The Next Big Managed Service Provider?
The VAR Guy wonders: Is Autotask the next Salesforce.com? Autotask CEO Bob Godgart smiles when he’s asked that question, and avoids the temptation to say “yes.” But he knows Autotask is in growth mode.
The company, which develops managed services that help VARs run their businesses, recently moved into a state-of-the-art headquarters near Albany, N.Y. The relocation came at a critical time: Autotask has grown from 35 to 70 employees over the past year. And the company now has 1,000 customers, up from less than 100 a few years ago.
VARs certainly seem to like Autotask’s managed services. In fact, one VAR liked the online software so much that he traveled from Texas to help Autotask deploy a ShoreTel phone system within the company’s new offices.
Those who tour Autotask’s new home are sure to be impressed. Oval workspaces, plasma TVs and collaborative work areas provide a creative setting for Autotask’s employees. And while the offices appear upscale, Autotask received government grants and tax breaks from New York State that help offset many of the costs.
CEO Godgart even chipped in with some creative financing of his own. In order to cover the costs for a plasma TV in the company’s boardroom, he raised money by selling furniture from Autotask’s old headquarters.
The VAR Guy has more info to share about Autotask, but other deadlines loom. He’ll return to this subject later this week.