At IT Nation, ConnectWise’s annual partner event and expo, the business software provider discussed how it plans to evolve its ecosystem of solutions for its partners. Keynoter ConnectWise CEO Arnie Bellini shared details on the company’s plan to help technology solution providers (TSPs) build efficiencies and drive growth across critical practice areas.
With 3,500 attendees at IT Nation, Bellini presented ConectWise as an integrated suite that features over 200 third-party integrations and is well positioned to expand the ecosystem for TSPs.
Better Billing, Cloud-Based Monitoring and Cisco Integration
ConnectWise recently unveiled a pilot program for ConnectWise Unite, a solution to help TSPs automate and streamline billing, while also providing cloud-based monitoring and management.
ConnectWise Unite allows Cisco partners to access and manage all Cisco Spark, Cisco Meraki, Cisco Umbrella and Cisco Stealthwatch solutions from a single management console.
[related]
TSPs can sign up for a free trial of ConnectWise Unite with Cisco, which runs through Jan. 1, 2018, according to a ConnectWise press release.
ConnectWise Unite is also designed for TSPs that use Amazon Web Services for their cloud-based management and billing of virtual machines and storage.
ConnectWise Unite solutions are built on the same foundation as ConnectWise CloudConsole, which provides partners with an all-in-one tool for Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft Azure cloud services.
Related: How to Convince Employees to Adopt New Software
“Our focus and passion for more than 35 years has been to find ways for TSPs to increase their efficiency, enhance visibility into their businesses and grow their businesses,” said Bellini.
“ConnectWise Unite does just that by drastically reducing the complexity and costs of managing multiple cloud solutions, while giving businesses of all sizes the ability to quickly reap the business advantages of recurring revenues.”
Teasing More ConnectWise Solutions
Coming in 2018, the ConnectWise Developer Kit will be used to make it simple and fast to connect to the platform, according to a ConnectWise press release.
“Our focus and passion for more than 35 years has been to find ways for TSPs to increase their efficiency, enhance visibility into their businesses and grow their businesses,” said Bellini.
It will allow development teams to quickly connect anything in the ecosystem to the ConnectWise platform.
The ConnectWise Developer Kit will provide a single pane of glass that unites our ecosystem.
Bellini said ConnectWise’s ongoing commitment to ensuring TSPs can choose which solutions work best for their businesses is the driving factor behind the idea of the ConnectWise Developer Kit.
“We understand that one-size-fits-all solutions are not practical in an ever-evolving ecosystem as diverse as the one in which TSPs exist,” he said.
“Giving our partners the choice to seamlessly integrate any solution they prefer with the ConnectWise platform allows them to take advantage of the single-pane-of-glass simplicity in a way that makes sense for their unique needs.”
New ConectWise Suite Features
Craig Fulton, chief product officer, also took the stage during today’s keynote to reveal several new enhancements and features of the suite.
ConnectWise Automate starts its transition to a web implementation, allowing for tighter integration between Automate and ConnectWise Manage.
“One of the many benefits of Perspective is what it means for our partners when it comes to training and staffing. Junior technicians can operate in the field with a senior technician’s support back in the office,” said Fulton.
The first two functions moving to the web are computer management and a new network map feature, both of which can be accessed from any device with a browser and without having to leave the service ticket.
These enhancements are expected to be available in the first quarter of 2018, according to the press release.
ConnectWise Perspective, an innovative addition to remote control functionality, will enable a smartphone video connection between a TSP’s customer and a technician, and will relay a live video feed from that customer’s smartphone to the technician.
Available in the second quarter of 2018, Perspective will enhance service delivery by auto scanning barcodes, recording session time, adding workstation information into tickets and more.
“One of the many benefits of Perspective is what it means for our partners when it comes to training and staffing. Junior technicians can operate in the field with a senior technician’s support back in the office,” said Fulton.
“Additionally, Perspective enables a customer to play the role of field technician, in conjunction with the communication back to a technician in the office.”
IT Nation is the largest annual event in the technology solutions provider industry. The three-day conference in Orlando brings together representatives that sell, service and support technology from across the globe.
This year’s IT Nation runs through November 10.
