Caught up with a jammed Vikram Ramesh recently at the N-able Evolve Conference in Fort Lauderdale. Turns out he is my neighbor here in Austin, Texas so I have a new BFF.

Highlights

Head Nerds. What are the head nerds? This concept is unique to N-able. This program helps overcoming two challenges, according to Ramesh. First – MSP partners were asking who can I talk to at N-able to answer my customers technical challenges. The head nerds are available to answer any technical questions.

Second, the head nerds are a stability injection in overall relationship in the MSP and customer ecosystem.

What if you built it and they didn’t come? That’s basically my assessment of the current state of the carbon credit marketplace as we have launched well into 2026.

I have been involved with four organizations in this area offering carbon credits to the private sector. The results were underwhelming to say the least. I have two primary observations.

Tough political climate. Not to get political, but somewhere along the way sustainability became a four-letter cuss word just like DEI. etc. This waning appetite to embrace carbon credits has been devastating to the cause. Not sure when or if this will improve.

Harry Brelsford and Ann Westerheim discuss their experiences at the Zero Trust World event in Orlando, highlighting the importance of community and networking in the tech industry. Ann, a veteran in the field, emphasizes the value of attending events to stay updated, meet new vendors, and strengthen partnerships. They touch on the stress and burnout in the tech sector, comparing it to high-stress military roles. Ann mentions her upcoming participation in the Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA) events in Chicago and San Diego, where she will discuss cybersecurity and receive an award for their new trust mark based on CIS controls.

Matt Linn, co-founder of Thread, discussed the company's rapid growth and recent activities since a capital raise four months ago. Thread is expanding its team and partner base, with a focus on R&D, particularly in voice AI and client intelligence. The company hosts weekly AI service unleashed community calls, attracting over 100 MSPs, which help shape product development through direct feedback. Linn emphasized the importance of value and investment in maintaining community engagement. Upcoming developments include agents to handle administrative tasks, allowing the team to focus on enhancing customer service experiences.

I’ll start this analysis the same way I’ll end it: GO HOME AND TAKE TWO PEOPLE WITH YOU! It’s that time of year - the start of the 7-month festival season in Austin.

Context

Before I get to my specific event analysis, let me start at the macro-level. Overall, the Austin March festivals and events are strong.

What if? What if automobile manufactures had both direct sales (e.g. Tesla) and a channel (e.g. CarMax)?  Such a strategy would cause tension to say the least. 

Yet this is already occurring in our beloved Small and Medium Business (SMB) - Managed Service Provider (MSP) ecosystem. I don’t know if the SMB MSP community sponsors all went to the same weekend seminar at a third tier airport hotel in a function room but I’m hearing the strategy articulated more than ever. 

Ed. Head Nerd Chris Massey is keeping the lights on at N-Able driving it’s partners to think beyond bit and bytes and speeds and feeds with its executive programs as part of the business transformation initiative. His five-year effort has resulted in these pillars:

• Executive Roundtable
• Business Transformation
• Operational Benchmark
• Growth Program that includes broader benchmarking and growth surveys.
• And more

I will repeat! This was my first time at Zero Trust World. I learned a thang or three hehe. It focuses on teaching security professionals how to implement Zero Trust security and defend against modern cyberattacks. The event was held in early March 2026 in Orlando at the Rosen Shingle Creek hotel and conference center. 

Harry Brelsford and Danny Obaseki discuss Danny's role at K Zero, a company focused on passwordless authentication for MSPs and their clients. Danny explains K Zero's all-in-one authentication suite, which aims to improve password hygiene, integrate password managers, and eventually eliminate passwords through biometrics. K Zero offers NFR (Not for Resale) licenses to partners, allowing them to use and understand the product better. Harry expresses interest in trying the product, particularly for its mobile support. Danny provides contact information for further inquiries and mentions K Zero's recent activities, including attending a hockey game in Montreal.