Brian Sherman Posts

“There is a real opportunity for MSPs to plug in more advanced services and be a resource to their clients,” said Marc Haskelson, president/CEO, Compliancy Group, LLC, a member of the CompTIA Business Applications Advisory Council panel at ChannelCon 2019.

Leaders of the Canadian Business Technology Community understand the need for change. In order to help members address current challenges and prepare for those that will come in future years, they’re doubling down with new conversations, initiatives and other activities in 2019.

Five years ago, CompTIA created the ChannelChangers award. The association bestows this honor on a select group of young professionals who are making their mark within member companies, have shown success or originality as entrepreneurs, or have positively impacted the industry in other ways.

While many IT services professionals remain focused on infrastructure and closely related applications to support their clients, the emerging technologies are opening the imaginations ̶ and checkbooks ̶ of adventurous entrepreneurs. Based on current trends detailed in the CompTIA IT Industry Outlook 2019, the business case for these emerging solutions is quickly shifting from the speculative stage to one with real interest and revenue opportunities.

When Facebook officials announced last week that cybercriminals hacked their system and collected 50 million user access tokens, heavy GDPR fines became a distinct possibility.

Change is coming fast, and the incoming generation of tech-savvy workers is only going to accelerate the transformation. It’s time for providers and others who haven’t already made the leap forward to get busy.

IoT is the perfect opportunity for those in the business of technology. Not just from an infrastructure perspective ‒ which many providers, vendors, and distributors have taken part in building and enhancing over the past several years ‒ but from all the related solution, support and consulting opportunities that come with it.

After completing the Wounded Warrior Project's Transition Training Academy, Victor Johnston spent several years honing his IT skills before building his own successful consulting firm. The current vice-chair of CompTIA's Future Leaders Community now spends a substantial amount of his time helping fellow veterans and others in need.

The channel’s future won’t solely depend on IoT, cybersecurity and advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning. Core technology competencies such as remote monitoring and remediation, backup and disaster recovery, cloud management, and desktop/ mobility device support will be needed more than ever.

With technology no longer the sole domain of IT teams and the expansion of work-enhancing applications, departmental procurement, and rogue IT, provider responsibilities have shifted. That's why channel professionals must boost their business acumen. Less conversations around "speeds and feeds."