Features

Features

• Guide to building and executing an MSP business model

  This managed service guide provides an overview of the business model, covers the basics of building a service provider business and discusses how to manage a maturing operation.  Continue Reading

• Partner's Apple Watch referee app lets NHL stripes keep focus

  Presidio designed the NHL Watch Comms App to sync with a hockey arena's game and penalty clocks and use haptic notifications to help officials keep their eyes on the game.  Continue Reading

• 6 trends shaping the IT services market in 2025

  Expect IT service providers to use AI to improve service delivery and automate customers' business processes this year, among other notable trends in the industry.  Continue Reading

• FinOps consulting grows as IT cost management efforts expand

  IT service providers pursue advisory, training and automation opportunities as customers adopt FinOps and apply its cost optimization principles across more IT resources.  Continue Reading

• 6 popular managed services pricing models

  Popular pricing models for managed service providers include monitoring only, per device, per user, all-you-can-eat or value-based pricing, a la carte and tiered pricing.  Continue Reading

• Generative AI upskilling demands multiple methods, partners

  Global IT consultancies take a multilayered approach to GenAI training by developing in-house programs, partnering with tech vendors and tapping online training platforms.  Continue Reading

• Partners' generative AI training plans aim for 1M+ employees

  IT service providers are upskilling a large portion of their workforces on the emerging technology. The campaign seeks to boost GenAI credibility with customers and tech vendors.  Continue Reading

• Ukraine IT services firms target new markets as exports drop

  Ukrainian IT services firms are eyeing new geographic markets and exploring digital transformation as the war and a difficult economy shrink international sales.  Continue Reading

• Cybersecurity market trends, from AI to post-quantum crypto

  Service executives list generative AI, the growing attack surface at the edge and post-quantum crypto standards as among the key security developments in 2024.  Continue Reading

• Technology outlook: Service providers cite four key trends

  What's on tap for 2024? The partner ecosystem expects to help customers scale generative AI projects, work with smaller models and play a bigger role at the edge.  Continue Reading

• 5 IT services industry trends on tap for 2024

  The top IT services industry trends for 2024 should sound familiar, with cost optimization and guarded innovation among the trends expected for the coming year.  Continue Reading

• Partners make zero-trust assessment a core security service

  Service providers have made zero-trust assessments a key part of their emerging zero-trust offerings. Those evaluations create a roadmap that guides the clients' security journey.  Continue Reading

• 7 ways service providers drive lasting transformation success

  Attention to people, process, organizational culture and reward systems preserve digital change over the long haul. Here are seven approaches to keep in mind.  Continue Reading

• IT service execs point to 5 core zero-trust questions

  A partner-customer dialog around zero trust should focus on the basics of organizational awareness, upskilling, funding, technical tooling and user experience.  Continue Reading

• 4 key ways partners sharpen digital transformation strategy

  IT service providers employ methodologies, tools and platforms to keep initiatives on track. Their efforts aim to prevent projects from stalling before they deliver the goods.  Continue Reading

• Zero-trust consulting opportunities abound amid tech confusion

  Ten years on, tech buyers still find zero trust bewildering. Consultants aim to help them get a handle on -- and deploy -- this multifaceted security model.  Continue Reading

• Health of digital transformation: Consulting firms list issues

  Digital transformation can take too long and fail to deliver. Root causes include lack of focus, cultural barriers and technical challenges, according to IT services executives.  Continue Reading

• Service providers explore 2023 technology trends

  The uncertain economy influences the technology developments service providers expect to see in 2023, with customers likely to optimize and integrate existing assets.  Continue Reading

• Cybersecurity outlook 2023: Consultants cite 6 trends

  IT services executives predicted greater focus on user training and protection, supply chain security and machine learning. And digital transformation could spark zero-trust projects.  Continue Reading

• 8 IT services industry trends to watch in 2023

  Economic uncertainty complicates the business outlook for professional services firms MSPs. The environment could reinforce cloud projects but curtail large-scale transformation.  Continue Reading

