Microsoft marketplace partner Pax8's inaugural report about AI's impact on SMBs, introduces the concept of managed intelligence providers (MIPs), an evolution of managed service providers (MSPs), tasked with orchestrating and governing intelligent agents to drive business outcomes.
The report, titled "The Agentic Inflection Point: And the Rise of the Managed Intelligence Provider," highlights a significant shift in SMB operations through the adoption of AI-powered agents. The study identifies four levels of AI agent functionality -- chatbots, assistants, digital labor and digital workforce -- each representing increasing autonomy and business impact. According to the report, 54 percent of midsize organizations have already deployed AI, and 83 percent of "high-growth SMBs" are pilot testing it, indicating a trend toward AI-native businesses.
Pax8 emphasizes the urgency for MSPs to transition into MIPs within the next 24 to 36 months to remain competitive. The report also discusses new monetization models aligned with AI services, such as per-agent, per-action, per-workflow and per-outcome pricing structures.
"The proliferation of these AI agents will allow SMBs to compete against large enterprises and scale faster than ever, and Managed Intelligence Providers will be key to enabling the technology," said Pax8 CEO Scott Chasin, adding, "MSPs that evolve quickly into the MIP model will be poised to experience long-term success in the new paradigm."
The "RCP Channel Briefing" blog is researched, fact-checked, edited and updated by the editors of RCPmag.com, with writing assistance from AI.
Posted by Redmond Channel Partner magazine staff on July 09, 20250 comments
Microsoft this week launched Azure Accelerate, a unified platform that merges the Azure Migrate and Modernize with Azure Innovate programs.
The new Azure Accelerate aims to streamline cloud and AI adoption by providing enterprises with expert guidance, funding and deployment assistance.
A key component is the Cloud Accelerate Factory, offering free deployment support for over 30 Azure services, delivered jointly with specialized partners. Under the program, Microsoft partners will be tasked with delivering hands-on deployment, migration and optimization services for customers adopting AI and cloud workloads.
Azure Accelerate supports various migration scenarios, including Windows Server, SQL Server, Linux, Oracle and high-performance computing workloads. It also facilitates the development of intelligent applications using Microsoft's AI platform and scalable analytics solutions.
The "RCP Channel Briefing" blog is researched, fact-checked, edited and updated by the editors of RCPmag.com, with writing assistance from AI.
Posted by Redmond Channel Partner magazine staff on July 08, 20250 comments
U.K.-based IT services provider and Microsoft Solutions Partner boxxe has acquired CAE Technology Services Limited, a Cisco Gold Partner with a strong presence in networking and security.
The acquisition, finalized on July 3, aims to enhance boxxe's capabilities in both the private and public sectors, especially in healthcare and education, where CAE has a deep roster of customers. The deal also includes CAE's subsidiary, Novus Networks Limited.
CAE will continue to operate independently before integrating into boxxe within the next year. Phil Doye, who acquired boxxe in 2019, will serve as group CEO. Doye is something of an IT channel magnate, having previously founded solution provider Kelway, which he subsequently sold to VAR giant CDW.
This acquisition follows boxxe's purchase of Total Computer Networks Limited in 2024, reflecting a broader strategy to expand its customer base and service offerings.
The "RCP Channel Briefing" blog is researched, fact-checked, edited and updated by the editors of RCPmag.com, with writing assistance from AI.
Posted by Redmond Channel Partner magazine staff on July 08, 20250 comments
Longtime Microsoft partner Commvault is taking steps to bolster its own channel program.
The data security giant announced a strategic leadership reshuffle on Tuesday, appointing Alan Atkinson as Chief Business Development Officer, and bringing on Michelle Graff as Senior Vice President of Global Partners and Channel. Atkinson, previously Commvault's Chief Partner Officer, will now oversee strategic alliances and business development initiatives. Graff, a veteran in channel leadership, will manage global partner programs and channel strategies.
This leadership change comes as Commvault aims to enhance its partner ecosystem amid a competitive data protection landscape. Atkinson's experience includes roles at Dell Technologies and as CEO of WysDM Software, providing him with a strong background in cloud and data protection. Graff's appointment is expected to bolster partner engagement and drive channel growth.
The restructuring aligns with industry trends where companies are focusing on strengthening partnerships to expand market reach. Commvault's emphasis on strategic alliances and channel development reflects its commitment to adapting to the evolving needs of enterprise IT and developer communities.
The "RCP Channel Briefing" blog is researched, fact-checked, edited and updated by the editors of RCPmag.com, with writing assistance from AI.
