Martech
Thrive | November 08, 2023
The 2023 Channel Futures MSP 501 list recognizes leading global MSPs for their achievements in growth and innovation within a volatile business environment.
The accolade was conferred upon Thrive during the MSP 501 Awards Gala on November 1 at Fontainebleau Miami Beach in Florida.
The award recognizes Thrive's commitment to delivering advanced global cybersecurity programs with excellence.
Thrive, a distinguished managed services provider specializing in cybersecurity and digital transformation, has announced its recognition as The Channel Futures 2023 Managed Security Services Partner of the Year. The company excels at optimizing business outcomes through NextGen managed services and client security programs, employing its Thrive5 methodology.
The award underscores Thrive's dedication to delivering cutting-edge, comprehensive cybersecurity programs to global businesses. Its recognition as The Channel Futures 2023 Managed Security Services Partner of the Year reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding and empowering its clients with cybersecurity solutions.
Rob Stephenson, CEO of Thrive, said
We're honored to be recognized as The Channel Futures 2023 MSSP of the Year. This award reflects the hard work and dedication of our team to prioritize our clients' security needs.
[Source – Business Wire]
He further emphasized that in an era characterized by pervasive data breaches and cyber threats, Thrive adheres to its mission of delivering the utmost protection for businesses spanning North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region.
Thrive distinguishes itself from its industry peers due to its unique approach, which involves integrating cutting-edge tools, a 24/7 Security Operation Center staffed by vigilant experts, and advanced cybersecurity mesh automation systems, all aimed at enhancing the overall security posture of its clients. The company consistently demonstrates innovation, expertise, and a client-centric approach to streamline all security functions through its state-of-the-art SOAR and ServiceNow platforms, in contrast to the limited, point-in-time solutions many competitors offer.
This year's survey has seen one of the fiercest competitions in its history. Thrive has jumped to the 21st position on the 2023 Channel Futures MSP 501 rankings, a significant leap from its 2022 ranking at 50.
The MSP 501 ranking does not exclusively recognize MSPs based on their size and revenue; instead, it assesses organizations by considering criteria such as annual sales, recurring revenue, profit margins, revenue composition, growth, innovation, and the technologies they supported in the preceding year. The study also acknowledges their business acumen, best practices, and the consistent and reliable advice they provide to their customers.
MSPs worldwide regarded 2022 as a significant year, marked by increased investments by SMBs, the integration of cloud computing for hybrid workforce support, automation, AI development, M&A activities, and the elevation of MSPs to trusted business and technology experts in their roles as frontline employees. The providers featured in this list exemplify their commitment to driving progress within the MSP sector and the entire channel, ushering in a new wave of innovation.
Before the MSP 501 Gala, Rob Stephenson participated as a featured expert panelist in two distinguished sessions at the Channel Futures MSP Summit: 'Gaining an Edge in Cybersecurity with AI: A Channel Partners Playbook' and '(Almost) Everything You Need to Know About AI: Tips and Best Practices for Building AI Solutions Customers Actually Need.'
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Martech
Mindmatrix | November 07, 2023
Mindmatrix has enhanced the learning management module within its partner enablement platform. The upgraded LMS is an integral component of Mindmatrix's Bridge platform, which stands as the foremost partner enablement platform within the marketplace.
This enhancement will produce a more robust learning management system (LMS) to enhance partner learning, training, and certification effectiveness. Bridge's LMS module provides organizations with the capability to establish learning curricula, compile course catalogs, and develop diverse training as well as educational materials directly within the platform. Subsequently, these assets can be distributed to their sales teams and channel partners. Moreover, it empowers companies to configure live classrooms or instructor-led virtual training sessions.
Bridge's comprehensive LMS integrates with external learning experiences, including web-based training sessions, virtual classrooms, and even classroom sessions facilitated by instructors. This LMS module also closely aligns with partner incentives, scoring mechanisms, and recognition protocols, such as badges and awards. Consequently, organizations can acknowledge exceptional performances by their esteemed partners.
