Channel Futures, part of Informa TechTarget, is a destination for the information technology and communications industry. We provide news and information, analysis and connection for the entire channel ecosystem, including solution providers (SPs), managed service providers (MSPs), managed security service providers (MSSPs), cloud service providers (CSPs), value-added resellers (VARs) and distributors, technology services distributors (TSDs) and technology advisors (agents), as well as leading technology vendor partners and communication providers.

Our properties include the Channel Futures MSP 501, a list of the most influential and fastest-growing providers of managed services in the technology industry, and we are the official media sponsor of Channel Partners events, including the Channel Partners Conference & Expo − the world's largest independent channel event − and the MSP Summit. Channel Futures is where the world meets the channel.

Our Story

Channel Futures is leading channel partners forward with the timely insights, deep industry analysis, meaningful peer engagement and real-world business information they need to grow their organizations and build their sales practices. Driven by an accelerated evolution of business models focused on cloud, communications, information security and emerging technologies, Channel Futures is a unique destination for the information technology and communications community.

Channel Futures is part of the Informa TechTarget media family.

Where the World Meets the Channel

Channel Futures provides much needed context and delivers fresh voices, analysis, research, lists and insight from the most diverse collection of influential leaders across the tech spectrum. We recognize that changes in the industry, new technologies and the impact of cloud computing have significantly changed the way our readers and event attendees conduct business and sales. Our strategic response was the development of Channel Futures as a destination site to reduce information overload, simplify advertiser and sponsor communications, and focus on providing a streamlined customer experience for our combined audiences. At the core, we deliver a platform for our channel communities to come together — virtually and in person.

Media

Our content is founded on an impressive set of historical media resources, including The VAR Guy, MSPmentor, Talkin’ Cloud and Channel Partners Online. Together, these media properties provided a fresh source of information, guidance and community for the entire channel. Today, we have leveraged this strong content to provide channel program updates, introduce new and advanced technologies, deliver strategic business advice and more. Our Channel Futures website can be navigated by partner type and technology, and our sponsors can target specific partners for communications.

The Channel Futures MSP 501

The Channel Futures MSP 501 has become the definitive listing of the most influential and fastest-growing providers of managed services in the technology industry. The standard of success in the tech sector is the ability to build a business around recurring revenue. The MSP 501 helps MSPs make decisions about where they will focus their business-building efforts by examining the growth of specific solutions and the impact of cloud and other emerging technologies each year. It also includes a quarterly confidence poll of MSP 501 executives that further extends the Channel Futures franchise.

Events

For more than 25 years, we have hosted the largest independent channel event in the world — the Channel Partners Conference & Expo. In response to the community’s needs, we have expanded on this over the years, adding the MSP 501 Awards Gala and the MSP Summit.

Hosting more than 10,000 attendees annually, our events provide executive-level programming and invaluable face-to-face connection with peers and vendors for business solutions and services. The Channel Partners Conference & Expo co-locates with the MSP Summit in the spring, and we host a fall MSP Summit to strengthen our position as the industry-leading, in-person destination for the entire channel community to meet, conduct business and outline plans for the coming year.

Research & Analysis

As an Informa TechTarget company, we can leverage advanced, targeted research as the foundation to help the entire channel ecosystem identify buyers’ needs and gaps to better inform their sales and marketing strategies. This research provides valuable insight and guidance at every phase − from discovery to purchase intent to advocacy − helping our community to better understand the channel audience, expand into new markets, test product concepts or refine strategic plans. Our research division, Omdia, unifies and harnesses the depth and breadth of expertise from our legacy research brands: Ovum, IHS Markit Technology, Tractica and Heavy Reading. Omdia brings you unparalleled, world-class research and consultancy to navigate the now and create the future.

The Omdia Channel Research and Consulting Practice is part of a portfolio of brands dedicated to helping vendors and suppliers of technology and communications solutions and services accelerate growth while gaining insight into the future of the entire channel.

With expert channel research, data analysis and consulting services, Omdia Channel Research provides actionable data intelligence and strategic insights into the key market trends, technology innovations and strategies shaping the evolving partner and supplier channel.

The foundation of the channel research and intelligence is the proprietary data from Channel Futures’ MSP 501, the first, largest, and most comprehensive survey and ranking of managed service providers in the world for more than 17 years. When combined with world-class vertical market data and analysis from research partner Omdia, we bring a unique and holistic view into the entire technology channel ecosystem.

We also frequently collaborate with Informa's Canalys, the global technology analyst firm, to share statistics and research from the top channel analysts in the world.