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As Auvik Networks Grows, SolarWinds MSP and NinjaRMM Make Moves

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Auvik CEO Marc Morin
Auvik Networks CEO Marc Morin

Auvik Networks continues to gain momentum as a network-centric RMM (remote monitoring and management) software provider. The company this morning confirmed new integrations with such MSP-centric platforms as Continuum's BrightGauge, Kaseya's IT Glue, Passportal and Warranty Master (backed by IT Glue founder Chris Day).

The integrations allow Auvik's MSPs to more easily leverage analytics, documentation, password management and warranty management services -- assuming the MSPs are running one or more of those third-party tools. Each integration leverages a new Auvik Inventory API -- which MSPs can also use to build their own integrations, the software company says.

Auvik, led by CEO Marc Morin, has been a rising star in the MSP software market. The company raised roughly US$15.6 million in early 2018, and then acquired Talaia for network traffic analytics software in late 2018.

SolarWinds MSP, NinjaRMM Promote Network Monitoring

Existing and potential Auvik rivals are taking notice. SolarWinds, for instance, has been extending its corporate network monitoring capabilities into its MSP software platforms, CEO Kevin Thompson mentioned on an earnings call last week.

Thompson told Wall Street analysts:

"During 2018, we expanded our remote monitoring and management capability for MSP by adding deeper network device monitoring that leverages IP from our network management product to providing MSPs with the ability to monitor switches, routers and firewalls from a single pane of glass."

LinkedIn: Dave Sobel, SolarWinds MSP
John Pagliuca, president, SolarWinds MSP
NinjaRMM CEO Salvatore Sferlazza
Kevin Thompson, CEO, SolarWinds

Thompson's statement wasn't surprising. Dave Sobel, SolarWinds MSP's senior director of MSP Evangelism, told partners in 2017 that network monitoring essentially was table stakes for the industry. And SolarWinds MSP GM John Pagliuca outlined the company's Netpath network performance plans for MSPs in mid-2018.

Meanwhile, NinjaRMM has quietly -- but rapidly -- attracted more than 2,000 MSPs onto its platform (as of September 2018 or so). CEO Salvatore Sferlazza and the executive team previously built and sold an RMM platform that was network-centric. And yes, network management is built into the current NinjaRMM code base.

Elsewhere, Kaseya has started to embed network-centric technologies into its flagship VSA platform for MSPs.

Competition, Convergence and RMM Tools

Bottom line: Auvik identified a key niche in the MSP software ecosystem. The company is growing rapidly. New integrations are arriving. But rivals are taking note, and some are making the case that traditional RMM tools will ultimately negate the need for separate network monitoring tools. We'll be watching to see how the market evolution plays out.

Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri is co-founder & editorial director of MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E, the two leading news & analysis sites for managed service providers in the cybersecurity market.