ConnectWise lays off 'less than 100' staffers to 'improve operations'

ConnectWise is laying off staff to improve operations and refocus on partner growth opportunities

Software vendor ConnectWise is trimming its workforce to boost efficiency and sharpen its focus on partner growth strategies.

"ConnectWise has undergone limited organi s ational changes to improve operations and ensure resources align with our partners' growth opportunities," the company told CRN in an emailed statement.

"As part of these changes, the company has made the difficult decision to eliminate certain colleague positions. ConnectWise remains committed to our partners' experience and is confident in our plans to support their success."

A spokesperson for the Florida-based software vendor said while the firm cannot provide specific figures, "we can assure you that the number of affected positions is significantly less than 100."

The company has more than 3,100 employees.

An inside source at the company, who asked to remain anonymous, said 80 positions were cut across the globe across multiple departments.

"We had a lot of redundancy from acquisitions," the source told CRN.

"We also had a lot of product adjustments and we're moving into the future. We sunset some things which just leads to more job redundancy but also future job opportunities for the next generation."

One impacted employee was CJ Wright who worked at ConnectWise for 12 years, most recently as a senior product manager.

"Got caught in today's round of layoffs ConnectWise," he posted on Linkedin.

"It's been a wild ride and I have nothing but fond memories of the last 12 years there. Onward & upward."

He told CRN in a message via LinkedIn that he has "nothing but good things to say about my time at ConnectWise" and the company's leadership team and vision as well as his colleagues.

"I wish them all the best," he said.

"The decisions leading up to today could not have been easy. My heart goes out to each person impacted by today's layoff and I feel confident our time at ConnectWise has prepared us for whatever comes next.

"What's inspired me most is the outpouring of support from the partner and vendor community ConnectWise has created," he added.

"I'm saddened my time there has ended, but moments like these remind me that people genuinely care and are willing to help."

Heather Simek, vice president of Chicago-based MSP RJ2 Technologies, believes businesses have to constantly re-evaluate the workforce to see if positions are being met and align with what future needs will be.

"I just don't think they're exempt from that," she told CRN.

"It's no different than an MSP who is losing business and has to realign functions in order to maintain profitability. It's a bad part of business but maybe they'll be even more efficient now."

Jason Wright, CEO of Houston-based MSP Avatar Managed Services, believes ConnectWise implemented layoffs to "cut bloat now that they have consolidated a lot of the MSP tools market and have successfully integrated those firms" and increased competition, specifically around their remote monitoring and management (RMM) tool.

"Overall, I think this is pretty standard stuff following so many acquisitions and also considering it's an election year," he told CRN.

Henry Timm, president of Rolling Prairie, Indiana-based MSP Phantom Technology Solutions, believes the job cuts are a "small correction for them."

"But I'm interested in seeing where those cuts actually fall and the impact it has on future support and development of their ecosystem," he told CRN.

"And also how this will impact their valuation for a potential sale that they desire."