The killer question: What will a typical MSP look like five years from now?

Bosses from MSPs including Ultima, CSI, Air IT, Trilogy, OryxAlign and Advancery weigh in on the forces of change at play in managed services

The 2019 European MSP Innovation Awards (held by CRN's pan-global sister publication Channel Partner Insight) showcased innovation and best practice in the managed services sector.

We grabbed a few of the MSP bosses present at the event - held last Wednesday in London's Oxo Tower - to ask them what they think a typical MSP will need to look like in five years' time.

Greater use of AI, machine learning and automation was a recurring theme, alongside investment in staff, focusing more on outcomes rather than price, and cyber-security.

"I think a lot of people will comment on how automation will replace roles, but we very much see it as an augmentation," said Simon Walters, director of managed services at Ultima Business Solutions.

"It will be people, augmented by intelligent automation."

Edel Creely, CEO of Trilogy, added: "Five years from now, the typical MSP will probably be what we call today an MSSP. Security is going to have to be deeply embedded within the organisation."

Photos and the list of winners from the awards can be found here and here.