With the annual value of the managed services opportunity expected to top $60 billion (US) by 2011, and margins as high as 40 percent, according to MSP Partners’ Jim Hamilton, it’s easy to understand why the channel is jumping on the managed services provider (MSP) business model. However, only a small fraction of VARs, just over 10 percent, have made the switch, although it seems that many of the rest are looking for guidance on how to make the transition, said CompTIA’s Steven Ostrowski.
"We are driven by what our members want and clearly they want more insight into becoming a managed services provider." So CompTIA is devoting a lot of time, energy and resources to help its channel members understand best practices and how to get involved successfully.