The LMS offers a diverse array of reports to both instructors (representing companies) and students (comprising salespeople and channel partners). At the corporate level, individuals can access reports that include sign-up statistics, attendee records, candidate outcomes, instances of non-attendance, pending evaluations, and registrants with suspended participation.
The upgraded module will integrate with Bridge's data and analytics, enabling companies to assess training effectiveness and enhance partner learning experiences. Furthermore, Mindmatrix's integrated visibility tools and metrics assist in assessing educational coursework. This integration with analytics helps companies identify recurring challenges and patterns, such as lead loss, prompting them to take corrective actions or offer further coaching and training for improved results.
About Mindmatrix
Mindmatrix, a PRM and partner marketing software provider, assists companies in accelerating sales processes and boosts their marketing effectiveness. It offers a unique, fully integrated platform known as Bridge, which unifies and empowers various aspects of business operations, spanning direct and indirect sales, marketing efforts, alliances, and partner ecosystems. This innovative platform extends its influence beyond traditional boundaries, catering to not only sales ecosystem enablement but also partner marketing and multi-vendor solutions management, all to optimize business success.
About Bridge
Bridge, a product by Mindmatrix, is a unified platform that simplifies sales ecosystem enablement by combining the capabilities of PRM software, partner marketing software, and partner and direct sales enablement software. It extends its reach to encompass partner marketing and multi-vendor solutions management, offering a personalized collaboration platform for shared marketing, sales, and service experiences.
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Channel Partnerships
Meltwater | November 06, 2023
Doug Balut has consecutively received the CRN Channel Chiefs Award in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
He led global teams and forged partnerships with organizations such as SAP, Accenture, Deloitte, IBM, and Intel, among others.
At Meltwater, Doug Balut will be crucial in growing the company and enhancing client satisfaction through partner programs and strategic relationships.
Meltwater, which empowers companies with solutions spanning media, social, consumer, and sales intelligence, has announced the appointment of Doug Balut as Senior Vice President of Global Alliances and Partnerships.
In this new position, Doug Balut will be cultivating a dynamic partner network, establishing a resilient channel sales structure, and formulating go-to-market strategies. These initiatives are all geared toward advancing the company's expansion, enhancing customer value, and reinforcing its standing as a comprehensive set of enterprise-grade solutions.
Doug Balut possesses over 25 years of experience in the technology industry, with a strong background in building and leading strategic alliances, channel sales, and business development within the SaaS sector. Before this, he worked as Senior Vice President of Global Alliances at Sprinklr. During his tenure at Sprinklr, he was pivotal in establishing a partner organization and successfully implementing a growth-oriented methodology, culminating in Sprinklr's IPO in 2021. Before his time at Sprinklr, he held various leadership positions in sales, both in direct sales and indirect partner sales, at Cisco. He directed teams on a global scale and established collaborations with entities like SAP, Accenture, Deloitte, IBM, and Intel, among others.
John Box, CEO of Meltwater, remarked
I am thrilled to welcome Doug Balut to the Meltwater team as our new SVP of Alliances and Partnerships. He has a proven track record of driving revenue growth, expanding market reach, and creating value for customers and partners.
[Source – Meltwater]
John Box emphasized that Doug Balut will be pivotal in fortifying the company's partner ecosystem and expediting its worldwide expansion. He added that the company anticipates a fruitful collaboration with Doug Balut to provide clients with excellent media, social, and consumer intelligence solutions.
Doug Balut expressed his enthusiasm upon joining Meltwater, expressing his profound excitement about the opportunity to establish a novel partner ecosystem in support of Meltwater's growth and enterprise transformation initiatives. He emphasized that the current moment is opportune for directing attention toward expanding large accounts on a global scale, marking the next phase in Meltwater's dynamic history. He acknowledged that partnerships serve as a driving force for this expansion and affirmed his readiness to construct an organizational framework and a network of influential partners to facilitate the attainment of these objectives.
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