Kaseya vs Auvik: Potential MSP Network Monitoring Software Showdown Looms -

Fred Voccola, CEO, Kaseya — Kaseya CEO Fred Voccola

Kaseya is integrating its Traverse network monitoring software directly into the company's flagship VSA platform, CEO Fred Voccola confirmed during the Kaseya Connect 2018 conference this morning in Las Vegas.

Instead of charging MSPs separately for a full-blown, standalone network monitoring system, it sounds like the Traverse integration will be priced as a per-agent extension for VSA, though ChannelE2E does note have exact pricing details.

Features and functions certainly vary from platform to platform. Although Voccola didn't mention any rivals by name, the move potentially positions Kaseya VSA and its massive MSP installed base as a head-on rival to Auvik Networks, the fast-growing, standalone provider of network-centric RMM software.

Auvik raised CAD$15 million (about US$11.79 million) in Series B funding in August 2017. The company's platform offers network-centric RMM for switches, routers, firewalls and WiFi controllers. I believe roughly 1,000 MSPs had embraced the cloud-based platform as of the close of 2017 or so. Key partners include most major RMM and PSA software providers.

Kaseya Traverse: Past, Present, Future

In stark contrast, Traverse's history involves a few speed bumps. Kaseya acquired Zyrion for its Traverse monitoring software in 2013. But the platform in recent years suffered from lack of focus amid ownership and management changes. Moreover, the company at times has positioned Traverse for network monitoring, and at other times for public cloud monitoring.

CEO Fred Voccola arrived in mid-2015, steadied the company, and began focusing on an overall software platform approach for MSPs. By mid-2018, Kaseya put renewed focus on several acquired assets as part of a Powered By campaign.

Next up, Kaseya is previewing a 1.0 version of Traverse integrated into VSA. Voccola concedes that the overall integration will require continued development, but he expects the integration to mature rapidly with a great MSP experience arriving by December 2018 or sooner. Also of note: It sounds like the network monitoring support will be priced as a per-agent extension of VSA, rather than forcing MSPs to pay for a completely additional network monitoring platform.

Traverse will still be available as a standalone offering as well, he added.

Auvik Networks' Perspectives

ChannelE2E reached out to Auvik Networks for comment about Kaseya's network monitoring-VSA move. In response, Alex Hoff, Auvik's VP, product and sales, offered this perspective:

"We view the integration of Traverse into VSA as continued validation that MSPs need better visibility into their client networks. Traverse is a powerful product with roots in the enterprise. MSPs can configure it to monitor almost anything. Auvik comes from an MSP-first development environment focused on deep functionality and ease of use. In addition to offering pre-configured monitoring across the multiple networks an MSP manages, Auvik provides real-time network mapping, inventory, and configuration backup.
Ultimately, MSPs will choose the product that best fits the needs of their business and client base. Kaseya and Auvik have a number of joint partners, and we will continue to work collaboratively with all vendors in the channel ecosystem."

Meanwhile, plenty of companies are warming up to network-centric MSP solutions. For instance, Datto promotes network-as-a-service solutions to MSPs; NinjaRMM has extensive know-how in the sector; SolarWinds has network know-how that will soon surface in the company's SolarWinds MSP division; and Cisco has a growing relationship with ConnectWise.