Could Print Threaten MSPs in 2016?

Buying Their Way to Success!

Most VARs fought a long and hard battle to become MSPs. I personally witnessed this transformative process over a decade in the early 2000s. The resulting MSPs were battled hardened and had the scars to prove it.

Office machine companies don't have the luxury of time. They need a fast entrance into managed services and cloud computing. They need speed, agility, and a ramp up time that has never been seen before in our profession. What do they do? They buy their way into managed services.

Office machine companies have been purchasing MSP businesses for a few years now and what makes this unique is that these companies don't need lessons on business management. They've been running successful companies for decades.

What these companies need is technical knowledge and talent to allow them to bring new services to existing customer accounts. This means MSPs offer office machine companies the path of least resistance to a new world of cloud and managed services offerings. It means a renewed lease on life for an outdated business model.

How Should MSPs React?

First, MSPs need to be aware of these trends. Being aware can help prepare MSPs for the future. This trends presents one clear opportunity for MSPs looking to exit the profession; just look for a print/office machine company with no IT division and you probably could get a decent price.

Second, MSPs should be aware of office machine companies entering the MSP profession so they can be prepared for new competition. This time, MSPs won't be facing telcos who are too large to provide boutique services. Office machine companies are often nimble, manageable, and intelligent organizations. While they may not have the expertise of a MSP, they understand business and how to run one successfully.

Third, and more from an industry standpoint, I think business savvy office machine companies entering the managed services profession is a good thing. It provides an opportunity for our industry to flourish with a new perspective. A revitalization of sorts. It's a chance for MSP technology to combine with business acumen and really meet the needs of the customer.

For a long time now the MSP profession has needed an infusion of new blood. We've never really lacked for technological innovation. That has been a hallmark of managed services for quite some time. Now we have the chance to have true business innovation within the managed services community.