Posted by Redmond Channel Partner magazine staff on July 08, 20250 comments
Microsoft CSP Coretek has acquired Detroit-based Total Solutions Inc., enhancing its expertise in AI, data and Microsoft Power Platform.
Announced Monday, the acquisition aims to strengthen Coretek's position in delivering comprehensive Microsoft-centric solutions across various industries. Total Solutions, known for its proficiency in AI and data implementations, will integrate into Coretek, bringing a team experienced in Power Platform and application modernization. The merger is expected to broaden Coretek's service offerings, including enterprise AI frameworks, data architecture, and managed security operations.
Ron Lisch, CEO of Coretek, stated, "As demand for secure AI adoption and intelligent data platforms continues to surge, Coretek is investing in the talent and tools that help organizations turn complexity into clarity."
The integration process has already started, with both companies operating under the Coretek brand. Further details on customer support programs are expected in the coming weeks.
The "RCP Channel Briefing" blog is researched, fact-checked, edited and updated by the editors of RCPmag.com, with writing assistance from AI.
Posted by Redmond Channel Partner magazine staff on July 07, 20250 comments
Crowe LLP's AI-driven lease management solution has been accepted into Microsoft's Dynamics 365 Agent Initiative, the consulting firm announced late last month.
Microsoft has been urging its partners to leverage its stack as they begin incorporating AI agents into their portfolios. Crowe's lease agent was one of several partner agents that Microsoft spotlighted at its Build conference in May.
"We're excited to bring our expertise across various industries to this initiative," said Luis Lopez-Garay, Microsoft Cloud AI solutions leader at Crowe. "Being selected for the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Agent Initiative reflects our commitment to delivering AI-powered solutions that are not only innovative, but purpose-built to meet the evolving needs of our clients."
The "RCP Channel Briefing" blog is researched, fact-checked, edited and updated by the editors of RCPmag.com, with writing assistance from AI.
Posted by Redmond Channel Partner magazine staff on July 03, 20250 comments
This week, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) completed its $14 billion acquisition of Juniper Networks, following a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that addressed antitrust concerns.
The DOJ settlement, reached last month, mandates HPE to divest its Instant On wireless networking business within 180 days and license Juniper's Mist AI software source code to competitors. The DOJ's initial lawsuit, filed in January 2025, argued that the merger would reduce competition in the enterprise-grade WLAN market. The settlement's requirements aim to preserve market competition while allowing HPE to proceed with the acquisition.
HPE announced its intent to buy Juniper in early 2024. The acquisition doubles HPE's networking business and integrates Juniper's AI-driven networking solutions, including the Mist AI platform, with HPE's existing offerings. This positions HPE to better compete with industry leaders like Cisco and Nvidia in the AI networking space.
As part of the integration, HPE is forming a new networking business unit by combining Juniper with its Aruba Networks division. Rami Rahim, former CEO of Juniper, will lead this unit, focusing on delivering AI-native networking solutions for enterprise, service provider and cloud customers.
The "RCP Channel Briefing" blog is researched, fact-checked, edited and updated by the editors of RCPmag.com, with writing assistance from AI.
Posted by Redmond Channel Partner magazine staff on July 02, 20250 comments
M-Files has announced an expanded partnership with Microsoft, integrating its AI-powered document management system directly into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Using Microsoft's SharePoint Embedded API, M-Files will store content natively within Microsoft 365, enabling users to access and manage documents through familiar interfaces like Teams, Outlook and Office applications.
The integration, announced Tuesday, aims to address common challenges in enterprise content management, such as fragmented information governance and siloed systems. By combining M-Files' metadata-driven automation with Microsoft's collaboration tools and AI capabilities, including Microsoft 365 Copilot and M-Files' own Aino, organizations can enhance productivity and reduce administrative overhead.
The goal is to offer a unified solution that enhances document management, streamlines workflows and leverages AI to provide more accurate and efficient content handling. The integration aligns with broader industry trends emphasizing AI-driven document management solutions. M-Files' recognition in Gartner's 2025 Magic Quadrant for Document Management underscores its growing influence in the sector.
The "RCP Channel Briefing" blog is researched, fact-checked, edited and updated by the editors of RCPmag.com, with writing assistance from AI.
Posted by Redmond Channel Partner magazine staff on July 01, 20250 comments
Guardz has introduced its Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR) solution, designed to help MSPs detect and mitigate identity-based cyber threats.
The ITDR tool leverages AI and behavioral analytics to identify anomalies in user behavior, such as unusual login patterns or privilege escalations, and automates responses like account suspension to prevent potential breaches.
