Discussion is rife among critics across the world on the differences inherent in services marketing as opposed to traditional product marketing. Whilst some argue that they should be approached in a similar manner, the majority acknowledge the differing approaches required for the successful execution of  either in their respective markets. However, a clear cut strategy is made much more difficult when the lines between product and service become blurred. For instance, it’s reasonable to assume that a company with a cloud ‘product’, which is referred to and primarily marketed as a service, would address their marketing strategy differently from those companies which fall neatly into the traditional product or service box?

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Microsoft’s new billing model for 365, whereby they’re contacting and billing end-users directly, is not going down well with many MSPs and arguably rightly so.

Many MSPs are resistant to such a billing relationship as it means they lose that complete management control over their own customers IT which at the crux is what supplying a managed IT services is really all about. The 365 billing model means Microsoft have the opportunity to create a direct relationship with your customer (something you wouldn’t want another vendor or indeed ‘competitor’ do)  You’re effectively allowing third part involvement into your customer relationship and allowing Microsoft’s to cut into your revenues whilst they realistically offer you nothing in return? It doesn’t seem a great deal does it?

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As well as giving away two brand new iPads in 2011, at Maildistiller we’ve also attempted to tackle some of the pressing issues facing our MSP and Reseller partners and their customers! I’ve recapped on what I believe where (and in many cases still are) the top 12 cloud topics as covered by us in the year that was. Hope you enjoy.

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At Maildistiller we were as shocked as anyone by the emerging noise that Webroot are exiting the email market. Though nothing appears to be confirmed as yet the lack of a retraction statement to date from Webroot has fuelled the suggestions further and left both the market and their global partner base wondering.

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Back on the 9^th of November I attended a CompTIA conference in the Hilton Metropole Hotel London which covered a multitude of angles for the UK Channel community from trends and developments within the IT channel itself to workshops on learning, training and certification.

I followed the IT Channel track which covered some pretty interesting topics from current and emerging trends within the channel to the future of the managed services model. Obviously there was a lot more to take on board than a blog could do justice to but I did pick up on several stats and points from one of the sessions led by Seth Robinson (Director of Technology Analysis at CompTIA) which I thought you guys might find interesting!

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Maildistiller partners both old and new have had Santa come early with our fantastic Christmas savings.  With a whooping 60% saving on the Maildistiller Business RRP, our limited edition Festive Saver Package offering is most definitely going down a treat!

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Yesterday saw Impact Computing and Consulting named the lucky winners of the Maildistiller Halloween draw bagging themselves a brand new iPad2,  which given the response to the promotion from all our wonderful partners was no mean feat so well done guys.

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