Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights

PC spending has seen a significant rebound, with Gartner reporting a 9.3% rise in worldwide PC shipments in late 2025, primarily driven by corporate IT upgrades to meet Windows 11 requirements. This recovery, which saw 10.1% growth in Q4 2025 according to Omnia data, highlights a shift from consumer-led demand to necessity-driven upgrades. Despite supply chain challenges in memory and storage, leading to cost increases, 57% of B2B partners anticipate growth in their PC business, underscoring a sustained demand for hardware management and support among MSPs.Concurrently, worldwide spending on artificial intelligence is projected to reach approximately $2.5 trillion by 2026, a 44% increase from the previous year, according to Gartner. This surge is fueled by substantial investments in AI infrastructure, which is expected to account for $1.37 trillion of the total spending. John David Lovelock of Gartner emphasizes that AI adoption success hinges not only on financial investment but also on organizational maturity and self-awareness, suggesting that the value derived from this investment is not yet as certain as the spending itself. For MSPs, this indicates a growing need to navigate the complexities of AI infrastructure deployment and demonstrate tangible value to clients.In the realm of managed services, recent strategic moves by several companies signal an evolving MSP landscape. Corsica Technologies announced 105% year-over-year growth in managed services bookings for 2025 and expanded its portfolio through acquisition, aiming for consolidation and integrated offerings. Net at Work nearly doubled its managed services division size by acquiring a regional competitor, prioritizing scale. Rhubarb IT, spun out from Mac Center, is focusing on a niche Apple-focused IT managed services model, aiming for differentiation. These expansions highlight varying strategies—consolidation, scale, and specialization—that MSPs must consider when evaluating market opportunities and competitive positioning.The implications for MSPs are multi-faceted. The PC market's recovery emphasizes the continued importance of hardware lifecycle management and support services. The explosive growth in AI spending necessitates careful evaluation of infrastructure versus value, with potential risks for organizations rushing capacity purchases without clear demand justification. Furthermore, the diverse expansion strategies among MSPs underscore the need for clear operational, contractual, and financial planning to manage integration, delivery consistency, and customer expectations. The appointment of Rob Rae as a strategic advisor to Guards highlights the critical need for transparency in vendor relationships, particularly concerning incentives, as undisclosed financial arrangements can introduce bias and risk for MSPs who rely on objective evaluation of technologies and partners. Four things to know today 00:00 PC Spending Reflects Operational Necessity While AI Spending Bets on Unproven Demand03:57 OpenAI Promises to Offset Energy and Water Impact as AI Infrastructure Outpaces Regulation05:45 MSP Growth Paths Diverge as Corsica, Net at Work, and Rhubarb IT Make Different Strategic Bets09:09 Guardz’s Rob Rae Advisory Appointment Raises Transparency and Governance Questions for MSPs This is the Business of Tech.    Supported by:  https://cometbackup.com/?utm_source=mspradio&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=sponsorship  💼 All Our SponsorsSupport the vendors who support the show:👉 https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ 🚀 Join Business of Tech PlusGet exclusive access to investigative reports, vendor analysis, leadership briefings, and more.👉 https://businessof.tech/plus 🎧 Subscribe to the Business of TechWant the show on your favorite podcast app or prefer the written versions of each story?📲 https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe 📰 Story Links & SourcesLooking for the links from today’s stories?Every episode script — with full source links — is posted at:🌐 https://www.businessof.tech 🎙 Want to Be a Guest?Pitch your story or appear on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights:💬 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech 🔗 Follow Business of Tech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradioBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.techInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradioTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

OpenAI is introducing advertisements into ChatGPT for free and ChatGPT Go users, aiming to fund artificial general intelligence development. These ads will be clearly labeled and separate from AI responses, with OpenAI stating user conversations will remain private and data will not be sold. Ads will be excluded from sensitive topics. Users can avoid ads by upgrading to a paid subscription, such as the new $8/month ChatGPT Go tier, which offers increased limits and access to the latest model but also features advertisements. This move signifies a monetization strategy, with OpenAI reporting significant revenue growth for ChatGPT.The broader impact of AI on jobs is also discussed, with data suggesting job losses attributed to AI may be overstated. While some roles are affected, particularly entry-level positions, the overall employment impact appears limited. Reports indicate that AI is often used as a justification for layoffs driven by economic factors or overhiring, rather than being the sole cause. The analysis highlights that AI's productivity gains are currently modest, requiring substantial increases to drive large-scale job replacement. However, the International Monetary Fund estimates nearly 40% of global jobs are at risk due to AI, with a growing demand for new skills that offer a wage premium.Automation and platform integrations are accelerating, with ConnectWise acquiring ZofIQ to automate service desk operations within its PSA workflow. D&H is expanding its logistics capabilities by acquiring fulfillment.com, enhancing its supply chain services. Microsoft MVPs are collaborating to showcase free Intune management tools to help organizations manage their Intune environments more effectively. These developments indicate a trend towards deeper platform integration and automation within IT service delivery and logistics.For MSPs and IT