Mike Vizard

All posts by Mike Vizard

Mike Vizard has covered IT for more than 25 years, and has edited or contributed to a number of tech publications including InfoWorld, eWeek, CRN, Baseline, ComputerWorld, TMCNet, and Digital Review. He currently blogs for IT Business Edge and contributes to CIOinsight, The Channel Insider, Programmableweb and Slashdot. Mike blogs about emerging cloud technology for Smarter MSP.

Why AI could spark the next networking boom for MSPs

Why AI could spark the next networking boom for MSPs

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is set to accelerate demand for managed networking services as bandwidth consumption becomes more unpredictable than ever. AI is changing network traffic patterns According to a new report from Dell’Oro Group, managed local area...

/ July 2, 2026
Multiple paths to AI automation for MSPs

Multiple paths to AI automation for MSPs

One of the issues that every managed service provider (MSP) needs to contend with sooner rather than later is the degree to which they should build or buy artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. There is little doubt that most MSPs have,...

/ June 25, 2026
AI-driven zero-day threats are reshaping MSP patch management

AI-driven zero-day threats are reshaping MSP patch management

As artificial intelligence (AI) models become more adept at discovering zero-day vulnerabilities—and generating malware to exploit them—organizations will increasingly turn to managed service providers (MSPs) to accelerate patching as part of a broader effort to strengthen application security. AI models...

/ June 18, 2026
The growing role of IT service providers in the cloud era

The growing role of IT service providers in the cloud era

A global survey of 1,800 senior IT decision-makers at organizations with more than 1,000 employees finds that a full 81 percent either fully outsource or rely on professional services for cloud-related needs. Conducted by the market research firm Radius Tech...

/ June 11, 2026
The AI-cybersecurity connection MSPs can’t afford to ignore

The AI-cybersecurity connection MSPs can’t afford to ignore

One thing is becoming clear for managed service providers (MSPs): future growth will be driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity. More importantly, AI is accelerating demand for cybersecurity services. A recent survey conducted by the Global Technology Industry Association...

/ June 4, 2026
AI cost
Rising AI cost concerns create opportunities for MSPs

Rising AI cost concerns create opportunities for MSPs

As the number of tokens consumed by artificial intelligence (AI) agents and applications continues to climb, organizations are paying much closer attention to cost. It feels like the conversation has shifted almost overnight. Not long ago, the focus was on...

/ May 28, 2026
IT expertise
Inside IT: Opportunities MSPs should miss

Inside IT: Opportunities MSPs should miss

A global survey of 400 IT leaders provides some significant insights into the types of IT expertise that organizations might be willing to consider relying on a provider of IT services to provide. Conducted by the Linux Foundation, the survey...

/ May 21, 2026
cloud spend
Survey shows MSPs with cloud optimization expertise are in need

Survey shows MSPs with cloud optimization expertise are in need

A survey of 300 U.S. finance leaders at organizations with more than $50 million in revenue suggests companies are looking to fund artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives in part by optimizing cloud spending. Surging cloud costs A survey conducted by market...

/ May 14, 2026
MSPs will need to revisit pricing models in the age of AI

MSPs will need to revisit pricing models in the age of AI

Managed service providers (MSPs) have, with mixed success, been trying to nudge more customers toward value-based pricing models that are designed to benefit both parties. Rather than billing by the hour or charging a flat rate, the goal is to...

/ May 7, 2026
Worldwide IT services spending to increase in 2026

Worldwide IT services spending to increase in 2026

The market research firm Gartner is forecasting that global IT services revenue will increase 9 percent in 2026, reaching $1.87 trillion, up from $1.71 trillion in 2025. Overall, Gartner predicts worldwide IT spending will climb to $6.31 trillion in 2026—an...

/ April 30, 2026