As 2025 comes to a close, we’re reflecting back on the news and analysis we worked on all year long.
Below are a few of our favorites, chosen either because they were significant to the channel landscape or simply because we enjoyed crafting them. We also share what about the work we found particularly compelling.
Market consolidation and funding trends dominate headlines
IGEL Acquires Stratodesk to Boost Endpoint Security Focus
This year, I was also introduced to CEO of IGEL Klaus Oestermann to discuss the company’s goals in enhancing their channel partnerships. It was great talking to a company that is so dedicated to being a strong channel player by providing endpoint OS software and management solutions.
Channel Insider has since covered IGEL several more times and it’s been enjoyable seeing what they continue to put out for the channel.
Read the story here.
How The 20 MSP is Scaling Without Private Equity, CI:PPOV with Katie Bavoso
The most viewed episode of Channel Insider: Partner POV in 2025 also had to make this list because it’s popular for a reason. For those unfamiliar with The 20 MSP, it’s the largest founder-owned platform MSP in the United States – meaning there’s no private equity backing, an unusual occurrence in the channel.
It’s growing so fast that The 20 MSP literally acquired another MSP company between recording the interview and the episode going live! Its husband and wife leadership team, Tim and Crystal Conkle, say what makes them different is their approach to acquisitions, which involves keeping the original owners and employees of the newly acquired MSP onboard and putting them in positions where they shine the most.
This content really resonated with our audience, and again, that’s why it’s the most popular video on our channels this year.
Watch the episode here.
Netrio CTO on Post-Acquisition Integration & Best Practices
The M&A topic is one of our most-covered areas in 2025, and for good reason: consolidation amongst partners and vendors continues to dominate conversations and headlines. What I appreciate about my interview with Mike Cromwell is that it focuses on what comes after the deal closes, something that often feels harder to get “right” than selling itself.
Read the full story here.
The channel wraps its arms around AI and the opportunities it presents
What stands out to me the most about this video is Data41’s ability to use AI for good. Full stop. Founder and President Hans Mize detailed two use cases in which Data41 uses AI offerings to speed up tissue donor matches and ultimately help save lives faster, as well as use those offerings to help at-risk youth get the counseling they need by cutting through the bureaucracy of the system.
These are the kinds of use cases I wish I could hear about more often. Additionally, Mize’s story of pivoting his business model to meet market and customer needs is very interesting – his shift from a traditional VAR to an ISV is a blueprint for any channel business struggling to define itself in the current environment.
Watch the episode here.
Thrive CTO on Building a Managed AI Services Offering, by Victoria Durgin
Katie and I both spoke with Thrive’s CTO Michael Gray about the managed AI services the provider now offers to clients. To me, our conversation is symbolic of the shift many MSPs and others are pursuing: as AI becomes a key part of many end user customers’ IT strategies, partners will need to build the services they need to adopt and implement AI efficiently and securely.
Read the story here.
Ingram Micro’s Sanjib Sahoo on AI, Data & the Future of the Channel, CI:PPOV bonus with Victoria Durgin
I don’t get in front of the camera very often, but Ingram Micro ONE offered me an opportunity to talk with Sahoo about how partners can harness AI to unlock new opportunities.
To me, this conversation is a summary of Ingram’s entire approach to its channel partners, and it gave me a chance to work a bit outside of my comfort zone.
Watch the episode here.
The technology, people, and focus areas driving outcomes through the IT channel
LevelBlue CIO on Importance of the Human Element in Security, by Jordan Smith
Speaking with CIOs and other IT professionals is always an engaging experience, but when that conversation extends beyond the software is when you start to understand the importance of relationship-building in the channel.
That’s why one of my favorite interviews this year was with LevelBlue CIO Maria Cardow. We talked about technology in cybersecurity, of course, but also about the human element, insider risk, and shadow AI. It was a great reminder that people-centered security is significant in the channel.
Read the full story here.
Gridiron Meets the Channel:How Providers Keep the NFL in Play, by Jordan Smith
This article was a fun project this year and written as a reminder of how much the channel touches. Writing about how providers have a role to play in the economy of the NFL operate efficiently and securely showed just how many types of businesses can benefit from strong partnerships.
Read the story here.
The IT Channel’s Lawyer: Brad Gross on AI Risks, MSP Contracts & Avoiding Costly Legal Mistakes, CI:PPOV with Katie Bavoso
One of the privileges of having a platform like the Channel Insider: Partner POV video podcast is the opportunity to feature experts that are not necessarily technologists themselves, but who can offer adjacent services and expertise for channel provider business owners.
In this case, I interviewed Brad Gross, an attorney with deep knowledge of the channel and years of experience serving and advising providers.
In an age when so many people are consulting various chatbots and LLMs for legal advice, Gross reminds us why having a dedicated legal consultant is so important and could be the difference between winning new business or paying thousands of dollars to fix a costly mistake.
Watch the episode here.
The channel is filled with incredibly brilliant individuals and speaking with QuSecure CEO Rebecca Krauthamer was a strong reminder of that. Post-quantum cryptography is already a complex subject, but Krauthamer made it seem simple. Quantum is an evolving new frontier for the channel and any time I get to discuss it, I gain a new appreciation for writing about IT.
Read the story here.
The partnerships and leaders that deliver outcomes and build a better future
SAS Aims to Drive Partner Success in AI, Data & More, by Jordan Smith
The year was filled with a number of great events held by organizations with channel programs and being on-site for a couple of these events helped frame how expansive the IT ecosystem is.
At SAS Innovate 2025, I was able to meet with a number of SAS leaders to discuss data and AI, two major topics in IT this year.
The event displayed the community aspect of the channel and the importance of gathering thought leaders to share ideas and expertise.
Read the full story here.
ACW & Cloud Girls Leadership on Supporting Women in Tech, by Victoria Durgin
The Alliance of Channel Women (ACW) and Cloud Girls are nonprofit organizations dedicated to building a future for the IT channel better than the present, specifically for female and underrepresented talent.
Interviewing the founders and current leadership of both organizations was a true privilege, and this story remains one of my favorites not just of the year, but of my career to date.
Read the full story here.
How LSU and TekStream are Solving the Cybersecurity Talent Gap with Student-Run SOCs, CI:PPOV with Katie Bavoso
When it comes to showcasing the power of partnership, this episode featuring Louisiana State University and TekStream Solutions gets a gold start from me.
This partnership is not only investing in training the next generation of desperately needed cybersecurity talent with a student-run SOC on the LSU campus, but it also extends TekStream’s internal services. Tight budgets are accommodated, needs are met, ROI is made, everybody wins.
Watch the episode here.
