PARTNER SUCCESS STORY
CMIT Solutions Scales Franchise Success with the ConnectWise Partner Program
CMIT Solutions, headquartered in Austin, Texas, is a leading provider of managed IT services, cybersecurity, data backup, and help desk support. Serving small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) across industries like healthcare, finance, and education, CMIT empowers over 170 franchise locations nationwide with scalable, enterprise-level technology solutions tailored to local markets.
Challenge
CMIT Solutions faced the challenge of equipping over 170 franchisees with the tools and expertise to execute effective local marketing and IT service delivery. Many lacked the resources to independently manage events or access industry-standard content, slowing their ramp-up time and limiting their ability to grow in competitive markets.
Solution
The ConnectWise Partner Program empowered CMIT Solutions by providing event playbooks , expert speakers, and marketing support, enabling franchisees to host professional events with ease. It also offered industry-grade content, training webinars, and a dedicated account manager —accelerating franchisee ramp-up, enhancing local visibility, and driving scalable business growth.
Results
The ConnectWise Partner Program helped CMIT Solutions reduce franchisee ramp-up time, support over 170 locations with event playbooks and subject matter experts and increase local event attendance. Enhanced training and marketing resources led to measurable improvements in franchisee engagement, operational efficiency, and overall business growth.
CMIT Solutions, a leading managed services provider (MSP) with over 170 franchise locations across the United States, has significantly enhanced its operational efficiency and marketing capabilities through its involvement in the ConnectWise Partner Program.
Tara Osborne, VP of Operations, and Stuart Henschel, Director of Service Delivery, shared their experiences and insights into how the program has supported their business growth and franchisee success.
Empowering CMIT Franchisees with Scalable Marketing and Event Support
As a franchisor, CMIT Solutions faced the complex challenge of equipping its widespread franchise network with the tools and support needed to execute effective local marketing strategies. Many franchisees lacked the resources or expertise to independently organize events or access high-quality industry content, which slowed their ramp-up time and limited their market visibility.
Joining the ConnectWise Partner Program provided CMIT Solutions with a scalable solution to these challenges. The program offered a comprehensive suite of marketing and training resources that CMIT could extend to its franchisees. One of the most impactful elements was the event support package—essentially a turnkey solution that included event marketing, attendee recruitment, and even speaker provision. This allowed franchisees to host professional events without the burden of planning and logistics.
“Getting an event off the ground is very overwhelming,” said Tara Osborne, VP of Operations. “Most of our franchisees wouldn’t have the capabilities to pull that off themselves.”
Additionally, CMIT was assigned a dedicated Marketing Consultant representative , Rebecca, whose support was described as “invaluable” by both Osborne and Henschel. Her involvement ensured that CMIT could fully leverage the program’s offerings and tailor them to the needs of its franchise network.
Accelerating Ramp-Up with Comprehensive Partner Support
The ConnectWise Partner Program has become a cornerstone of CMIT’s franchise support strategy. It delivers scalable, high-impact resources that drive growth, reduce costs, and empower franchisees to succeed.
By joining the ConnectWise Partner Program, CMIT gained access to a comprehensive suite of tools and support services. These included event playbooks , expert speakers, marketing materials, and a dedicated account manager . “It’s helped our franchisees ramp quicker,” Osborne noted. “Just having something to start and get out of the box faster makes a huge difference.”
The tangible benefits of the partnership were clear. CMIT franchisees experienced a significantly shortened ramp-up time, enabling them to establish a market presence more quickly. “It’s been kind of delivered in a box for our franchisees,” Osborne explained. “From marketing the event, getting people to attend, and even providing the speaker—it’s all there.”
The access to industry-branded content, alongside CMIT’s proprietary materials, provided a benchmark for quality and relevance, enhancing the credibility of their marketing efforts. “It’s not just content we create,” Henschel said. “It’s being able to compare it with quality industry content that really adds value.”
Moreover, the program’s extensive training resources—including webinars and ConnectWise University—offered multiple layers of support that were especially beneficial for a franchisor managing a large and diverse network. These resources not only improved technical knowledge but also fostered a deeper understanding of business growth strategies.
Community and Continued Engagement
CMIT’s involvement extended to attending IT Nation Secure™, one of the premier events in the cybersecurity space. The event offered valuable networking opportunities, exposure to new technologies, and peer collaboration. According to Osborne and Henschel, the motivation and insights gained from the event were instrumental in driving innovation and enthusiasm across their organization.
“When I leave here, I’m so motivated and excited to take back what I’ve learned,” Osborne shared. “There are always more layers of support available.”
CMIT Solutions’ experience with the ConnectWise Partner Program and IT Nation events underscores the value of strategic partnerships in scaling operations and empowering franchise networks. As Osborne succinctly advised other partners: “Get engaged,” Osborne advised other partners. “If you had to invent all of this yourself, it would cost so much time, money, and resources. Just lean into the partnership and benefit from what they can offer.”
Key Takeaways
- Scalable Franchise Support: CMIT Solutions leveraged the ConnectWise Partner Program to support over 170 franchise locations with consistent, high-quality marketing and training resources.
- Turnkey Event Execution: The program provided ready-to-use event playbooks, including marketing materials, attendee outreach, and expert speakers—removing the burden from franchisees and increasing local event attendance.
- Accelerated Ramp-Up Time: Franchisees were able to launch operations and marketing efforts faster, thanks to structured support and access to industry-grade content.
- Dedicated Partner Support: A dedicated ConnectWise Marketing Consultant played a critical role in helping CMIT tailor and maximize the program’s benefits across its network.
- Community Engagement & Learning: Participation in IT Nation Secure provided valuable networking, peer collaboration, and insights into new tools—fueling innovation and motivation across the organization.