• New go-to-market strategy key to selling HPE GreenLake

  Read about a trailblazing Canadian service provider's journey with the as-a-service hardware and software platform -- and the insights it gleaned along the way.  Continue Reading

• Channel partners explore RPA for MSP, client use cases

  MSPs can tap robotic process automation for a multitude of applications, but they must consider the challenges of change management and multi-vendor environments.  Continue Reading

• 3 essential aspects of MSP automation

  Tools such as robotic process automation and cloud-based services help service providers relieve employees of mundane work, but adopters must navigate deployment challenges.  Continue Reading

• Atlassian partners cite cloud migration, ITSM growth

  The software company offers a range of partner opportunities as it pursues digital transformation and transitions from server products to cloud-based offerings.  Continue Reading

• Low-code/no-code platforms for MSPs' in-house, external use

  Service providers gain agility and efficiency benefits when using these emerging development platforms, and also land consulting opportunities with clients.  Continue Reading

• Partners see growth in maturing on-premises cloud technology

  Colocation, data-center-as-a-service offerings and cloud-like consumption models offer customers alternatives -- or adjuncts -- to public cloud platforms.  Continue Reading

• Partners weigh OEMs' private cloud options for clients

  Dell Apex, HPE GreenLake and NetApp Keystone are among the pay-per-use hardware platforms partners can offer clients considering alternatives to the public cloud.  Continue Reading

• The benefits and drawbacks of co-creating innovation

  Collaborating ecosystem partners can access a broader range of talent and accelerate time to market, but they must closely manage their relationships.  Continue Reading

• A guide to MSP patch management best practices

  As software patch management challenges mount, industry experts offer advice to MSPs on prioritizing system risk levels, selecting proper tools and testing patches internally.  Continue Reading

• Keeping pace with different types of manufacturing processes

  It's horses for courses in the industrial sector as partners look to help various kinds of manufacturers run on the emerging technologies that track with their needs.  Continue Reading

• Digital transformation in manufacturing melds emerging tech

  Partners work with customers to absorb a mixture of AI, IIoT, hyperautomation, 5G and cloud computing, while dealing with the challenge of highly distributed organizations.  Continue Reading

• Explore unfolding managed IT services for manufacturing

  MSPs are exploring opportunities to help manufacturers navigate digital transformation challenges, including integrating legacy systems and staying competitive.  Continue Reading

• How MSPs can help in building resilience in supply chains

  Channel partners have stepped in to try to address supply chain disruptions, but not all vendors feel MSPs, consultants and other partners have the solutions manufacturers need.  Continue Reading

• Partner ecosystem strategy: Co-innovation and other variants

  Co-innovation, generative partnering and co-creation describe alliances among customers, service providers and tech vendors. But what do the terms mean and what are the benefits?  Continue Reading

• Co-innovation partnership model emerges as best practice

  Digital transformations have pushed technology to evolve rapidly, sparking co-innovation as a partnership model to drive change among vendors, channel partners and customers.  Continue Reading

• Partners cite reinforcement learning use cases, gradual uptake

  Consultants view reinforcement learning as a tool for decision-making at scale and a way to solve optimization problems, but its capabilities remain a mystery for some customers.  Continue Reading

• Financial industry cloud model gains momentum

  Channel partners working with industry clouds, such as IBM's Cloud for Financial Services, can limit the work customers must do to meet application security and compliance requirements.  Continue Reading

• Consultants see retail payment systems adapt to pandemic

  A mix of consulting and integration opportunities could drive partner business, as retailers look to adopt omnichannel technologies and hybrid sales models.  Continue Reading

• VoltaGrid taps Rackspace for AI Ecosystem portal, cloud app

  With a lofty goal to revolutionize the mobile energy industry, VoltaGrid needed support to improve customer operations quickly. Learn how MSP Rackspace Technology stepped up.  Continue Reading