service providers, these developments highlight several critical considerations. The introduction of ads in AI tools like ChatGPT raises questions about trust and governance, particularly when these tools are integrated into client-facing workflows. The slowdown in hiring, especially for junior roles, underscores the need for strategic talent development to avoid future capacity gaps. Furthermore, the increasing automation within platforms and services, while offering efficiency, necessitates careful management of counterparty risk, clear contractual definitions of authority, and redefined pricing models to account for shifting liability and decision-making. Vendors retreating from emerging technologies like Meta's VR business also underscore the importance of diligent vendor selection and managing the credibility cost associated with adopted technologies. Four things to know today 00:00 Jobless Claims Fall as Small Businesses Pull Back on Hiring, Especially Entry-Level Roles05:45 OpenAI Adds Ads to ChatGPT as It Scales Revenue, Expands Go Tier, and Deepens Enterprise and SMB Adoption09:17 Automation Moves From Tools to Authority as ConnectWise, D&H, and Intune Ecosystems Shift Control—and Risk13:05 Meta’s Retreat from Business VR Leaves MSPs Managing Cleanup, Data Deletion, and Client Expectations This is the Business of Tech.    Supported by:  https://scalepad.com/dave/  💼 All Our SponsorsSupport the vendors who support the show:👉 https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ 🚀 Join Business of Tech PlusGet exclusive access to investigative reports, vendor analysis, leadership briefings, and more.👉 https://businessof.tech/plus 🎧 Subscribe to the Business of TechWant the show on your favorite podcast app or prefer the written versions of each story?📲 https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe 📰 Story Links & SourcesLooking for the links from today’s stories?Every episode script — with full source links — is posted at:🌐 https://www.businessof.tech 🎙 Want to Be a Guest?Pitch your story or appear on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights:💬 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech 🔗 Follow Business of Tech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradioBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.techInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradioTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The discussion highlights the limitations of traditional cybersecurity training methods, emphasizing that a psychology-informed approach with positive reinforcement is crucial for developing genuine cyber literacy within organizations. Traditional "gotcha" tactics, such as fake phishing tests, are shown to be ineffective and can even lead to increased clicks, according to research from the University of Zurich and Black Hat. This approach risks creating a false sense of security without genuinely improving user behavior.Craig Taylor, CEO of Cyberhoot, advocates for a positive reinforcement model rooted in operant conditioning principles, where rewarded behaviors are repeated and internalized. This strategy is implemented through gamified modules, such as interactive "Hootfish" exercises that guide users in identifying threats with in-moment assistance. Progress is tracked via avatars that mature with learning, and an anonymous company leaderboard encourages engagement, particularly motivating management to complete assignments. These elements aim to foster intrinsic motivation for security best practices rather than relying on external pressure or punishment.The conversation also delves into the challenges of measuring security progress, noting that traditional phishing tests often fail to capture a complete picture of an organization's security posture, particularly with C-suite employees who may not engage with such tests. The episode touches upon the complexities of evolving cybersecurity threats, including AI-powered personalized attacks, and the inherent difficulties in relying solely on human training against sophisticated adversaries. Furthermore, the discussion addresses the lack of accountability for cybersecurity vendors with faulty software, contrasting it with product liability in other industries, and the debate around the absence of consistent federal regulations for AI and data privacy in the US compared to Europe's GDPR.For MSPs and IT service leaders, this episode underscores the need to adopt more effective, psychology-driven security awareness programs that focus on positive reinforcement and intrinsic motivation. It highlights the limitations of purely technical or punitive cybersecurity measures and emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive strategy that combines user education with robust technical defenses. The discussion also serves as a reminder for MSPs to critically evaluate vendor security practices and to advocate for stronger accountability and clearer regulatory frameworks to protect client data and services.  💼 All Our SponsorsSupport the vendors who support the show:👉 https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ 🚀 Join Business of Tech PlusGet exclusive access to investigative reports, vendor analysis, leadership briefings, and more.👉 https://businessof.tech/plus 🎧 Subscribe to the Business of TechWant the show on your favorite podcast app or prefer the written versions of each story?📲 https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe 📰 Story Links & SourcesLooking for the links from today’s stories?Every episode script — with full source links — is posted at:🌐 https://www.businessof.tech 🎙 Want to Be a Guest?Pitch your story or appear on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights:💬 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech 🔗 Follow Business of Tech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradioBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.techInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradioTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The discussion centers on the rapidly evolving landscape of AI adoption within businesses, highlighting a significant gap between individual user experimentation and formal organizational strategies. While employees across various departments are actively using AI tools for productivity gains, many executive leaders remain hesitant to formally adopt or fund these