Spiceworks Adds Features To Help Managed Service Providers (MSPs) Manage Multiple Client Networks
Spiceworks Adds Features to Help Managed Service Providers (MSPs) Manage Multiple Client Networks
Free Software Integrates Centralized Help Desk with Time and Cost Tracking for Client Sites
Recently at the CompTIA Breakaway 2010 conference, Spiceworks, Inc. announced the release of a new version of its free IT management software with features specifically designed to help Managed Service Providers (MSPs) better service their client networks.
Some of the top new capabilities requested by the 150,000 IT service providers using Spiceworks include customizable client portals as well as a centralized help desk that allows multiple client service requests to be managed from a single console. In addition, the upgraded help desk provides ways for MSPs to track and bill for time and new technology purchases authorized by clients. These features are available in the latest beta release of Spiceworks 5.0 and can be downloaded for free at www.spiceworks.com/5.0. Live demos of the new version will be provided at CompTIA Breakaway conference booth number 1114/1116.
"Managed Service Providers no longer have to pay thousands of dollars for software to run their businesses and manage client networks," said Scott Abel, co-founder and CEO of Spiceworks. "The multi-client centralized help desk was the number one feature requested by our MSP user community. By including it in the latest release of Spiceworks, more MSPs can get into the business and existing ones can expand the services they offer."
Spiceworks is enabling ‘Social IT' by combining network management, network monitoring and help desk software with a rapidly growing and active Facebook-like community of IT professionals. Organizations of all sizes use the free Spiceworks IT management software and integrated online community to collaborate with each other and support the management of both cloud-based and on-premise technology products and services. Additional details on the new capabilities available to MSPs in this latest release of Spiceworks include:
- Centralized Help Desk – allows MSPs to manage help desk tickets for multiple clients through a single console, including the ability to assign tickets by client, priority and other attributes. Help desk requests use Active Directory for authentication and SSL for encryption.
- Custom Client Portals – give IT service providers the ability to create a custom portal and email alias for each client.
- Ticket Time & Billing Tracking – lets MSPs track the time spent on service tickets and the cost for each along with any associated equipment purchase costs. Reports can be exported for invoicing and accounting purposes.
- Help Desk Management Dashboard – gives service provider executives a simple way to manage and track the help desk activity their organization is overseeing, including team member ticket assignment and productivity information.
"Spiceworks has revolutionized how we do business by eliminating the cost of the software we need to serve more clients and grow," said Lawrie Dalman, IT Director, Lawrie Dalman Consulting. "The newest features are specifically designed to make it simple for us to manage multiple client sites from one Spiceworks installation, which will help us to greatly expand our business."
With more than 1 million users – including 150,000 IT service providers – in 196 countries, Spiceworks is the most widely deployed and fastest growing IT management application in history. The Spiceworks user community currently supports 35 million workers, manages 60 million computers and devices, and spends over $180B annually on technology products and services.
About Spiceworks
Founded in 2006, Spiceworks develops the first free social IT management application that combines network management and help desk software with a "Facebook-like" online community of IT professionals to help over 1 million IT pros and 150,000 IT service providers simplify everything IT. Spiceworks makes it easy for businesses to manage IT products and services on-premise or in the cloud, collaborate to solve technology problems, and find the IT knowledge and products they need day-to-day. Through its Voice of IT market research program, the company enables direct conversations with IT professionals, conducts surveys and provides insight on important technology usage, staffing and purchasing trends by small and medium businesses worldwide. Spiceworks is a privately held company headquartered in Austin, Texas with funding from Institutional Venture Partners (IVP), Austin Ventures and Shasta Ventures. For more information visit www.spiceworks.com.
SOURCE: Spiceworks