• Web consulting project helps users prep for language test

  Computools created a website for users preparing for the International English Language Testing System exam, which helps people study in, or migrate to, English-speaking nations.  Continue Reading

• SD-WAN project covers security, latency and cloud

  PM Pediatrics, an urgent care provider, hired service provider Vandis to improve branch security, but the project transformed into something much broader.  Continue Reading

• Mission's machine learning consulting gig boosts image

  E-card platform JibJab sought a better way to crop images for a new physical book product. Mission improved the process's accuracy in an effort that won a 2021 Top Projects Award.  Continue Reading

• Aruba partner equips facility with managed network solutions

  To build room to grow, Wiptec established a new distribution center with Aruba Edge Service Platform. See how channel partner CPU ensured a smooth process from start to finish.  Continue Reading

• MSPs set up IT services for retail transformations

  MSPs can help the retail industry digitally transform in six areas, including customer and employee experience, and emerge stronger after the unique challenges of 2020 and 2021.  Continue Reading

• 5 ways to improve MSP marketing and sales

  Review these tips to get a better understanding of the people, process and tools you'll need to bolster what has been a traditional weakness among service providers.  Continue Reading

• AIOps challenges ease into MSP system management

  AIOps is still early in development; however, the technology will help channel partners and customers contextualize large volumes of data and streamline management processes.  Continue Reading

• Cloud data platforms spark partners' consulting business

  Service providers can find a range of consulting opportunities as they help clients navigate a plethora of emerging data management platforms and associated tools.  Continue Reading

• Channel partners prepare data analytics managed services

  Customers may not fully understand AI and machine learning technology yet, but channel partners have been building their expertise to make the use cases a reality for clients.  Continue Reading

• Cloud for industry sectors calls for co-innovation

  The verticalization of cloud computing will hinge on alliances in which service providers, hyperscalers and customers collaborate on industry-specific platforms.  Continue Reading

• MSPs find soft-skill, tech challenges in help desk ticketing

  Service provider personnel must work through automation, staffing and software challenges when they deploy help desk ticketing central business management systems.  Continue Reading

• Deloitte software engineering gets global boost

  Recent acquisitions help the consultancy pursue 24/7 software sprints to meet customer demand for digitalization and faster product delivery cycles.  Continue Reading

• Partners see client transformation in industry clouds

  Verticalized offerings could help organizations get more out of their cloud investments and seize competitive advantage, with service providers playing an advisory role.  Continue Reading

• Keeping talent may call for apprenticeships, training

  Service providers struggling with conventional employee hiring and retention approaches may need to pursue alternate routes, industry executives said.  Continue Reading

• 2023 partner events calendar

  This channel partner conference listing features a range of events for MSPs, cloud consultants, resellers, systems integrators and other partner types.  Continue Reading

• Data analytics in IoT offers new opportunities for MSPs

  For MSPs monitoring thousands of IoT devices, parsing the associated data stream provides an outlet for growth. MSPs, however, must first acquire the essential skills.  Continue Reading

• Service providers predict 2022 technology trends

  Cloud developments, data analytics technology and nascent metaverses could keep consultants and integrators occupied for the coming year and well beyond.  Continue Reading

• IoT hardware sales can bolster MSPs

  Offering connected devices could prove a lucrative business, given the potential to monitor a large installed base. But MSPs must prepare for the scope of the challenge.  Continue Reading

• IoT opportunities for MSPs in monitoring, management

  Partners can extend their existing services into the realm of IoT, but they should brace themselves for massive device populations and gear up for security.  Continue Reading

• 4 key managed services trends to watch in 2022

  Service providers should prepare to navigate industry consolidation, an uneven vertical market landscape, rising digital transformation demand and new partnering models.  Continue Reading

• Multi-cloud deployments challenge customers, partners

  The complexity of operating multiple clouds has opened opportunities for consultants and service providers, who aim to instill a more holistic management approach.  Continue Reading

• Consultants promote sustainability in technology industry

  IT advisors aim to boost green practices, assessing everything from air travel to service delivery methods. Their efforts influence the sustainability services they offer clients.  Continue Reading

