Best products from r/msp

If you haven't already, checkout Built to Sell (https://www.amazon.ca/Built-Sell-Creating-Business-Without-ebook/dp/B004IYISQW)

This book echo's what we've seen in the market (4 - 5 times pretax profit). A strategic buyer is of course more likely to pay towards the higher end, especially if your day to day runs smoothly and new business can be generated without you putting in 12+ hour days.

Also - a strategic buyer may be more inclined to normalize your draw and add that back to the pretax profit for valuation purposes.

No matter where you are in your business the book is worth a read. It's pretty engaging to read as it's done in a story style narrative that borrows from the authors own experiences.

In the hour or two it takes to read, you are sure to get some inspiration on how you can improve the productization of your service offering and let yourself focus on what's going to maximize the value of your business in the long run.

Cheers!

yes those are great, or to save a few bucks something like this https://www.amazon.com/12in-Mounting-Bracket-Patch-Panel/dp/B000VDPBXM/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1536185244&sr=1-3&keywords=6u+network+shelf

We keep these types in stock and 3U ones since they're so cheap and it really helps when we onboard new clients and spend that extra hour cleaning up their wire mess.

Just make sure its deep enough for your switch with the power cord. Many times we install and it looks great, then the power cord pops out 3" too far in the back and we have to order another shelf.

If you do TnM you will never have any leverage in the business. Even if you're a one man show you'll struggle to take a vacation. If you build a large business your revenue will always be trading dollars for hours.

The MSP model, while tougher to get started, will get you much further in the long run. You should try to create 3-6mths of buffer to get started, it won't happen overnight, but don't get discouraged. You can shorten this period if you win a client before leaving your current job.

This doesn't mean you can't build up some TnM clients before you start to sell an MSP offering, just don't get stuck there forever.

• Build your plan
  
• Determine your pricing
  
• Talk to everyone you know about what you can do for their technology needs
  
• Prosper
  
  I have a blog post about what the "best" MSP pricing model is you can check it out here.
  
  Karl Palachuck has this book that would be helpful. The book has some specifics about what to include and how to price etc.
  
  Tech Tribe would be useful as well. Currently closed, but can register for the waiting list. Tech Tribe is run by Nigel Moore, who you can listen to interviewed here. He also has a book coming out that details the specifics of building a pricing plan.

> sforming from break-fix to monthly contracts. How do you price the monthly contracts, what do clients get? 2) I'd like to scale employee-wise. Meaning, I'd like to have a number of techs working along-side me. How do they get paid, as a salary?

I'm currently reading it, almost finished, like 30 pages only left but when I started reading it, I quickly bought also the The E-Myth (revisited edition) from Micheal Gerber. You should definitively read it too. I'm a tech on the break/fix model since the last 9 years and in the next months I will switch to a MSP model. Other quick recommandation if you need help/inspiration to create your service agreement, buy also the Service Agreements for SMB Consultants, from the same author of Managed Service in a month. Definitively worth the money and time to read it.

Great! I would recommend starting with The EMyth Revisited and Fanatical Prospecting. Both books are great to give you some good tools to start out with and put you in the right mindset to succeed. I like Managed Services in a Month as well, but realistically if you've worked in the industry at established MSPs, there's not a lot groundbreaking there. It's a good re-affirmation, though.

Yea, that is what I thought. Thanks for your feedback. We just started using this printer: https://www.amazon.com/Brother-VC-500W-Versatile-Wireless-Networking/dp/B07KWW7RH6/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=label+printer+color&qid=1555972307&s=gateway&sr=8-3

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We are putting them on the top of the lid on the laptop for both the customer and it has our number and email address. We put it on so when open someone the lid then someone sitting across from them will see our info. Acts as advertisement for us and at the same time provides support for the end user and lost and found info for someone that might recover it.

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The labels are waterproof, scratch proof and have a gloss to them. They seem to be pretty tough. Time will tell!

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Also for naming conventions we name all laptops wireless-## and Desktop-##. Servers get names based on the roles like companyfileserver or companysqlserver. We never name a device after a person just for the reasons mentioned.

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Thanks again! J

I love the Ubiquiti Unifi POE switches for VoIP. Easy to configure, simple vlan implementation (just use Unifi's default vlan mechanism, untagged access port with PVID, no need to set vlan ID's on the phones).

But for VoIP, the more important thing is the router/firewall/UTM, and the configurations that may be specific to each vendor.

A tip: if you want your networking gears to run nice and cool with minimum risk of failure, grab some 120mm USB fans like this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G05A2MU/ and put one on top of each of your POE switch/router/firewall etc. Those things tend to run hot, because they're usually minimally or passively cooled, and heat is your no.1 enemy for electronics. With a simple inexpensive fan like that sitting on top (the model I linked is also whisper quiet), each of your boxes will easily drop 10C in temperature or more. I have one for each one of my Mikrotik CCR routers, SonicWall UTMs and Unifi switches, even on some Unifi APs, all running soothingly cool.

