The professional services automation (PSA) platform market is expected to explode over the next few years.

And in 2015, numerous PSA platform companies made news with new releases and other announcements that could play an important role in this sector’s growth for years to come. 

Which PSA platform providers topped headlines this year? Here’s a closer look at five of the biggest PSA stories from 2015:

Passportal Integrates With ConnectWise

​In February, Passportal integrated with PSA platform provider ConnectWise to help channel partners streamline the customer onboarding process. The Canadian password management software company said the integration allows managed service providers (MSPs), independent software vendors (ISVs), IT service providers and value-added resellers (VARs) to simplify and speed up the onboarding process for customers.

Kaspersky, Autotask Join Forces on MSP Security Offering

Kaspersky Lab in July integrated the Autotask Endpoint Management solution into its anti-malware technologies to help MSPs protect their customers’ endpoint solutions. The solution enables MSPs to deliver a more unified approach for security management, Kaspersky said.

Tigerpaw Software Version 15R1: Here’s What MSPs Need to Know

Tigerpaw Software‘s highly anticipated “Matrix” business intelligence (BI) reporting tool is now available for MSPs. The PSA platform provider in June launched version 15R1 of its flagship offering, which includes the Matrix reporting tool, centralized billing and other new features.

ConnectWise Unveils PSA Platform With ‘Brain-Friendly’ User Interface

In March, ConnectWise unveiled ConnectWise 2015.3, a new version of its PSA platform that features a “brain-friendly” user interface (UI). April Taylor, ConnectWise’s senior product manager, said that ConnectWise 2015.3 simplifies navigation for MSP partners.

Autotask Acquires File Sync and Share Provider Soonr

​In July, Autotask announced plans to acquire Soonr, a San Jose, California-based provider of file synchronization sharing services. “Autotask delivers innovative offerings that manage mission-critical business processes for our customers. [The Soonr] acquisition fits perfectly within that objective and represents a significant managed services’ revenue opportunity for all MSPs,” Autotask CEO Mark Cattini said.

What are your thoughts on this year’s biggest PSA stories? Share your thoughts about this story in the Comments section below, via Twitter @dkobialka or email me at [email protected].