• SearchITChannel 2021 Top Projects Awards

  We're recognizing channel partners that have supported a client's groundbreaking IT initiative. Nominate your company for the SearchITChannel Top Projects Awards below.  Continue Reading

• SMB cybersecurity challenges create new roles for MSPs

  SMB cybersecurity challenges have caused MSPs to become their clients' go-to security experts. Here are tips for becoming a security-focused MSP.  Continue Reading

• Sustainability consulting services on the rise

  Partners' offerings for sustainability initiatives range from technical services and tools to leadership advice. Supply chain concerns and regulatory duties could boost demand.  Continue Reading

• Local government ransomware attacks and how MSPs can help

  State and local government ransomware attacks will persist unless agencies put stronger security measures in place. MSPs offer a cost-effective means of support.  Continue Reading

• State and local government technology revs digital services

  Agencies, in a bid to quickly roll out citizen services, rely on a combination of chatbots, upgraded networks, no-code/low-code technology and cloud computing.  Continue Reading

• IT firm scores victory with stadium technology project

  IT services provider Atomic Data helped set up key networking components for FC Cincinnati's new soccer stadium. The project deployed a mix of Aruba Networks technology.  Continue Reading

• Citrix partner supports UTM's remote learning technologies

  Citrix partner Third Octet made its first foray into the education vertical in 2020, when it helped the University of Toronto Mississauga execute a remote learning transition.  Continue Reading

• AWS Marketplace professional services gain momentum

  Partners cite flexible contracting and custom offers as key advantages of selling in the marketplace, but they look for AWS to help with T&M contracting and catalog creation.  Continue Reading

• Education technology market seeks stability in hybrid model

  Channel partners said schools now have a chance to revisit hastily created remote learning systems as they take a longer-term, enterprise view of cloud and security.  Continue Reading

• Cloud integration services emerge as partner opportunity

  Consultants help customers unify disparate cloud systems, offering services reminiscent of 1980s vintage systems integration. They face obstacles along the way, however.  Continue Reading

• SearchITChannel Top Projects Awards for 2021

  We're recognizing channel partners that have supported a client's groundbreaking IT initiative. Nominate your company for the SearchITChannel Top Projects Awards below.  Continue Reading

• Accenture backs Climeworks on CO2 removal tech

  The consulting firm offers software, market advice and visual design services to the carbon removal venture, which recently opened a plant in Iceland.  Continue Reading

• Cisco routes to market expand amid cloud marketplace growth

  Cisco cited a significant shift toward the cloud and a decline in reselling. However, the company said resellers will remain important to its sales approach.  Continue Reading

• AI, zero trust support remote work technologies

  Artificial intelligence and zero-trust frameworks have played a critical role in helping enterprises support a surging remote workforce.  Continue Reading

• Channel companies face cybersecurity reckoning

  A CompTIA ChannelCon panel discusses the current landscape and what it means for channel partners that must strengthen their own security while protecting their clients.  Continue Reading

• Salesforce partner demand soars, M&A follows

  The Salesforce skills crunch has generated a wave of acquisitions in the partner ecosystem. But M&A isn't the only remedy: Consultants have also boosted training.  Continue Reading

• How cloud consultants execute a product development strategy

  Creating intellectual property can help partners meet soaring demand for cloud services, differentiate their offerings and boost their appeal to investors.  Continue Reading

• Tech giants foster green software engineering movement

  The Green Software Foundation, which includes Accenture and Microsoft as members, will create an ecosystem of people, standards, tools and practices to develop green software.  Continue Reading

• Does the Microsoft partner ecosystem follow the 80/20 rule?