technologies due to concerns about governance and risk. This creates a "skunk works" environment where individual adoption outpaces official oversight, leading to a potential shadow IT problem for organizations. For MSPs, this presents an opportunity to offer AI governance and risk assessment services, helping clients navigate the complexities of safe and effective AI integration.The episode underscores the compressed adoption cycle of AI compared to previous technology waves like cloud and cybersecurity. While those technologies took years to move from early adopters to mainstream paid engagements, AI has accelerated this process into months. However, this rapid adoption has also exposed new pitfalls, particularly concerning the unknown risks of AI, such as intellectual property disclosure or compliance breaches. The conversation emphasizes that the focus for businesses is shifting from the capabilities of AI to the potential consequences of its misuse, making risk assessment a critical concern for IT service providers looking to guide their clients.A significant portion of the discussion addresses the growing concerns around delegated responsibility and the potential for autonomous systems to make decisions without human oversight. As AI-driven automation expands, the liability for errors or unintended consequences will increasingly fall on IT service providers who implement these systems, rather than solely on the software vendors. This is expected to lead to a "contract lag" as existing agreements fail to account for new AI-related liabilities, prompting a need for updated contractual language and risk allocation frameworks. MSPs will need to proactively address these emerging liabilities to build trust and secure new business in the AI-driven IT services market.The episode concludes by examining the dichotomy between highly technical users who approach AI with incremental caution within existing compliance frameworks, and business users who are adopting AI more rapidly, sometimes without fully considering regulatory or security implications. This necessitates tailored governance strategies for different user groups. For MSPs, the immediate opportunity lies in offering risk assessment and advisory services to help organizations understand their AI exposure. Furthermore, the industry faces a crucial challenge in evolving from rigid standardization to adaptable service models that can accommodate the unique risks and opportunities presented by AI, ultimately determining relevance and avoiding obsolescence in the rapidly changing tech landscape.  💼 All Our SponsorsSupport the vendors who support the show:👉 https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ 🚀 Join Business of Tech PlusGet exclusive access to investigative reports, vendor analysis, leadership briefings, and more.👉 https://businessof.tech/plus 🎧 Subscribe to the Business of TechWant the show on your favorite podcast app or prefer the written versions of each story?📲 https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe 📰 Story Links & SourcesLooking for the links from today’s stories?Every episode script — with full source links — is posted at:🌐 https://www.businessof.tech 🎙 Want to Be a Guest?Pitch your story or appear on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights:💬 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech 🔗 Follow Business of Tech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradioBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.techInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradioTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apple has introduced Creator Studio, a subscription-based suite that embeds AI-assisted features directly into familiar productivity and creative tools while maintaining strict control over interfaces and user experience. Alongside this launch, Apple confirmed a multiyear partnership with Google to use Gemini and Google Cloud as foundational AI infrastructure, reportedly involving annual payments of around $1 billion. The approach reinforces Apple’s strategy of treating AI models as interchangeable components while retaining authority at the application layer, shifting responsibility for governance and oversight away from the platform and toward downstream users and advisors.Google, meanwhile, expanded Gemini through a new Personal Intelligence feature that can reason across Gmail, Photos, Search, and YouTube data for consumer accounts. Available initially to paid subscribers and requiring explicit consent, the capability highlights Google’s advantage in contextual data rather than model novelty. By keeping the feature out of Workspace for now, Google appears to be setting user expectations in consumer environments before enterprise deployment, a move that may influence how business users evaluate AI-enabled decision support in the future.Pax8 disclosed a data leak affecting approximately 1,800 MSP partners after an internal spreadsheet was mistakenly shared with a limited number of recipients. While no personally identifiable information was exposed, the data included licensing and commercial details that could be used for competitive intelligence or targeted attacks. The incident coincides with Pax8’s rapid international expansion, new regional offices, and growing reliance by MSPs on its marketplace for procurement and security tooling, including the recent addition of Cork Cyber’s risk intelligence platform.Taken together with renewed attention on AI governance, the Secure by Design initiative, and guidance on when to apply GenAI versus traditional code, the episode underscores a widening gap between automation and authority. Surveys show a majority of IT leaders now prioritize AI governance, reflecting concern over accountability, data flows, and failure handling. For MSPs and IT service providers, these developments reinforce the need to clearly define who has the power to approve, pause, or override AI-driven systems and platform dependencies, as clients increasingly expect service providers to explain and manage outcomes they may not fully control. Four things to know today Apple’s Creator Studio and Google Partnership Show a Strategy Built on Control, Not AI OwnershipAs Gemini Reasons Across Gmail, Search, and YouTube, Google Redefines AI Advantage Around Context            Pax8 Data Leak, Rapid Expansion, and Marketplace Growth Expose Risk Shift to MSPsAI Governance, Secure by Design, and GenAI Adoption Reveal a Growing Authority Gap for MSPs This is the Business of Tech.    