This launch comes as identity-based attacks become increasingly prevalent. According to IBM's X-Force Threat Intelligence Index, such attacks accounted for 30 percent of total intrusions in 2024. Traditional security measures often fail to detect these threats, as attackers use legitimate credentials to access systems. The introduction of ITDR reflects a broader industry shift toward identity-focused security frameworks, emphasizing the need for real-time monitoring and automated response mechanisms to protect against sophisticated cyber threats.
Guardz's ITDR is integrated into its existing platform and is available across all service plans, with enhanced features for Ultimate Plan subscribers, including 24/7 monitoring by the Guardz Security Operations Center.
The "RCP Channel Briefing" blog is researched, fact-checked, edited and updated by the editors of RCPmag.com, with writing assistance from AI.
Posted by Redmond Channel Partner magazine staff on July 01, 20250 comments
Longtime Microsoft partner Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has expanded its collaboration with Redmond to develop new AI and cloud solutions, with the goal of helping enterprises modernize their legacy systems.
Announced last week, this new multiyear partnership will see TCS integrate Microsoft technologies (namely Azure AI Foundry, Microsoft Fabric, Power Platform and Copilot Studio) into its existing products (including TCS Cloud Exponence, Cloud Counsel, ignio for AIOps, Cloud Migration Factory, and Cloud Governance and Optimization Platform).
"This next phase of our collaboration with Microsoft spotlights the enduring role that AI and Cloud continue to play in driving business growth and transformation," said TCS vice president Krishna Mohan in a prepared statement.
The idea is to leverage AI tools and cloud scalability to overcome challenges faced by large enterprises during their digital transformation efforts, such as high costs, limited technical expertise and outdated systems.
The "RCP Channel Briefing" blog is researched, fact-checked, edited and updated by the editors of RCPmag.com, with writing assistance from AI.
Posted by Redmond Channel Partner magazine staff on June 27, 20250 comments
AvePoint this month introduced new capabilities to its Elements Platform, targeting managed service providers (MSPs) looking to improve their SMB security offerings. The updates include marketplace integration for license management, risk user insights for enhanced security monitoring, and tools for license and storage optimization.
"These new features demonstrate the evolution of AvePoint Elements to empower MSPs to navigate challenges with confidence and create sustainable competitive advantage in today's rapidly changing business landscape," said Scott Sacket, AvePoint's senior vice president of partner strategy, in a prepared statement.
To that end, the marketplace integration allows MSPs to manage client licenses directly within the Elements dashboard, reducing administrative overhead and minimizing billing errors. The risk user insight feature continuously monitors user activities across various security dimensions, enabling MSPs to proactively detect potential threats. License optimization tools help identify unused or inactive licenses, allowing for cost recovery and better resource allocation. And finally, storage optimization features assist in managing large volumes of data, ensuring compliance and freeing up technical resources.
These enhancements come as MSPs face increasing pressure to provide robust security measures while maintaining operational efficiency. In a study cited by AvePoint in its announcement, nearly a third of small and midsized businesses experience cyberattacks, and 81 percent believe AI increases the need for additional security controls.
The "RCP Channel Briefing" blog is researched, fact-checked, edited and updated by the editors of RCPmag.com, with writing assistance from AI.
Posted by Redmond Channel Partner magazine staff on June 26, 20250 comments
Security firm KnowBe4 announced a partnership with Microsoft this month designed to enhance email security, a persistent and frequently expensive weak spot for enterprises.
The integration, which will become generally available "soon," connects KnowBe4's Defend platform with Microsoft Defender for Office 365. The idea is to complement Microsoft's native quarantine capabilities with KnowBe4's inbound threat detection features, which the company says are powered by agentic AI.
"The technical implementation of this integration delivers immediate value to customers through seamless workflow integration," KnowBe4 said in a blog post. "When Defend identifies a message as potentially malicious, the system can now automatically push that message into Microsoft's quarantine using their established policies and procedures."
This collaboration comes as phishing attacks continue to rise; Microsoft highlighted phishing as a top threat in its 2024 Digital Defense Report, costing U.S. businesses an estimated $3.5 billion that year. By linking training tools with real-time security data, KnowBe4 and Microsoft aim to close gaps between user awareness and active defense.
The "RCP Channel Briefing" blog is researched, fact-checked, edited and updated by the editors of RCPmag.com, with writing assistance from AI.
Posted by Redmond Channel Partner magazine staff on June 25, 20250 comments