I have a small problem in that I like a lot of different kids of bags for various things. It's not just that either. I like a nice and well made leather messenger bag, too.

What really matters though is durability and utility. I've had a Spire Endo messenger bag that I've had for 8+ years and it still appears nearly new. I do take care of it but not much. My coworker has the same bag and the only part that's worn on his is the shoulder pad.

http://www.spire-bags.com/laptop_bags.php

I've put massive weight into this thing and it holds it. It's fairly water resistant. No rips or tears. You can ride a bike with it (waist strap). It'll attach to a roller suitcase. It can hold a water bottle. You can zip things away into deep pockets that pick-pockets are unlikely to get into.

However, this is not a tool bag which is what I see a lot of people talking about. Still, I thought I'd mention it. Part of me wants a new bag but I can't justify spending more money when I have a perfectly nice and nearly new one still.

EDIT: I almost forgot, my toolbag of choice is this CLC bag with side zip open pockets. It's big though, which means heavy when loaded with tools. However, I also use a collapsable hand cart or 4 wheel dolly to get in and out of buildings when I have boxes of cable and other supplies.
http://www.amazon.com/Custom-LeatherCraft-1539-Multi-Compartment-Carrier/dp/B000EDTSZG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1458743396&sr=8-4&keywords=clc+bag

Ended up researching into a bag and eventually found one I think will work well.

I will link to everything I've found on amazon. I have found others on our distributors website. Hopefully this will help others put together something as well!

Bag

SATA Adapter

Toolkit

Toner/Fox and Hound

Small LED Flashlight

Velcro Wire Ties - Zip ties are awful

Network Kit

External HDD

Analog Phone - For testing Fax Lines mainly

There's more, such as cables and things, but everyone should be OK with figuring that out for yourselves. Total the kit (with cables and stuff included) is only about $370.91 per technician.

Hope this helps someone!

This guy is in all of my bags. I also carry a North Face Surge 2, it's pretty solid, has a lot of pockets, the laptop pouch is lined so my device never gets scratched up. I have some velcro cable ties that have been very useful at times, but I also go into a lot of rack rooms still.

I agree with the comfy shoes, and I also carry some hand sani and wipes.

I use a small THREE PRONG shop vac (1.5 gal when Im on site, 15 gal in office)


Im not worried about any static from the grounded motor, and the hoses are all plastic (to make one of my techs STFU about the arguments seen in this thread I even did a resistance and continuity test on the hose with a multi meter)


I will also recommend this:

https://www.amazon.com/Chemical-Guys-Acc_663-Master-Detailing/dp/B0182GXPJG/ref=sr_1_12?keywords=Detailer+Brush&qid=1575088980&s=beauty&sr=1-12

and these:

https://www.amazon.com/Detailing-Cotton-Swabs-Count-Detail/dp/B07KVPT6V8/ref=sr_1_35?keywords=Detailer+Brush&qid=1575088980&s=beauty&sr=1-35

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the swabs are good to reach through the fan and brush the top of heat sinks as well as hold the fan when vacuuming.

Only one title of overlap, nice.
Out of your list, where would you start? Have you read any other in our original list?



Built to Sell, John Warrillow

The Automatic Customer, John Warrillow

How to Sell at Margins Higher Than Your Competitors, Lawrence Steinmetz

Start With Why, Simon Sinek

Leaders Eat Last, Simon Sinek

The E-Myth Revisited, Michael Gerber

Selling the Invisible, Harry Beckwith

What Clients Love, Harry Beckwith

Question Based Selling, Tom Freese

You're at best going to slow someone down. Nothing like this is going to stop someone with tools and time from stealing the hardware. I'm guessing the hardware isn't the real liability and instead the data is. In that case I recommend focusing instead on implementing automated full system disk Encryption using TPM.

But if you just want a visual deterrent that would slow someone a bit, some nonprofits I've worked with have just Epoxied something like these surface mount D-Rings to the server:

https://www.amazon.com/SPEP-com-Pack-Ring-Steel-Tie-Downs/dp/B07H949WCL/ref=sr_1_11?keywords=surface+mount+D+Ring&qid=1571172791&sr=8-11

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Then used a cable to lock it to another mount on the floor or a wall. Personally, if I were going through the hassle of some DIY solution like this, I would also push for putting in a basic security camera targetting the server.

The only book that I've read (currently reading) is Managed services in a month, haven't got to the part where they (if they) talk about that stuff. You're well established so I'm not sure if it would help you.

