Penton's MSPmentor Announces 2016 MSP 501 Survey and Rankings Is Open for Submissions

NEW YORK, Feb. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Penton's MSPmentor is proud to announce the 2016 edition of the MSP 501, the IT channel's largest and most comprehensive ranking of leading managed service provider (MSP) organizations worldwide, is open for submissions.

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First unveiled in 2007, the 2016 edition includes a number of improvements and refinements to ensure that the annual ranking is the most complete, precise and forward-looking study available on the managed service provider market. This year's study will hone in on the business models, technologies, vertical markets and customers segments that MSP companies leverage most.

The 2016 MSP 501 will also leverage a new and improved methodology that will be made publicly available for the first time. By making its ranking algorithm known to all, MSPmentor will establish the universal benchmark by which MSP organizations can be compared, year after year.

"For years the MSP 501 has been the industry's most widely recognized ranking of leading MSP organizations," said T.C. Doyle, Senior Director of Content with Penton Technology's Channel brands including MSPmentor, The VAR Guy, Talkin' Cloud, The WHIR and Web Hosting Talk. "For 2016, we have overhauled our methodology to increase transparency and reduce ambiguity. As a result, companies vying to be on the list will understand what makes one organization rank higher than another, and why some capabilities and business models are valued more than others."

Additionally, the 2016 MSP 501 edition will account for significant market transitions that have occurred over past few years to provide better and more meaningful insights into the MSP, cloud services and VAR solution provider community. To achieve greater accuracy and thoroughness, Penton Technology has teamed up with Clarity Channel Advisors to help produce the 2016 MSP 501 survey. Working with the Clarity Intelligence Partners, MSPmentor will leverage a streamlined method for submitting data this year that not only ensures greater accuracy but also preserves the confidentiality that MSPs who apply for the MSP 501 have come to rely on.

"While the MSP 501 list has always been a reliable barometer of the state of the MSP market, it has lacked a level of precision required to provide a more definitive benchmark," said Clarity founder and CEO Jim Lippie, who was a former MSP 501 business leader before establishing his data information services company. "Together with Penton, we're making positive changes to ensure the information collected in the survey is the most comprehensive and verifiable data available anywhere. Doing so will yield more actionable insights that the community can leverage to better run their businesses."

"The partnership with Clarity Intelligence Partners will significantly enhance the value of the MSP 501 list to the community," said Marcia Parker, Executive Director, Content for Penton Technology. "It will also provide MSPs an opportunity to work closely and get to know Aldrin Brown, our new Content Director overseeing MSPmentor."

To participate in the 2016 study, service providers should navigate to the official 2016 MSP 501 web site, where they will find a link to the streamlined 501 survey application form. Clicking on the form will connect partners to the Clarity Intelligence Platform, where they can submit their information in a confidential and secure way. Penton and Clarity will accept applications beginning Feb. 25, 2016 through March 31, 2016. (As a bonus this year, every participating service provider will receive 30 days of free access to the Clarity Intelligence Platform, which is a data analysis service that provides detailed information about important MSP benchmarks.)

To help companies better understand how to apply and benefit from participating in the MSP 501, MSPmentor will host a webinar featuring Penton Technology's T.C. Doyle and Clarity Intelligence Partners' Jim Lippie on February 25th, 2016. During the live call-in event, partners will be able to ask questions on methodology, rankings and more.

After the survey closes on March 31, MSPmentor and Clarity will tabulate the results and publish the 2016 MSP 501 ranking on May 2, 2016. An in-depth series on the MSP 501 survey, complete with insights from Penton Technology and Clarity, will be available on MSPmentor then. Penton Technology will also host a live webinar on May 2^nd announcing the results.

Whether your company is a full-time MSP or offers managed services in addition to selling cloud services, project-oriented professional services, hardware or consulting, this is your opportunity to stand up and be recognized among the industry's leading businesses.

ABOUT PENTON TECHNOLOGY 
Our seasoned Penton Technology journalists and network of industry experts and thought leaders are dedicated to helping our audience of more than 10+ million professionals do their jobs well every day.  Our Channel properties, MSPmentor, The VAR Guy, Talkin' Cloud, The WHIR and Web Hosting Talk, cover expert advice, news and analysis, insights and business strategies that solution and service providers need to serve the enterprise, mid markets and small businesses.  Penton Tech also offers a host of premier networking and professional development opportunities, including conferences, events and education, as well as custom content marketing service.

ABOUT PENTON
Penton is an innovative information services company that empowers nearly 20 million business decision makers in markets that drive more than $12 trillion in purchases each year. Our products inform with rich industry insights and workflow tools; engage through dynamic events, education and networking; and advance business with powerful marketing services programs. Penton is the way smart businesses buy, sell and grow.

Headquartered in New York, Penton is privately owned by MidOcean Partners and Wasserstein & Co., LP. For more information, visit http://www.penton.com or follow us on Twitter @PentonNow.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather Sperling
Director, Marketing 
Penton Technology  
[email protected]

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