(This is part of a series focusing on companies on the 2026 MSP 501 list.)
When Mike Smith started Complete Computing Solutions (CCS) 22 years ago, the term managed service provider didn’t exist. What we know today as MSPs were called things such as IT companies, computer repair shops and tech consultants.
As for Smith, he was working as a car salesman before getting pulled into managing IT because of his tech expertise. His co-workers knew he studied electronic engineering technology at ITT Tech Institute in Little Rock, and that made him the shop’s resident IT guy.
“They knew my background in computers and began asking me to fix IT-related issue around the dealership,” Smith said. “It made me think, ‘If I can do this for these guys, why not do it for other local businesses?’”
And so CCS was born in Texarkana, TX. “The term MSP wasn't really part of the conversation,” said Smith, CCS's president. “We weren't called managed service providers. The entire industry has evolved dramatically since then.”
The evolution has accelerated in this age of AI and its impact on managed services, particularly cybersecurity. CCS rode that wave to a No. 255 spot on the 2026 MSP 501 list. Smith said in the past year or so, “Cybersecurity became a business conversation, not an IT conversation. Clients are more in tune with the pitfalls of poor cybersecurity than they were five years ago. Also, documentation and process maturity became more important. Our success is becoming more focused on documented processes and a standardized environment. Poor documentation is a black hole for time and productivity.”
While cybersecurity remains a major need for clients, Smith sees AI as a massive opportunity now. MSPs can play a major role helping businesses navigate rapid adoption of AI.
“Many organizations recognize the potential of AI but need guidance on how to implement it securely, efficiently, and in ways that deliver measurable business value,” he said. “We believe MSPs are uniquely positioned to help bridge that gap. Cybersecurity also remains a major opportunity. As threats continue to evolve, businesses are looking for trusted partners who can help them reduce risk, strengthen security, and maintain compliance while enabling growth.”
CCS president and owner Mike Smith
Smith said CCS uses AI to enhance its team’s capabilities. Along with strengthening cybersecurity, the MSP uses AI to improve efficiency and accelerate problem-solving. CCS engineers, service desk technicians and marketing teams use AI to do their jobs better. It also helps them serve customers better, especially around cybersecurity.
“From a cybersecurity perspective, AI is proving invaluable,” Smith said. “We use AI-assisted tools to help analyze malware, investigate suspicious activity, identify patterns in security events, and accelerate the response to virus infections and other cyber threats. By processing large amounts of data quickly, AI helps our technicians identify potential risks faster and make more informed decisions during incident response.”
Of all the changes he’s seen over the years, Smith said one of the biggest is the way customers look at MSPs now.
“Businesses no longer want a provider that simply fixes problems—they want a technology partner who can help them plan for the future, improve efficiency, and leverage technology as a competitive advantage. Our role is to help clients make informed decisions and ensure technology investments align with their long-term goals.
“Years ago, technology was often viewed as a support function. Today, it is a strategic asset. Businesses rely on technology for communication, productivity, security, customer engagement, and growth. The MSPs that succeed are the ones that understand the business side of technology, not just the technical side.”