The coronavirus pandemic has created challenges for most global industries, and MSPs are no exception. It has also created unexpected opportunities, and MSPs have found themselves in great demand as businesses scramble to switch to a remote work environment while keeping all their systems running reliably.
Datto, a company that provides tools and solutions for MSPs, recently surveyed more than 1,800 global MSPs. The company found that many MSPs have had to lower their growth expectations in the wake of COVID-19. But a majority believe that they will not only survive the pandemic, but are discovering new opportunities.
In fact, one in 10 MSPs reported they expect their revenues to increase due to an acceleration in security and cloud migration projects. The new projects have largely resulted from the trend toward remote work. A large number of service providers also expect to move critical client workloads from local hardware into the cloud within the next few months. Those surveyed also reported they predict more than 70 percent of their clients will use Microsoft 365 cloud services within the next two years.
According to Steve Clark, sales director at Datto, MSPs were initially focused on providing secure and reliable remote networking for their customers at the onset of the pandemic. That focus has shifted to finding new ways to offer value to those clients, including VoIP, Microsoft Azure migrations, business continuity and resilience solutions and new hardware sales.
Many companies have also decided to prioritize long-term digital transformation projects during the coronavirus pandemic, according to the MSPs surveyed. Upgraded security solutions have been in great demand, prompted by a slew of COVID-19 related ransomware, phishing and malware attacks.
MSPs are using technologies like SaaS business continuity and disaster recovery to combat those threats and safeguard data. Remote monitoring and management technologies have also been a popular choice for ensuring businesses remain up and operating remotely.
In even more positive news, many of the MSPs surveyed viewed the pandemic as a time to optimize their internal processes and systems to create a stronger foundation for growth. Some said they expect to hire new employees and win new clients as a result.
To learn more about how MSPs have weathered the pandemic and used it as an opportunity to expand and grow, TMC is hosting its MSP Expo from June 22-25 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The event will offer opportunities for MSPs and technology specialists to collaborate and learn about growing their networks and driving revenues.
Edited by
Maurice Nagle
