What does it take to be a successful managed service provider in 2026?
After hundreds of conversations with MSPs, vendors, enterprise IT leaders, and channel executives, one trend has become clear: customers aren’t looking for IT support alone. They’re looking for strategic business partners.
In this video, Channel Insider Managing Editor Victoria Durgin breaks down the four biggest expectations customers now have of modern MSPs—from AI strategy and cybersecurity to hybrid infrastructure and ongoing technology advisory services.
Timestamps
00:00 – Why MSP expectations are changing
00:29 – AI expertise is now a business requirement
01:18 – Proactive cybersecurity is table stakes
02:23 – Why hybrid infrastructure still matters
03:12 – Continuous guidance beyond deployment
03:59 – Why the fastest-growing MSPs are trusted advisors
04:22 – What the future holds for channel partners