Still a GREAT book! Here's the link:https://www.amazon.com/Managed-Services-Month-Successful-Business/dp/0981997856/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1473283679&sr=1-1&keywords=managed+services+in+a+month

I'm currently studying for an HCISPP certificate and have found the following to be a pretty good guide to all things healthcare security related (not only HIPAA):

https://www.amazon.com/Healthcare-Information-Security-Privacy-All/dp/0071831797

It's an older book but this one is still got some great tips:

https://www.amazon.ca/Time-Management-System-Administrators-Working/dp/0596007833

My favorites are:

https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Online-Customer-Service-Guide/dp/0470637706

https://www.amazon.com/Thank-You-Economy-Gary-Vaynerchuk/dp/0061914185

and Jeff Toister's books https://www.toistersolutions.com/books

I'd be happy to send you a copy of The Ultimate Customer Service Guide and one of Jeff's books.

If you want to start your own business, read this book: http://smile.amazon.com/E-Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/0887307280/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427331465&sr=8-1

It's all about people like you and me. Technicians (people who do things, bake pies, make widgets, repair sofas) who want to break out of working for someone else and start their own business. The problem is that most Technicians don't know anything about running a business. It was a real eye opener for me. Karl Palachuk says it's the one book he'd get every business owner to read if he could and I agree.

You might need a few more years under your belt before starting your own MSP, though. Right now the work seems easy because it's all technical work and it's handed to you. You sit at your desk and the tickets show up. When you run your own business, you have to find that work, sign clients up, chase down payments, everything. It's all on you. You'll likely need to transition out of the technical role altogether at some point.

I have a Ono laptop bag and a legal box with folder separators that can organize all my cables and my equipment. This is the smallest setup I have come up with and is easy to pull out of my truck. I also have this bag for my more advanced tools and small pieces.

Custom Leathercraft Custom LeatherCraft 1529 16-Pocket, 16-Inch Center Tray Tool Bag https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0001ZI4K2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_.2I7BbCKF3ST5

I love this bag for tools when needed...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001ZI4K2/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Your audible link takes me to a redirect and just shows the main page, is this the book you are referring to? Managed Services in a Month - Build a Successful It Service Business in 30 Days - 2nd Ed

This is a great book, you should get it.

And, if you're starting out, get Managed Services in a Month https://amzn.com/0981997856

You want cheap? Here you go - Get a Google Voice number and port it into Anveo (https://anveo.com/enter.asp). While that port is happening, go purchase a Obi 110 (https://www.amazon.com/OBi202-2-Port-Adapter-Support-Service/dp/B007D930YO/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=obi110&qid=1554225574&s=gateway&sr=8-1). Once the port is complete you can configure Anveo cloud PBX (full features). We just use our two main lines for spam filtering really. We never pay for inbound, just outbound calls. I think I put a $50 credit on the account last year and we still have credit. Of course like I say, we really just use ti for spam filtering. Thats about the least expensive way to go.

I haven't tried it yet but I have been looking at getting the Klein Tradesman Pro Tech Bag. I have also heard good things about the Veto Pro Pac XLT Laptop-Tool Bag but it is way more than I need.

Why not put together something like this?


https://www.amazon.com/Fanless-Desktop-Computer-x5-Z8350-Processor/dp/B07F1MM92S/ref=zg_bs_13896591011_17?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=KWRZWRVQA6JC6D195RW0

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Just slap whatever SSD you want in it. Its fanless so no moving parts the PC should last years for the low low cost.

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Slap some double sided velcro to it and attach it to the bottom of a switch, wall or right to a small rack. Simple and easy. Just test and make sure you can turn it on remotely or your cleint's have access to push the power button should it lose power.

I use this every time. But you MUST turn off any electronic device you want to blow dust out of it, it's powerful.

https://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-ED500P-500-Watt-Electric/dp/B001U899HQ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Metro+Vacuum+ED500P+DataVac+500-Watt%2C+0.75-HP+Electric+Duster&qid=1574714913&s=hi&sr=1-1-catcorr

If they are so concern about time, I'd do it at after hours and charge different rate.

I wanted one that closed completely and got this: https://smile.amazon.com/Custom-LeatherCraft-1539-Multi-Compartment-Carrier/dp/B000EDTSZG?ie=UTF8&colid=1BA4GBUZ6Q3IW&coliid=I3DU78ADDZS3Y&ref_=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl

I love it, really sturdy and easy to use.

This. Well i listened to the audiobook on the way into work!

I bought this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EDTSZG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

I got my eye on https://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-55455M-Tradesman-Tech/dp/B00G0KY7IK

The Foundation Bible of starting an MSP: Managed Services in a Month by Karl Palachuk Amazon Link

I'll also throw a vote in for Traction as a general business book.

And my personal people/team management bible that I bring into every company I work with: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team Amazon Link