How are managed service providers driving the channel’s growth? A recent Techaisle study examined the current state of MSPs in the channel.

Techaisle’s “The State of US SMB Managed Services Channel” study indicated all MSP respondents support small and medium-sized business (SMB) customers, and 80 percent of systems integrators as well as roughly two-thirds of value-added resellers and solution providers said they offer managed services to SMB customers. 

“There has been and continues to be substantial take-up in managed services as a business delivery model outside of MSPs,” Techaisle wrote in a blog post. “This will help to build SMB customer awareness of the benefits of the approach and comfort with managed services as a delivery model. It will also have a positive impact on the channel generally, as experience with managed services helps build channel familiarity with recurring revenue models which will be important in other important channel business areas, such as cloud.”

Other study results included:

So what does the future hold for managed services in the channel? 

Techaisle pointed out IT specialists may begin “to dominate managed services as a focus area.”

In addition, a recent CompTIA study showed many SMBs want innovative technology partners, and a lack of innovative technology solutions is one of the primary reasons why some of these companies choose to switch IT firms.

CompTIA’s “Enabling SMBs with Technology” study, released in May, revealed more than 70 percent of SMBs said they have used an outside IT firm at least occasionally over the past 12 months.

Also, the study showed 46 percent of SMBs noted that they look to outside IT firms when they need greater expertise and new options, which could create new opportunities for innovative MSPs.

What are your thoughts on the managed services market? Share your thoughts about this story in the Comments section below, via Twitter @dkobialka or email me at [email protected].