BeMSP! 2023 in Vetovo, Croatia served as a pivotal showcase for how managed service providers (MSPs) can leverage a cohesive suite of tools to streamline operations, secure networks, and simplify client management. The event, hosted by Zebra Systems, brought together MSP professionals, technology partners, and industry experts against the picturesque backdrop of Vetovo. GFI Software was prominently represented by two key figures: Jozef Kačala, the Vice President of Global Sales Engineering, and Lenka Kunecova, the Channel Account Manager. Their presence underscored GFI Software’s commitment to the MSP community and highlighted how its portfolio addresses the everyday challenges faced by MSPs in designing, deploying, and maintaining secure, reliable services for clients. In their sessions, the speakers illuminated how GFI’s solutions form a tightly integrated stack designed to reduce complexity, accelerate service delivery, and improve security posture across diverse client environments. The setting offered a compelling stage for sharing practical insights, real-world use cases, and tactical recommendations on how MSPs can optimize operations using a unified approach to management, security, and compliance.
Event backdrop and GFI Software’s participation
The Vetovo venue provided an inspiring environment where technology and practical know-how intersected with the realities of delivering managed services to a broad range of customers. BeMSP! 2023 offered MSPs a focused lens on the tools and workflows that matter most when running a modern MSP practice. The event’s programming highlighted not only the technical capabilities of leading MSP platforms but also the business considerations that govern successful service delivery, including efficiency, profitability, and customer satisfaction. GFI Software’s representation at the event signaled a strong alignment with these priorities. Jozef Kačala took the stage to articulate a clear vision of how GFI’s integrated suite can help MSPs streamline their business processes, from security and collaboration to network management and proactive maintenance. He used the chosen venue as a compelling metaphor for clarity and focus—an environment where vendors and MSPs can align on solutions that drive tangible improvements in daily operations.
Lenka Kunecova complemented this message by highlighting the channel perspective, addressing how MSPs can adopt, deploy, and scale GFI solutions within their partner ecosystems. Her remarks emphasized the practical aspects of building and sustaining successful MSP relationships, including channel support, training, onboarding, and ongoing enablement. The combined message from Kačala and Kunecova reinforced a common theme: that the right set of tools, when delivered through a cohesive, cloud-enabled platform, can transform the MSP landscape by reducing fragmentation and enabling a single, coherent administration experience for multiple customers and products. The presentations demonstrated not only the individual strengths of each product but also the powerful efficiencies that emerge when these tools are managed from a unified console. This synergy is central to the MSP value proposition, enabling service providers to deliver faster incident response, more accurate reporting, and more dependable patch and vulnerability management.
The event’s narrative also underscored the importance of cloud-based management in modern MSP operations. In the BeMSP! 2023 context, cloud-enabled platforms offer MSPs scalable access to a centralized control plane, where customer accounts and product configurations can be governed with consistency and auditable workflows. The GFI representatives, through their detailed walkthroughs, illustrated how cloud-based management reduces administrative overhead, accelerates onboarding, and enhances the ability to enforce standardized security policies across the entire client base. Attendees walked away with a deeper understanding of how to operationalize these capabilities in real-world MSP settings, including how to tailor configurations to different customer segments, enforce uniform security baselines, and automate routine maintenance tasks to free up skilled staff for higher-value activities. The event, therefore, functioned as both a learning opportunity and a practical blueprint for MSPs seeking to modernize their toolchains and deliver more predictable, secure, and profitable services.
In terms of content strategy, the BeMSP! 2023 program emphasized three core themes: robust security, streamlined communications, and proactive management. GFI Software’s portfolio aligns precisely with these themes, covering firewall and VPN capabilities, secure mail server functionality, comprehensive vulnerability scanning, patch deployment, and integrated administration. The coverage of KerioControl, KerioConnect, and LanGuard, as well as the binding role of AppManager, provided a clear narrative about how disparate tools can be integrated into a single, coherent MSP workflow. This approach is especially relevant for MSPs operating in competitive markets where the ability to deliver timely, secure, and cost-effective services distinguishes leaders from laggards. Throughout the event, the emphasis remained on practical outcomes: less time spent on managing multiple consoles, faster detection and remediation of security issues, and the ability to scale service delivery to accommodate growing customer footprints without sacrificing quality or security.