  Partner Elevate director Desmond Russell believes Microsoft's channel strategy underserves the bulk of its partners. Here's how Microsoft could better support its channel ecosystem.  Continue Reading

• SADA's FinOps lead sheds light on an emerging field

  In this Q&A, SADA's Rich Hoyer discusses the fundamentals of FinOps, why it's gaining visibility, and the conundrum of cloud technology and its value to customers.  Continue Reading

• Tips for MSPs to bridge the cybersecurity talent gap

  Hiring and retaining cybersecurity professionals represent uphill battles. Some MSPs have adopted a combination of internal training and AI tools to offset the dearth in talent.  Continue Reading

• Why and how MSPs adopt cybersecurity industry standards

  Cybersecurity industry standards can help MSPs mitigate internal security risks. Here are the benefits and challenges of adopting security frameworks.  Continue Reading

• Selling professional services on cloud marketplaces

  Partners say cloud sales platforms offer a way to find new customers, launch proofs of concept and seed bigger deals. Learn more about this emerging channel.  Continue Reading

• In-house vs. outsourced marketing for MSPs

  Content marketing has emerged as an effective strategy for MSPs, but it can get tricky when deciding if in-house or outsourced talent should create these marketing materials.  Continue Reading

• Consultants work around mainframe staffing limitations

  Specialized service providers aim to offset labor constraints with a mix of education programs, on-the-job experience and tools such as robotic process automation.  Continue Reading

• Exec discusses Ensono acquisition, vertical strategy

  In this Q&A, Ensono president Marc Capri details the company's post-deal plans, which include bolstering its transformation capabilities and cultivating an industry focus.  Continue Reading

• Accenture: Channel partner ecosystem taps cloud, innovation

  Times have changed for channel partners. Companies today drive most business through cloud providers and seek to co-innovate industry-specific offerings with technology partners.  Continue Reading

• Outcome-based contracting sees uptick during pandemic

  Contracts that tie service provider payments to results has gained momentum as customers pursue digital transformation projects. Learn about the implications for service providers.  Continue Reading

• Accenture Cloud First exec cites C-suite engagement

  In this Q&A, Accenture Cloud First lead Karthik Narain reflects on the business group's first months of operations and the growing C-suite interest in cloud computing.  Continue Reading

• IoT integration services evolve in maturing market

  IT service providers are moving upstream to address client needs in an IoT market that has lost some, but not all, of its science project reputation.  Continue Reading

• Top MSP marketing tools to generate leads

  MSP marketing tools are a must-have for successful lead-gen efforts. Execs at Valiant Technology, SADA and Synoptek round up the products supporting their marketing strategies.  Continue Reading

• Digital maturity laggards play catchup, consultants say

  Companies behind the curve of digital transformation can close the gap on digital business leaders, according to professional services firms.  Continue Reading

• E-commerce firm Radial taps Presidio for VDI cloud migration

  As the pandemic sparked a surge in e-commerce demand, Radial needed to expand its capabilities. Learn how Presidio helped Radial with a VDI cloud migration to VMware Cloud on AWS.  Continue Reading

• Aruba partner tackles university's wireless network upgrade

  Doane University kicked off a two-phase wireless network overhaul in response to the pandemic. Learn how Aruba partner DataVizion has helped execute the project.  Continue Reading

• SAP modernization calls for varied skills, phased approach

  SAP's partner ecosystem plays a role in legacy-system-to-cloud migration, moving customers away from aging hardware platforms such as mainframes and client-server systems.  Continue Reading

• Co-managed IT support sees demand in the remote work era

  As businesses weather the pandemic, many organizations' IT departments find themselves pushed to the limits and in need of outside help. Enter co-managed IT support services.  Continue Reading

• Unified communications managed services evolve amid pandemic

  Service-level agreements, management layers, incident tracking and governance are all part of the evolving cloud communications service provider business model.  Continue Reading

• How MSPs can build a post-merger integration team

  Combining two companies is a complex undertaking, spanning employees, operations and line-of-business applications. An integration team ensures MSPs stay on task.  Continue Reading

• Archival cloud storage market expands for channel partners

  Channel partners can expect demand for archival cloud storage to grow as vendors mature their offerings. Learn about this cloud storage category's strengths and limitations.  Continue Reading