Lenovo is quietly working to integrate its mobile, desktop and server hardware with a range of RMM (remote monitoring and management) and PSA (professional services automation) platforms for managed service providers. Frankly, I’m surprised we’re not hearing similar types of statements from more PC vendors. Here are some observations.
Let’s start with the work at Lenovo. According to Jay McBain, director of SMB, Lenovo’s managed services integration work involves key platforms from Autotask, ConnectWise, Kaseya, Level Platforms, N-able and Zenith Infotech, among others. McBain stopped short of discussing delivery dates but he said Lenovo is committed to broad MSP platform support.
McBain asserts that Lenovo has an advantage in the managed services market, since Lenovo’s R&D work has long included software to ease enterprise systems management. He points to Lenovo’s ThinkVantage Technologies as proof that the company understands how to drive down the total cost of owning and maintaining servers, desktops and mobile systems.
PCs and MSPs
Until now, most of the PC-MSP integration chatter has involved Intel’s vPro technology. That’s a solid first step for the PC market, but I’m surprised PC makers themselves haven’t been more vocal about their commitment to supporting MSPs.
In recent weeks, I’ve heard some chatter from Toshiba — which appears to be working on relationships with several RMM and PSA tool providers. And Dell is certainly connecting the dots between its hardware and managed services software (Silverback and Everdream). But Hewlett-Packard has been particularly quiet, and I need to circle back with them to see if their PC division is getting serious about MSP platform support.
Meanwhole, Lenovo has gone on the record with its integration strategy. Rival PC makers need to follow suit.
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Tags: Lenovo Autotask | Lenovo ConnectWise | Lenovo Jay McBain | Lenovo Kaseya | Lenovo Level Platforms | Lenovo Managed Services | Lenovo N-able | Lenovo Partner Program | Lenovo ThinkVantage | Lenovo Zenith Infotech | ThinkPad Autotask | ThinkPad ConnectWise | ThinkPad Kaseya | ThinkPad Level Platforms | ThinkPad N-able | ThinkPad Zenith Infotech
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We have not looked at lenovo for servers — only Thinkpads, but with Dell getting into managed Services – I’m going to take another look at Lenovo!
IT Support: Let us know what your reaction is once you look at those new server options. The VAR Guy isn’t hear to endorse any specific brands. But he’d welcome an update when you’re ready.
We just deployed our first Lenovo TD200 server. Initial observations, build quality appears good, lots of room for memory expansion, decent performance.
On the negative side, you are locked into Lenovo branded SATA drives at a crazy high price because of the custom drive rails that you can’t purchase seperately.