Deep dive into GFI KerioControl, KerioConnect, and LanGuard
GFI KerioControl, KerioConnect, and GFI LanGuard represent a triad of core capabilities that address distinct but complementary aspects of MSP operations. Each product contributes a critical piece to a comprehensive security and communications framework, and when used together, they form a powerful backbone for managed services. KerioControl delivers robust network security, firewall protection, and VPN capabilities that help MSPs protect client environments from external and internal threats. Its deep inspection, threat prevention features, and granular policy controls enable MSPs to create tailored security postures that match the risk tolerance and regulatory requirements of each client. For MSPs managing a diverse client base—ranging from small offices to distributed enterprises—KerioControl offers scalable, policy-driven governance that can be standardized across the portfolio while still allowing for client-specific exceptions where necessary. The value proposition is clear: hardened perimeter security, improved control over traffic flows, and the ability to enforce consistent security standards across multiple sites and networks.
KerioConnect, as a robust mail server solution, addresses the critical enterprise need for secure, reliable, and scalable email handling. In an MSP context, KerioConnect simplifies email governance, archiving, and collaboration while providing administrators with granular control over mail flows, user access, and compliance-related features. The platform’s built-in security features help mitigate phishing attempts, spam, and malware distribution, delivering a safer communication channel for client users. From an MSP perspective, KerioConnect reduces the complexity of managing mail infrastructure for multiple tenants, enabling consistent policy enforcement and streamlined maintenance routines. The combination of KerioConnect with KerioControl also supports integrated security workflows, where email threats can be correlated with network events, enhancing incident response capabilities and accelerating remediation. The reliability and ease of management inherent in KerioConnect align with MSP demands for dependable, low-friction email services that scale with client growth.
GFI LanGuard provides the vulnerability scanning, assessment, and patch management component essential to maintaining secure client networks. For MSPs, LanGuard supports proactive vulnerability detection, risk-based remediation prioritization, and automated patch deployment, enabling a hands-off approach to routine security maintenance for most typical environments. The product’s vulnerability scanning capabilities, coupled with actionable remediation guidance, empower MSPs to maintain an up-to-date security posture across diverse device inventories. In practice, LanGuard helps MSPs reduce the window of exposure by identifying and addressing vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, while its patch management features minimize downtime and compatibility concerns during updates. The integration of LanGuard with KerioControl and KerioConnect helps create a cohesive security ecosystem where network and endpoint vulnerabilities can be tracked, managed, and closed through a unified workflow. The end result is greater efficiency, fewer security gaps, and improved client trust in the MSP’s ability to maintain a secure environment.
AppManager acts as the central binding layer that unifies these tools within a single cloud-based console. It provides MSPs with a consolidated environment in which all customer accounts, devices, and products can be managed from one place. This unification reduces the cognitive load on administrators who previously juggled multiple consoles and disparate management interfaces. AppManager’s cloud-based architecture offers scalability and accessibility, enabling authorized technicians to configure, monitor, and manage customer environments from anywhere while maintaining strict access controls and auditability. The single-pane view offered by AppManager enhances operational efficiency by streamlining onboarding, policy deployment, and ongoing maintenance across multiple clients and product lines. In practical terms, MSPs can standardize configurations, automate routine tasks, and maintain consistent security policies across the entire portfolio, thereby achieving higher levels of service quality and faster response times to incidents. The cloud-centric approach also aligns with modern MSPs’ needs for remote monitoring, centralized reporting, and simplified compliance workflows, particularly in regulated industries where governance and traceability are paramount.
From a feature perspective, each product complements the others in ways that amplify overall effectiveness. KerioControl’s advanced firewall capabilities can be tuned to enforce strict access controls while enabling secure remote connectivity for distributed teams and clients. KerioConnect ensures secure internal and external communications, with privacy controls, mailbox management, and robust anti-spam features. LanGuard offers ongoing protection by identifying new vulnerabilities, suggesting patches, and helping to orchestrate timely remediation. AppManager then ties these capabilities together by providing a unified interface for management tasks, user provisioning, policy enforcement, and activity auditing. For MSPs, this integrated approach reduces the time-to-value for new clients, minimizes the risk of misconfigurations, and supports consistent service levels across the portfolio. The combined solution set is designed to support MSPs through the entire service lifecycle—from prospective client evaluation and onboarding to ongoing operations, security management, and reporting.
