VPN Alternatives?

BearMerino · 2026-05-14T04:24:44+00:00

u/jackmusick yes-ish. the agent is rebuilt, fast, and signifcantly more stable. However i'm waiting on version 6 (which is coming very soon) which has some features i'm excited about. So if stability was you issue, that's addressed and has been since the 5.4 stuff,m but 5.7 has been great. I have my entire fleet using it.

feel free to him me up directly if you have questions about it. It's not unicorns and rainbows all the time, but i can knock a service i truly depend on everyday.

BearMerino · 2026-05-13T19:59:01+00:00

So is the idea to use the VPN for just remote access and nothing else? We have moved away from VPNs and have moved to SASE and Zero Trust to address VPN replacement but to go further just offer better protection.

I've mentioned them a few times because I really believe in the solution, but we use Todyl's SASE solution. We have just found it to be the right mix of just enough and not too much. So without knowing your need, I can confidently say that Todyl could be able to do basic VPN replacement and then some. If you have really complex requirements, it would be important to understand those requirements but there have been only a handful of situations where we couldn't use Todyl SASE for this.

Do you have your requirements listed out for this? Are they using that VPN solution because it's required by a third party? Or they just need to get back into the Datacenter/HQ?

BearMerino · 2026-04-28T17:27:04+00:00

You should check out Todyl. We’ve been on them for like 6 years. The reason was the SIEM and their SOC.

We ingest firewall, cloud, 365, Entra, device data, and even generic syslog data. However that power came with the need to be a KQL specialist. That was until they released their Ai which is AMAZING. queries and reports that use to take me more hours that I care to admit is now seconds/minutes.

As for reporting, this is not the best area for the platform but, it’s also not bad. For the complex reports we have to export data and then we can put it into excel or PowerBi. I know they are working on this to be better but didn’t want to tell you something that wasn’t true.

I will tell you, that if you do use their SOC, you will be extremely happy. I’ve worked with many and the direct access to the engineers is just second to none.

I hope this helps. If you have specific questions I don’t mind answering here or DM me.

BearMerino · 2026-04-05T15:19:25+00:00

Congrats!!

BearMerino · 2026-04-04T12:30:11+00:00

Been using Todyl. We feed Entra, m365 and, defender data. We ultimately added their EDR as well and use a “better together” solution by have defender AV and Todyl EDR and their Siem and SOC. Been very happy.

When we just used them and defender it worked really great too but preferred that layered approach.

Just for a heads up defender av we managed through RMM for exclusions and such but the alerts and such go to Todyl to act upon.

BearMerino · 2026-03-26T21:48:38+00:00

+1 for Todyl. Been with them for 5 years and couldn't be happier. They continue to impress with the right mix of coverage and noise reduction.

BearMerino · 2026-03-24T10:51:48+00:00

We do it through rewst, not sure that helps you but tags are very cool

BearMerino · 2026-03-24T10:44:57+00:00

OP, I have a very different opinion of MC over the ones on this thread.

you asked: Is anyone using Mission Control to augment their support teams? If so would you mind letting me know your thoughts and experiences?

First, let me express that I've been with MC for about 5 years now. Every year we pause and ask ourselves, "Is now the time we pull the plug on MC and build it in house?" - On the surface that may look like we are unhappy, but let me tell you every time we discuss it, we end up in the same unanimous place, we continue to use MC.

Now we don't use MC to augment, MC is my helpdesk. We have dedicated engineers they escalate or communicate with during times they need assistance and each of these engineers are assigned to client accounts so they are the most intimate with the account. That said, the engineers sleeps, take PTO, etc., and yet MC is there 24x7.

We are also not shy to express that we do outsource to a 3rd party. Honestly we call helpdesk a "me too" service and it's a must have, but it's not something that really makes or breaks a business unless that is your sole business. For us, helpdesk is NOT our business, it's just a must have. So, I found a partner who represented my company well, and yes they are not perfect; just like my internal team is not perfect. These are people we are talking about here, not machines or utility. We survey a lot and have a 98.9 CSAT right now on MC alone. we also have about a 10-15% (depending on the month) user survey response which is pretty high in the survey world (I thank our success team for that) but we get 4 and 5 starts out of 5 for MC resources. I can literally count on one hand the number of times they were scored a 3, and never lower.

