Channel Brief: CompTIA ChannelCon, New Marketplaces and Partnerships

A. Today’s Tech, Channel and MSP News

We made it through RSA week -- it's finally Friday! If you're heading home, travel safely. And once you've caught up on sleep, drop me a note and let me know what you thought. What products, services, trends, successes and failures did you see at the show?

And while travel is likely the last thing on your mind, if you're planning to attend CompTIA's ChannelCon in late July, check out the just-released agenda. It looks to be a great time filled with informative sessions and opportunities for networking, too.

Today we're talking about B2B commerce company AppDirect's acquisition of Builtfirst, which takes a low-code/no-code approach to setting up and deploying marketplaces. As more organizations want to access services through a marketplace, this acquisition seems like a solid foundation for growth for these companies.

We're also interested in Censys's Security Integration Marketplace, which allows security teams to onboard any integration with any vendor in the marketplace in less than 15 minutes, and the UK's Infinity Group's takeover of Pax8's end customer business. Finally, software and services provider N-able reported first-quarter results, and they were strong -- revenue increased 14% year-over-year.

Are you an MSP that partners with public cloud service providers? It's time for you to step up and get recognized. ChannelE2E opened its annual Top 250 Public Cloud MSPs survey. This is the survey that we use to create our annual Top 250 Public Cloud MSPs ranked list. Here's the link to participate.

And don't forget to submit your idea for a session at the upcoming MSSP Alert Live event! MSSP Alert Live is the premiere cybersecurity event for MSPs and MSSPs. (You can submit your proposal here.) We’re looking for speakers like you who want to share insights and experience and wisdom with peers.

Please check out our industry Mergers and Acquisitions list, updated daily, with an archive that goes all the way back to 2020. Check out the whole thing here. Scroll down for a quick view of upcoming in-person channel and MSP events at the bottom of this post (while we spiff up our industry calendar behind the scenes. It will return!)

And please send your news tips, information, and industry chatter to senior managing editor [email protected].

1. CompTIA Releases Agenda for ChannelCon: CompTIA released this year's ChannelCon 2024 agenda. Check it out here and plan your days around four engaging educational tracks designed to meet your specific needs: MSP Success, Cybersecurity, Community and Vendor Education.

2. Infinity Group Partners With Pax8: Computer Weekly reported that UK's Infinity Group entered into a strategic partnership with cloud marketplace provider Pax8 and acquired its end-customer business, formerly part of Bam Boom Cloud. The acquisition brings 200 Business Central customers into Infinity Group’s existing base of 340 clients, according to a statement from the companies. The acquisition establishes Infinity Group as one of the largest independently owned Business Central partners in the UK. This sits alongside their practices in the areas of Microsoft security, modern workplace, data and AI and customer engagement. 

3. AppDirect Buys Builtfirst: B2B commerce platform AppDirect acquired Builtfirst, a leader in self-service marketplace platform technology. Adding the Builtfirst platform into AppDirect’s suite of solutions expands AppDirect's ability to help companies of all sizes create and deploy their own marketplaces. Builtfirst takes a low-code/no-code approach to getting a marketplace up and running in a matter of minutes and focuses on self-service and user-friendly accessibility. As a subscription commerce platform, AppDirect will offer Builtfirst customers additional benefits and new functionality, like the ability to leverage components of AppDirect’s digital commerce platform.

4. Censys Launches Security Integration Marketplace: In more marketplace-related news, threat hunting and attack surface management platform company Censys has launched the Censys Integrations Marketplace, which allows security teams to onboard any integration with any vendor in the marketplace in less than 15 minutes, the company said. The Censys Integrations Marketplace currently offers 14 tailored integrations with specific vendors, including both security and non-security solutions. Through Censys' Rapid Integrations program, customers also can request new integrations that can be added to the marketplace in weeks, Censys said.

5. N-able Earnings Show Strong Start to 2024: Global software and IT services company N-able had a strong Q1 2024, the company reported during an earnings call yesterday. First-quarter 2024 revenue increased 14% year-over-year, and full-year constant currency revenue outlook was raised to 10%-11% YoY growth, according to the company. The full-year 2024 adjusted EBITDA margin outlook is 35%. “We are pleased with our performance in the quarter, again exceeding our guidance on the top and bottom lines,” said N-able CFO Tim O’Brien in a prepared statement. “There are encouraging indicators that our expanded product portfolio is resonating with customers, and we continue to innovate while delivering robust profitability." You can find more details here in the statement on N-able's site.

MSSP Alert Live Call for Papers and Top 250 Public Cloud MSPs

MSSP Alert Live CFP: Are you a thought leader in managed services or managed security services, or do you have a unique approach to an important topic that could help other MSPs or MSSPs? We’re looking for speakers like you to be part of our MSSP Alert Live program for 2024. MSSP Alert Live, the premiere cybersecurity event for MSPs and MSSPs, has opened its call for papers. (You can submit yours here.) We’re looking for speakers like you who want to share insights and experience and wisdom with peers.

Time for Cloud MSPs to get recognized: Are you an MSP that works with public cloud providers? It’s time to get recognized for your work. ChannelE2E opened its annual survey for the Top 250 Public Cloud MSPs. If your MSP practice includes working with a public cloud provider, this survey is for you. Participation is free. The survey closes in June. Submit your MSP today here for recognition! Our list will be released this summer.

B. In-Person MSP and Channel Partner Events