In practice, the BeMSP! 2023 presentations demonstrated the practical workflows MSPs can implement with these tools. Demonstrations highlighted how a typical client environment—encompassing network devices, servers, workstations, and cloud services—can be securely managed through a single console. The demonstrations also illustrated the streamlined processes for incident response, vulnerability remediation, and policy enforcement, showing how the MSP can rapidly detect anomalies, isolate affected segments, and apply patching and configuration changes in a controlled, auditable manner. Attendees could visualize the end-to-end lifecycle: from continuous monitoring and alerting to automated remediation actions and resilient recovery procedures. The message was clear: with KerioControl, KerioConnect, LanGuard, and AppManager working in concert, MSPs can deliver more reliable, secure, and efficient services while maintaining tighter control over costs and operational risk.
AppManager as the central hub for MSP operations
AppManager’s role as the binding agent is central to realizing the full potential of GFI’s MSP-oriented toolkit. The cloud-based console consolidates management tasks across multiple products and customer accounts, enabling a level of operational coherence that is difficult to achieve with fragmented toolsets. This centralized approach translates into several tangible benefits for MSPs. First, it simplifies onboarding and ongoing administration, allowing technicians to configure customer environments consistently, irrespective of the underlying hardware or software mix. Second, it provides a unified policy framework, ensuring that security settings, access controls, and compliance requirements are enforced uniformly across all clients. Third, AppManager supports automation and orchestration, enabling routine maintenance tasks—such as patch cycles, scheduled scans, and routine backups—to be scheduled, tracked, and audited from a single location. This level of automation and visibility is especially valuable for MSPs managing large client portfolios, where manual, ad hoc configurations can lead to errors and inconsistent service levels.
From a customer experience standpoint, AppManager contributes to stronger accountability and transparency. These benefits manifest in clearer reporting, more predictable service delivery, and more reliable SLAs. The single console enables MSPs to generate consolidated reports that cover multiple clients and product lines, providing stakeholders with a comprehensive view of security posture, patch compliance, and system health. The value to clients is not only in improved security and reliability but also in the ability to demonstrate compliance with relevant regulatory requirements through auditable records and consistent governance practices. For MSPs, the operational efficiencies gained through AppManager translate into better utilization of engineering resources, faster onboarding of new clients, and the ability to scale services as the client base grows. The net outcome is a more resilient business model capable of delivering higher-margin services with greater consistency and fewer manual bottlenecks.
A crucial aspect of AppManager’s appeal for MSPs is its adaptability to diverse client environments. The platform is designed to accommodate a range of network topologies, device fleets, and user workloads, while maintaining a clear set of standardized processes. This flexibility reduces the risk of vendor lock-in and helps MSPs tailor their offerings to specific client needs without sacrificing the advantages of a unified management approach. In practice, MSPs can segment their service catalog by client tier, regulatory requirements, or industry vertical, applying appropriate policies and automation rules to each segment. The result is a modular, scalable framework that supports incremental growth and portfolio diversification. The BeMSP! 2023 discussions emphasized that such flexibility is essential for MSPs seeking to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market, where client expectations for security, reliability, and cost-effectiveness continue to rise.
Implications for MSPs and market dynamics
The BeMSP! 2023 event highlighted a shift in how MSPs approach technology purchases and service design. Instead of evaluating point solutions in isolation, MSPs are increasingly looking for integrated platforms that can unify security, communications, and management into a single, coherent experience. The GFI Software suite—comprising KerioControl, KerioConnect, LanGuard, and AppManager—addresses this demand by offering a holistic approach that reduces complexity without sacrificing depth. For MSPs, this translates into shorter sales cycles, faster time-to-value for new clients, and improved operational resilience across the service portfolio.
From a security perspective, the tripartite strength of KerioControl, KerioConnect, and LanGuard, combined with AppManager, enables MSPs to deliver proactive, layered defense. Network perimeter protection, secure enterprise communications, vulnerability management, and automated remediation are all orchestrated through a single platform. This integrated approach also supports proactive governance and policy enforcement, enabling MSPs to demonstrate measurable improvements in client security postures. In an era where cyber threats continue to evolve rapidly, MSPs need tools that can adapt quickly, scale with customer growth, and provide clear evidence of compliance and risk reduction. The BeMSP! 2023 program reinforced that the GFI suite is aligned with these expectations, offering a coherent pathway for MSPs to modernize their operations while delivering reliable, secure services.