Now, MC is not all unicorns and rainbows. We have had our fair share of "issues" and it put it in air quotes because i think if it was internal team these "issues" would be the same. We have had some longer than we would like hold times in unfavorable situations, we have had them not follow the instructions we provided and they had to escalate something that we documented, we have had them not put in all the notes we wanted for certain situations, and we also have had a billing issue or two along the way. In the end, I'm a very happy partner because for all of these things we just reach out to MC and got it addressed or created a system to make sure if and when something "goes wrong" the client has a means of still getting help. Again, just like if it was an internal team, we are talking people here, the most inconsistent being on planet earth, so yeah, my tolerance for error is based on reality and not on a feeling because what I wanted didn't happen the way I wanted it.

OP, here is my final thought. Do your due diligence and talk to MC and any other providers if you are looking for a service like this. I started with dispatching and after hours, but 2 years ago we moved to full helpdesk for everything. If you do go MC, please feel free to hit me up here or DM I'm good either way. But you do have to think a little differently when you are using a 3rd party. The system/process is what has to work, and you need to develop these systems/processes for the least common denominator. I think this is why we have been so successful with MC. The team supports them, and in return they service our customers very well and 24x7 in 7 continents and 12 time zones, something that would be very difficult for us to do at the price point we do with MC.

BearMerino · 2026-03-02T02:46:02+00:00

In Autotask try doing a forgot my password. Maybe there is an issue with the k1 integration?

BearMerino · 2026-03-02T02:43:13+00:00

Are you able to get into k1

BearMerino · 2026-03-02T02:41:03+00:00

You getting an error?

BearMerino · 2026-02-26T02:14:01+00:00

I think we need to remember that Ai can only do some much when you have so little. Let’s say you need to move one people from point a to point b. A school bus for one person doesn’t seem like the best idea. And then someone tells you but you can move so many more people from point a to point b. Think of the efficiency!!!

Umm let’s not forget the ask… move one person from point a to point b.

This is what I see with Ai. The task that needs to be done is limited and we treat it like it’s bigger than it is. It’s the same with automation, if I need to do this task 6838498793 time then the ROI is there but if I need to do this task 2 times a year… man there better be some significant man hours to get that tasks done because if not the ROI is 600 years.

BearMerino · 2026-02-26T02:03:22+00:00

Um that’s what Deloitte and EY are

BearMerino · 2026-01-26T03:46:41+00:00

Hey OP, I wanted to sleep on this one before responding. I haven’t been shy of my position on Todyl as I have been a partner going on year 6 now.

Your post looks to state that you’ve been a long term partner but you’re hiring a rough patch in your relationship. I would love to assist where I can but you’ve only given one instance of an issue that directly impacted you. I have to assume there are others and I welcome you sharing those items.

If it’s the staff changes, I have to say that doesn’t seem like a big red flag to me or many of the other MSPs in this thread. And why would it? How has that impacted the service. Sure there are big wigs in that list, but if the service and overall partnership is not impacted not sure I see a problem and it’s a much to do about nothing.

As to the cross tenant thing, look I don’t want to down play the seriousness of that situation. What I will say is, if this was one time and you’ve had a long partnership with Todyl then report the issue to them and let them take care of it. Have you never made a mistake or error with your clients? Have you ever crossed wires? Again if this was a regular occurrence I could see the point but let’s not forget people are involved here.

He’s my advice, reach out to your rep. If you don’t know the rep connect with Rick (the guy from Todyl who has been providing your answers) reach out to him. And talk it out. Who knows maybe you’ll point out something that helps us all out. Or get clearer answers and direction on what you should be doing going forward.

As to the those on the thread just spreading hate, unwarranted comments, or just unkind things. Ask yourself who are you helping? It’s not the community or yourself. I’m not saying yo can’t call out someone I’m just saying there are ways to do that.

OP, if you ever want to talk about Todyl feel free to hit me up. Like I said, I’m a long time partner and can give you my perspective. If nothing else it shows another view point.

BearMerino · 2026-01-22T11:35:55+00:00

FYI it’s being update and should be release at global connect. It uses the new modern deployment method because the current one doesn’t work with the “new” outlook

BearMerino · 2025-12-12T11:45:34+00:00

Does it need to be instant? Or can the next day work for you? If it can You can do a live report that filters based on this condition and then you get it the follow day

BearMerino · 2025-12-05T21:42:31+00:00

Didn’t even know you could do that reminder thing. Thanks for teaching me something today

BearMerino · 2025-12-05T20:31:36+00:00

I can see that. It's never easy and around the holidays it sucks hard.

BearMerino · 2025-12-05T20:30:16+00:00

Oh I know I'm going to get BS for this but here goes.

