Enhancing Data Security and Business Growth with the ConnectWise Partner Program

Stronghold Data

Stronghold Data, headquartered in Joplin, Missouri, is a trusted partner for businesses seeking top-tier managed IT services. With a commitment to innovation and technical prowess, they offer a comprehensive suite of solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of their clients. Stronghold Data delivers industry-leading managed IT services ensure seamless operations for businesses across the Missouri region. From troubleshooting technical issues to providing reliable tech support, they empower companies to focus on growth while maintaining a robust IT infrastructure.

Challenge

To address client needs in a dynamic technology landscape, Stronghold Data sought a dependable partner to enhance their marketing initiatives. These efforts, including webinars, events, and lunch-and-learns, play a crucial role in engaging audiences, building sales pipelines, and promoting awareness of their solutions and services.

Solution

To drive business priorities forward, Stronghold Data needed a reliable and trusted partner to add depth to their marketing and sales team efforts, gain industry insights to drive strategic decision-making, and align their services with client goals.

Results

Stronghold Data has been a partner of ConnectWise for over 15 years. As early adopters of the Partner Program Stronghold Data have worked closely with the Partner Program to fuel their organic growth through thought leadership, insights, training and best-in-class tools.

“We’ve had a ton of success with co-branded and co-hosted events with ConnectWise. It’s more engaging than sending someone an email. Leveraging so many good people and good processes and programs that ConnectWise has, has really helped us grow.”

“It’s more than a typical vendor relationship. ConnectWise treats you like a true partner. They care about our success, and I feel like they are part of the team. In business, we can be met with a lot of challenges, but we never feel like we’re in it alone.”

It’s been thirty years since Stronghold Data began its MSP journey.

Headquartered in Joplin, Missouri, David Markley, President of Stronghold Data, leads the company’s efforts in providing information technology services to healthcare, manufacturing, finance, government, and non-profit organizations. With 18 years of experience at Stronghold Data, including a previous role as Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Markley has been instrumental in the company’s growth.

Stronghold Data has maintained a successful partnership with ConnectWise for 15 years.

“We’ve had a lot of success stories with ConnectWise – too many to count! I can’t say enough about how important the partnership is to us and our business. We are constantly learning about the industry, and we have a dedicated team that we can call on at any time,” says Markley.

Challenges in Security and Data Protection

Markley’s team focuses on identifying where data resides within client systems and implementing robust security measures to mitigate potential threats. This proactive approach ensures that critical areas remain protected.

“We are really keyed in on gaining alignment with our client needs and making sure we are setting accurate expectations. We ensure that our solutions address specific risks and safeguard sensitive information. Everything really comes down to what the client's expectations are and are we setting those right?”

Leveraging the ConnectWise Partner Program

The ConnectWise Partner Program plays a pivotal role.

Stronghold Data leverages the ConnectWise Partner Program and utilizes Marketing Development Funds (MDF) to enhance their marketing efforts. By participating in ConnectWise events, hosting webinars and lunch-and-learns, they engage directly with clients, showcase their cybersecurity solutions, and foster organic growth.

Markley continues, “The Partner Program provides valuable networking opportunities and insights into market trends, allowing business leaders to adapt to industry changes effectively. It also puts our services and solutions in the spotlight for our clients.”

When asked about the major benefits of the Partner Program, Markley didn’t hesitate to tell us: “it’s more than a typical vendor relationship. ConnectWise treats you like a true partner. They care about our success, and I feel like they are part of the team. In business, we can be met with a lot of challenges, but we never feel like we’re in it alone.”

Recently, Stronghold Data began using the Glasshive platform that is now a featured and embedded solution for partners. Markley touts the platform’s capabilities.

“I had some experience with Glasshive before. I have to say I’ve been really impressed with how much it helps us streamline processes and extend our marketing capabilities!”

The IT Nation

The IT Nation is ConnectWise’s global community of peers, thought leaders, and experts dedicated to pushing the industry to new heights. Between conferences, in-depth product training, IT Nation members can help each other achieve success.

“IT Nation events have been good for several reasons – but networking is the big thing for me! I get to talk to other owners and business leaders to understand more about what’s working for them (or not working). And I get to share our stories of success and challenges.”

Markley has attended about 15 IT Nations and given his experience with them; we asked him why he keeps coming back.

“It’s a community of highly engaged industry leaders that all genuinely care about helping each other. The IT Nation instils a Go-Giver mindset. Meaning, if we all give more than we get, we will all be wise together, rise together.”