Earlier this month, I joined over two thousand people for the annual journey to MSP Global. This year, the event was hosted at Port Aventura, a fantastic location on the coast of Spain, about an hour south of Barcelona. The audience was largely composed of managed service providers (MSPs), value-added resellers, distributors, and a host of software vendors, including Acronis, who kicked off the first day with their partner event.
The event delivered a wealth of knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and networking for the managed services sector. Over three days, industry leaders, partners, and experts came together to share insights, strengthen partnerships, and enjoy some fun in the process. Here are the five main learnings that stood out to me:
One of the clearest trends from MSP Global is the accelerated shift of MSPs (Managed Service Providers) into MSSPs (Managed Security Service Providers). As cybersecurity threats grow more sophisticated and businesses face increasing compliance demands, MSPs are now expected to provide not just IT services, but also robust security solutions.
Many speakers and participants highlighted how MSPs are expanding their offerings to include security services like threat detection, incident response, and compliance management. This transition is crucial for those looking to stay competitive in a landscape where cyber-attacks are becoming more frequent and damaging.
The Takeaway: MSPs that successfully incorporate security into their service portfolios are well-positioned to gain a competitive advantage.
With data protection regulations like GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) tightening across Europe, MSPs and resellers are under pressure to ensure their cloud storage solutions are compliant. At MSP Global, there was a lot of buzz around the need for storage solutions that prioritize data privacy and security without breaking the bank.
Impossible Cloud’s GDPR-compliant storage solution attracted attention from many MSPs looking to integrate secure cloud storage into their backup and disaster recovery offerings—especially given our seamless integration with Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud. As compliance remains a top priority, secure cloud storage is quickly becoming a must-have rather than a nice-to-have.
The Takeaway: MSPs must prioritize GDPR-compliant storage solutions that address security, privacy, and compliance, particularly for customers in heavily regulated industries.
A central theme at MSP Global was the importance of strong partner ecosystems—and the value of solid relationships within those ecosystems. After all, we are all just people working with other people!
MSPs are increasingly looking to build or join alliances that provide added value through integrations, joint solutions, and co-marketing efforts. Working closely with strategic partners allows MSPs to deliver more comprehensive solutions to their customers.
Conversations at the event emphasized how ecosystem partnerships create a multiplier effect, enabling MSPs to leverage each other’s strengths while expanding their service offerings. For Impossible Cloud, our role within the Acronis ecosystem was well-received in discussions, and it was clear that MSPs who invest in building these relationships will continue to thrive.
The Takeaway: The future of MSP success lies in the strength of their ecosystems. By working with strategic partners, MSPs can scale more effectively and offer broader solutions to meet client needs.
Automation emerged as a major theme, with discussions on how MSPs can leverage automation to drive efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service delivery. Tools like AI-driven monitoring, automated backups, and incident response systems allow MSPs to do more with less, freeing up resources for higher-value tasks like customer engagement and strategic planning.
Jim D'Espinosa from Rewst shared how automation tools are helping MSPs streamline processes, particularly in cybersecurity and operations management. By automating repetitive tasks, MSPs can improve response times and deliver more consistent service to clients.
The Takeaway: Embracing automation is essential for MSPs looking to scale operations and improve service efficiency. The right tools can enhance productivity while reducing the risk of human error.
Edge computing was a hot topic at MSP Global. As businesses seek to reduce latency and improve data processing speeds, edge computing allows data to be processed closer to where it’s generated—whether at a manufacturing plant, retail store, or remote office. MSPs that help their customers deploy and manage edge computing infrastructure will have a competitive edge (pun intended).
Edge computing enables MSPs to offer new services, such as real-time data processing and IoT solutions, opening doors to innovation in sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and smart cities.
The Takeaway: As more companies adopt decentralized IT infrastructures, MSPs that provide edge computing solutions will be seen as essential partners for future growth.
MSP Global 2024 was packed with great insights, networking opportunities, and forward-thinking companies that will shape the future of managed services. As MSPs continue to evolve, those that adapt to these trends—embracing security, compliance, automation, and edge computing—will lead the charge in a rapidly changing industry.
At Impossible Cloud, we’re excited to empower our partners with secure, GDPR-compliant storage solutions that integrate seamlessly with leading backup and recovery platforms. We also offer decentralized tools to enable edge computing and a partner management platform to enable automation, further addressing the evolving needs of today’s MSPs. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to innovate in the cloud storage space and build on key industry trends.
.png)
.png)
.png)