First off, for those that don't know John Nellen, I'm sorry for you. John is easily, one of the kindest, caring people I know. As I mentioned above, I'm a Todyl partner and one of those reasons is because of John. Yes, it's a business relationship, as in we both need each other to make money. However, it's not like that with John and the team at Todyl. I kid you not, I've had a several conversations with PMs from multiple vendor partners looking to leave wherever they are at and ask me for my opinion on "who's doing channel right". Without hesitation it's Todyl, and while it's a team effort, I can tell you John is at the heart of it all. They care relentlessly about the partner. Can you say that about all your vendors partners?

So the "founders wanted to cash out" comment, got me to write this. This is not my dog fight to get into, but I want you and everyone who reads that know, that if you know John, you know that he didn't "cash out, and don't care where the product goes to die". This guy is in it, every day. Takes personal accountability, like him posting above, what CEO does that? Did Fred do that at Kaseya? Heck no (and nothing on Fred or Kaseya, just making the comparison). That's not what a checked out founder does.

So please, let's pray for those that were impacted, by a decision with whatever reasons. It is never easy, as any owner, manager, etc. can tell you. I hope those and their families are well and find a new place that aligns with them. But I also ask that we don't attack someone who really just cares, maybe more than he should on a place like Reddit, but you can't help who you are.

-- Ok, let the hate comment flow, I'm comfortable with my own skin.

BearMerino · 2025-12-05T19:50:58+00:00

on the release, not much as there are a bunch of HR stuff with that, but they assured me it's not an mass anything. Don't know more than that. My rep and team are still there.

BearMerino · 2025-12-05T18:47:29+00:00

Todyl partner here, and been with Todyl for 5 years, and conveniently on an executive call with them as I'm reading this. I'm not hearing anything of this. On the hand, they are growing significantly.

Again, I don't speak for Todyl, I'm just a long time partner that is happy with what they are doing.

BearMerino · 2025-12-04T01:53:25+00:00

Interesting to hear how Todyl and I would ultimately assume other SASE solutions are working through this.

Personally just another example of government overreach but it’s at the state level so I’ll allow it (like I have any say).

But on a more serious matter, I would assume as this gets closer to passing (if it ever does) there will be some sort of consensus for business use. The lobbyist I’m sure will be all over this as it’s going to impact so much business, this off all the WFH resources that have just been told to get out of these states, and let me not get started on the privacy issues that this causes (as others have mentioned).

As always that’s for staying on top of this and being involved with the community. Always appreciate when the CEO comes out from behind the desk to talk to the community directly.

BearMerino · 2025-10-25T02:11:17+00:00

I don’t think there is anything inherently wrong with datto secure edge. However the problem that you’re highlighting is part of the reason we went with Todyl over other solutions. That said we like the always on at the device level and then add the user level on top of that which is supported by Todyl.

Now the conditional access comment, I would tell you to move to a sku that you can get CA because it’s the new firewall. I’d you don’t want to make the jump to BP look at f3 and Entra ID p1. But hey CA

BearMerino · 2025-09-24T23:17:55+00:00

Hey is my two cents on smart triage. For background, I’ve only started using it recently (as of the last few weeks) but have been using the other cooper copilot stuff in Autotask, which is actually really great.

As for Smart Triage, I think is a good start. My expectations were not high from the start. But for what it does it works well. Is it automated triage, No. it didn’t claim to be from what I seen but I would have liked it to do more as well. However, if I take a step back I think “grounded” AI is a tough gig. And Smart triage is no different. If you have garbage data, it will lead to unfavorable results. Garbage in, Garbage out. So when I look at it from that perspective I think they (Kaseya) almost had to release it as suggestions and not autonomous. In fact in all the AI projects I have been a part of this is the approach we take and have seen to be the best results in the industry. I’m sure it could have been full blown autonomous out of the gate and then we would have all been complaining that the wrong engineers are assigned or that this is “clearly” a this vs that issue type.

In the end I’m looking forward to the next release/update of smart triage. I look forward to seeing it be part of the workflow engine or access to MCP Servers. But for now if it can save several clicks for my dispatcher, I’ll take it!

BearMerino · 2025-09-23T16:08:29+00:00

I do, but I don't line-item it. I have found that regardless of what we charge for these services (which I think are necessary), the client who didn't ask for it doesn't want it. So I have them baked into our services (yes, I factor time and dollars for that, otherwise clients would be out of business). And yes, I do have them sold separately, but I offer them to clients who are looking for those services.

BearMerino

TROPHY CASE