Cloud, Mobile Collision Underline Critical Role of MSPs

Technology worlds are colliding, causing the Perfect Storm for organizations that aren’t prepared and creating tremendous opportunities for solution providers that are.

Data is being generated at a breakneck pace and organizations are in dire need of storage, access and security solutions. Much of this data-generation is coming from the communications and easy sharing of information on mobile devices. That is only going to increase moving forward and, as a result, businesses are turning to cloud computing to meet their needs.

This intersection of mobile device usage, management and integration with the adoption of cloud computing is putting solution providers in the catbird seat. In fact, many managed service providers already have begun transitioning their business models for this new opportunity by reinventing themselves, focusing on the user experience rather than server monitoring, and have learned how to upsell services in the era of cloud and mobility.

“We have reached a deflection point in managed services,” said Mike Cullen, vice president of Worldwide Sales and Business Strategy, MSP at N-able, during a recent VAR Guy webcast. There will be more change in the next two years than the last 15 and more opportunities for MSPs to re-invent themselves, leapfrog their competition and become more competitive with their pricing, he said.

Cullen and other channel experts agree that the role of the MSP will only become more critical as the consumerization of IT continues and IT departments increasingly need help managing and integrating mobile devices and tapping into the cloud for their storage and service needs.

Specifically, Cullen pointed to five main drivers that are changing the MSP model:

All of these factors play favorably to the strengths of MSPs. However, despite this enormous opportunity, the sad truth is that many MSPs will not make the transition, Cullen said, adding that N-able is committed to helping its channel partners along the way.

Don’t get left behind. Start taking advantage of the opportunities out there. If you don’t, someone else will.

Knock ’em alive!