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 ones they have missed. With the help of ChatGPT, Claude and AI tools our parent Informa has developed, we're tracking top stories based on web traffic, mentions, impressions, reposts, and social media engagement. All links are current as of Nov. 10.
Will MSPs Survive AI?
As vendors deploy generative AI tools that can chew through IT help desk tickets and automate support processes, companies that provide these services are feeling the heat. Throughout the year, managed service providers have been under pressure to adapt or risk eventual extinction. While many MSPs need a refresh to meet customer demands for AI-based services, the doomsayers have it all wrong, Abacus Group CEO Anthony D’Ambrosi told Channel Dive. Read the ChannelDive story.
ConnectWise CEO Outlines ‘MSP-Obsessed’ Vision
ConnectWise set a confident tone at IT Nation Connect Global 2025 in Orlando. In an opening keynote that mixed data-driven optimism with candid self-assessment, CEO Manny Rivelo described a company evolving alongside its partners. This is happening in an industry entering what they called the automation-first era. ConnectWise’s pledge: to make life simpler, more efficient, and more profitable for MSPs. Read the ChannelPro Network story.
Cisco Puts Partners at Center of AI-Ready Enterprise Push
Cisco used its Partner Summit to outline a sweeping plan for how it intends to equip enterprises for the coming wave of AI workloads, and the partners who will deliver them. The company said only 13% of organizations are fully prepared for AI and that more than half of AI pilots are stalling, creating urgency for edge performance, simplified networking, and unified security management. Read the eWeek story.
AvePoint Points to MSP Growth
AvePoint said its MSP business was its fastest growing segment last quarter. AvePoint’s overall revenue increased 24% year-over-year to $110 million. Its GAAP operating income of $8.1 million was up from $7.7 million for the same period last year. Read the Computer Weekly story.
Managed Services, Device Sales Drive CDW’s Growth
CDW’s net sales grew 4% overall for its third quarter ended Sept. 30, with services sales expanding 9% year over year. Within the services category, professional and managed services increased 14% year over year. CDW CEO Chris Leahy called services a “standout” performer during the quarter. Read the ChannelDive story.
WatchGuard Names Kaseya Vet Smolarski CEO
New WatchGuard CEO Joe Smolarski has outlined aggressive expansion plans, focusing specifically on MSP growth. Vata Srivatsan, who had been named interim CEO since May 2025, will continue to serve as a member of WatchGuard’s board of directors, advising the company on growth and strategy. Read the press release.
ScanSource Strategic Acquisitions
Technology distributor ScanSource acquired mobile data connectivity provider DataXoom as part of its strategy to build converged solutions combining hardware, software, and services. ScanSource reported a 5% year-over-year revenue drop to $740 million last quarter but increased gross profit 6% to $107 million. Read the press release.
ControlMonkey Expands Channel Reach with New Global Partner Program
ControlMonkey, known for helping enterprises manage Terraform at scale, has launched its new Global Partner Program to strengthen collaboration with VARs, MSPs, and technology partners. The Global Partner Program brings a structured model for partners to deliver automation, compliance, and resilience across enterprise cloud environments. Read he ChannelE2E story.