The content team at the MSP Summit site tracks stories of interest to the managed services provider community. Anyone selling managed services or partnering with MSPs will want to know about these developing stories or catch up on stories they have missed. All links are current as of June 8.
ConnectWise Launches AI-Native Platform, Pushes Toward 'Predictive IT'
ConnectWise launched a new operational platform for managed service providers that the company is positioning as the centerpiece of a strategy it calls “Predictive IT.” The vendor pitches the ConnectWise Platform as a way for MSPs to hand routine support work to artificial intelligence rather than add staff to keep up. ConnectWise says it’s concentrating on what it calls Phase 2, using copilots and automation to run workflows. It’s not promising fully autonomous operations yet and describes that as a later stage. Read the SiliconANGLE story.
VC-backed Lemhi Gives MSPs a Repeatable AI Consulting Playbook
SaaS startup Lemhi emerged from stealth, looking to help MSPs guide customers through AI transformation projects. Lemhi is backed by investments from VC firms Top Down Ventures, Lookout Ventures and Start Something Ventures. Lemhi plans to launch its managed AI software – Lemhi Engage -- at Pax8 Beyond and is looking to recruit MSPs as design partners. Read the Channel Dive story.
MSP-aaS Goes Beyond with Pax8
Accelerating the move from managed to modern MSP, MSP-as-a-Service (MSP-aaS), powered by NOCDOC, revealed a new partnership with Pax8 at Pax8 Beyond. The relationship extends the reach of the NOCDOC-powered MSP-as-a-Service operating model and introduces enterprise-grade operational support capabilities to thousands of Pax8 partners seeking to modernize and scale faster without adding internal overhead. Read the MSP-aaS press release.
Anthropic Adds Services Track, Partner Hub to Claude Channel Program
Anthropic added structure to its nascent channel program, creating a three-tiered services track to reward partners for earnings certifications, accruing joint customers and sharing client success stories. Partners are compensated separately for generating new business with referral credits and deal protection, per the announcement. Anthropic’s channel expansion highlights the growing need for deployment expertise to help organizations scale AI. It also underscores the opportunity for partners to provide technical and operational support. Read about it on Channel Dive.
MSP Tool Stack Eats Margins
The MSP cost problem is pretty obvious if you look at the numbers. Proofpoint’s MSP Playbook The MSP Playbook for Working Smarter, Not Harder says MSPs now typically spend 20% or more of revenue on software tools. As MSPs keep adding tools to cover skill gaps, meet compliance demands, and keep up with cybersecurity requirements, they find the stack stops being an advantage and starts eating into the margin. Read the ChannelE2E story.
How to Fix Your Broken AI Strategy
ScalePad CEO Chris Day writes “the problem isn’t the tools; it’s the mindset.” AI is supposed to make your MSP run better. So why does it still feel like you’re putting effort in without seeing real returns? Instead of asking “What workflow can AI automate for me?” MSPs should ask “What can AI help me do to scale my MSP that was previously impossible?” Read his take on ChannelProNetwork.
AI-Dominated World Still Needs Human Touch
Even in the age of artificial intelligence, the great strength of the channel – people selling to people – remains as important as ever. Read the Microscope story.
Trump AI Order Targets Frontier Model Prerelease Review
The White House's latest AI executive order might be voluntary on paper, but it introduces a new dynamic that could influence how frontier models are built, evaluated and delivered to enterprise customers. Read the TechTarget story.
SMEs Shifting From Retail IT Purchases to Resellers
A growing appetite for premium technology among small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) users is helping improve channel revenues as the gap between consumer and enterprise demands narrows. Read the Microscope story.
Ingram Micro Wards Off Cloud Marketplace Threat
Technology distributor Ingram Micro reported double-digit growth last quarter, with net sales up 14% and gross profit increasing almost 12% year over year. The growth was driven by rising hardware prices and expansion in its cloud and cybersecurity business, according to a recent report from Omdia. Ingram’s success comes amid upheaval in the distribution channel as hyperscaler marketplaces have diverted the traditional pipeline running from vendors to distributors to partners and clients. The three largest cloud providers — AWS, Microsoft and Google — have become de facto distributors, selling technology directly to customers, while Ingram Micro and its peers strive to maintain their middleman role. Read the Channel Dive story.