ConnectWise Plans More Convergence With LabTech, Quosal
ConnectWise is poised to create a more converged business automation suite leveraging ConnectWise, LabTech and Quosal, said ConnectWise CEO Arnie Bellini in a keynote address at the company's IT Nation 2011 conference in Orlando.
Bellini used an example in which a solution provider's field technician goes to a client site and comes back with a list of items to be replaced for fixed in a reactive manner. Soon, that MSP using LabTech can implement policies that identify any piece of hardware or software older than a specified date to be replaced. That information is automatically transferred into Quosal to create a quote for replacement equipment and the quote is then assigned to a sales person through ConnectWise.
"That is how we're going to get a 10x multiplier in the number of opportunities our sales people are closing," Bellini said. "We say we're the trusted advisor and we'll take care of infrastructure. It's enforcing policies that you set up."
Although Bellini pointed out an example using those three companies, the latter two having received investment from ConnectWise Capital, the APIs used to connect the dots will be available to any other RMM or quoting solutions developer too, he said.
"If you're a Level Platforms client, the same APIs will be available to Level Platforms, and N-able [Technologies] and Zenith [RMM]. Whatever you're using, we're innovating and looking to create new ways to create new things together because the APIs are open," Bellini said.
ConnectWise's cozy relationship with LabTech and Quosal has caused some uneasiness with a few partners using competitive solutions, but Bellini said the investments in those two companies is meant to drive innovation for everyone in the hcannel
"We have to have the control of the development roadmap of a company to perfect this. We do have control with LabTech. If you don't go to LabTech, [partners] have gone back to their vendors and got way better pricing and support because we changed the industry," Bellini said, drawing applause from some solution providers in the crowd. "It's the truth. And it's the same thing on the quoting side. If you've got QuoteWerks, there's APIs from QuoteWerks. We've gone to companies to try to get a greater connection."
Bellini further tried to downplay any worries about competing with partners, noting that "Kaseya is trying to start a PSA solution" to compete with ConnectWise.
"Don't worry about competition. That's good for the IT nation. It gets pricing and support where it should be and creates massive innovation. We drive innovation forward to create solutions," Bellini said.
Bellini used an example in which a solution provider's field technician goes to a client site and comes back with a list of items to be replaced for fixed in a reactive manner. Soon, that MSP using LabTech can implement policies that identify any piece of hardware or software older than a specified date to be replaced. That information is automatically transferred into Quosal to create a quote for replacement equipment and the quote is then assigned to a sales person through ConnectWise.
Next: ConnectWise 2012 Roadmap
"That is how we're going to get a 10x multiplier in the number of opportunities our sales people are closing," Bellini said. "We say we're the trusted advisor and we'll take care of infrastructure. It's enforcing policies that you set up."
Bellini also received applause—and asked for applause—for numerous other new features including a revamping of the user interface to fit on a tablet and more multilingual capability. Another feature that was well-received by partners was the ability to have a complete history of invoices for clients, including a "pay now" button on a new customer portal.
"That will help you with collection. If it's past due, it shows up in red and shows up with a 'pay now' button for customers to pay. With that, you're adding workflow rules to look at accounts and say this is past due, and automatically send an e-mail with a link to the portal to pay now. And if you have QuickBooks you can synchronize paid invoices back into ConnectWise," Bellini said.
Talking about great works of art in the Renaissance, Bellini noted that we're in an IT renaissance with great works of art being created by Apple, Google, Facebook and more before adding ConnectWise to that group of innovators.
"My point to you is there will be great works of art and we will be the ones to understand the underlying technology and how to apply it to businesses," Bellini said.