The market implications of this approach are significant. MSPs that adopt a unified, cloud-based management suite are positioned to differentiate themselves through more consistent service delivery, faster incident response, and better cost control. The BeMSP! audience gained practical insight into how to structure service offerings around integrated tooling, how to standardize processes across a multi-client environment, and how to leverage automation to reduce manual labor and human error. For technology partners and channel players, the event underscored the importance of scalable, interoperable solutions that can be deployed across a wide range of client contexts. It also highlighted the value of ongoing enablement, training, and collaboration between vendors and MSPs to maximize the return on investment from these platforms. The overall takeaway is that a well-designed, integrated MSP toolkit not only improves security and efficiency but also enhances client trust and long-term partnerships.
In terms of business outcomes, MSPs leveraging the GFI platform can expect improvements in service quality, faster remediation cycles, and more predictable revenue streams driven by standardized service offerings and repeatable processes. The cloud-based AppManager fosters scalable governance, which reduces the risk of operational bottlenecks as an MSP expands its client base. The combined effect of these tools is a more agile, resilient, and customer-centric MSP operation capable of thriving in competitive markets where clients demand high levels of security, reliability, and cost efficiency.
Practical guidance for MSPs adopting the GFI toolkit
For MSPs considering adoption or expansion of the GFI toolkit, several practical steps emerge from the BeMSP! 2023 experiences. First, conduct a comprehensive assessment of current client environments to identify areas where a unified management approach would yield the greatest benefits. This includes evaluating security gaps, patching maturity, and the efficiency of current management workflows. Second, map workflows to AppManager capabilities, identifying opportunities to consolidate consoles, automate repetitive tasks, and standardize policy enforcement across the portfolio. Third, design a phased migration plan that minimizes disruption while migrating client accounts and configurations to KerioControl, KerioConnect, LanGuard, and AppManager. Fourth, implement a governance model that defines roles, access controls, and auditing requirements so that MSPs can maintain strong security posture while supporting multiple clients and teams. Fifth, establish monitoring and reporting practices that leverage AppManager’s centralized visibility to provide stakeholders with actionable insights and measurable metrics on security, uptime, and patch compliance. Finally, invest in partner enablement, training, and ongoing support to ensure that the engineering and channel teams can maximize the value of the integrated platform for clients.
From a customer success perspective, the emphasis should be on how the integrated platform translates into tangible improvements for end users. Clients should experience more reliable email services with KerioConnect, stronger network protection via KerioControl, and timely vulnerability response thanks to LanGuard. The MSP’s ability to demonstrate these improvements through consolidated reporting and consistent service delivery helps establish trust and justify ongoing partnerships. The BeMSP! 2023 insights reinforce that makers of MSP platforms must provide not only powerful tools but also clear guidance, best practices, and hands-on training to help MSPs achieve real-world results. The combination of technical capability and practical enablement is what ultimately drives long-term success in the competitive MSP landscape.
Conclusion
BeMSP! 2023 in Vetovo, Croatia underscored the value of a unified, cloud-based MSP toolkit in delivering secure, efficient, and scalable managed services. GFI Software’s representation—led by Jozef Kačala and Lenka Kunecova—articulated a compelling narrative about how KerioControl, KerioConnect, and LanGuard, when integrated with AppManager, can transform MSP operations. The event demonstrated that the most effective MSP offerings come from a cohesive platform that unifies security, email, network management, and administration under a single, auditable console. Attendees left with a practical roadmap for implementing an integrated MSP stack, including deployment strategies, automation opportunities, and governance models essential for delivering high-quality services at scale. In short, the BeMSP! 2023 program highlighted not only the capabilities of the GFI platform but also the strategic advantage for MSPs that adopt a holistic, cloud-enabled approach to managed services, management, and security. The future of MSPs, as reflected in Vetovo, appears to be increasingly defined by unified tools, streamlined workflows, and proactive security postures that empower providers to deliver superior outcomes for their clients.