Supported by:  https://scalepad.com/dave/  💼 All Our SponsorsSupport the vendors who support the show:👉 https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ 🚀 Join Business of Tech PlusGet exclusive access to investigative reports, vendor analysis, leadership briefings, and more.👉 https://businessof.tech/plus 🎧 Subscribe to the Business of TechWant the show on your favorite podcast app or prefer the written versions of each story?📲 https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe 📰 Story Links & SourcesLooking for the links from today’s stories?Every episode script — with full source links — is posted at:🌐 https://www.businessof.tech 🎙 Want to Be a Guest?Pitch your story or appear on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights:💬 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech 🔗 Follow Business of Tech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradioBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.techInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradioTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode examines why growing concern over AI-driven skills obsolescence is less about workforce displacement and more about authority, accountability, and liability for MSPs. As AI systems increasingly triage tickets, remediate issues, and shape outcomes, MSPs are absorbing responsibility for decisions made by tools they did not design and cannot fully audit. The mismatch between AI-driven operations and pre-AI contracts, SLAs, and pricing models creates a widening risk gap that directly threatens margins and client trust. The show then turns to AI infrastructure, focusing on Microsoft’s response to rising power and water costs tied to data center expansion. While public commitments emphasize cost control and community investment, the underlying reality for IT service providers is continued volatility. AI workloads remain energy-intensive and politically sensitive, and those costs are likely to be passed downstream. MSPs that price AI-dependent services on today’s assumptions risk margin erosion when infrastructure costs shift faster than contracts can be updated.Next, the episode explores how workplace AI tools from Anthropic and Slack are moving beyond assistance into shaping finished work. By summarizing conversations, organizing files, and producing artifacts that become the default record, these tools quietly define “what happened.” For MSPs, this pulls them deeper into advisory territory, as AI-generated outputs influence decisions, accountability, and client understanding—often without clear acknowledgment of what context or nuance was lost. Finally, the episode connects a wave of AI-driven acquisitions to a single strategic thread: vendors racing to own not just insight, but action. As platforms consolidate signals across usage, identity, cost, and observability, the pause between insight and execution disappears. For MSPs, the risk is not being replaced outright, but being sidelined as platforms decide faster than humans can intervene. The path forward is not resisting consolidation, but asserting value where judgment, context, and governance still matter.Four things to know today00:00 Report Warns 40 Percent of IT Skills May Become Obsolete as AI Reshapes Work04:42 Microsoft’s AI Data Center Commitments Highlight the Growing Cost and Governance Risks of AI Infrastructure07:16 Anthropic and Slack Expand AI From Assistance to Shaping Finished Work11:00 AI-Driven Acquisitions Show Vendors Consolidating Signals to Move Faster From Insight to Action Supported by: https://cometbackup.com/  💼 All Our SponsorsSupport the vendors who support the show:👉 https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ 🚀 Join Business of Tech PlusGet exclusive access to investigative reports, vendor analysis, leadership briefings, and more.👉 https://businessof.tech/plus 🎧 Subscribe to the Business of TechWant the show on your favorite podcast app or prefer the written versions of each story?📲 https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe 📰 Story Links & SourcesLooking for the links from today’s stories?Every episode script — with full source links — is posted at:🌐 https://www.businessof.tech 🎙 Want to Be a Guest?Pitch your story or appear on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights:💬 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech 🔗 Follow Business of Tech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradioBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.techInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradioTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rising workplace use of artificial intelligence is outpacing organizational governance, according to data from Microsoft and Gallup. Microsoft reports global AI adoption reached 16.3% in 2025, while Gallup finds nearly half of U.S. workers use AI tools at work at least annually. Despite that usage, only a minority of employees report clear employer guidance on AI ownership and purpose, creating accountability gaps that frequently surface during incidents or audits.Additional data underscores uneven adoption and oversight. Microsoft’s AI Economy Institute notes adoption rates in the Global North are nearly double those in the Global South, correlating with earlier infrastructure and policy investment. Within organizations, most AI usage remains occasional rather than daily and is concentrated in knowledge roles, suggesting informal, user-driven deployment rather than standardized programs—conditions that complicate governance for MSP-supported environments.Microsoft’s product moves further elevate the governance issue. The company is testing policies allowing IT administrators to uninstall Copilot on managed devices while simultaneously enforcing Windows and Office end-of-life timelines through 2026 and embedding purchasing directly into Copilot workflows. These changes expand administrative control but also place AI more firmly inside operational and economic decision paths that MSPs help manage.Platform announcements from Acronis, Hexnode, and Google extend automation from assistance to execution, while public comments from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Linux creator Linus Torvalds highlight differing views on AI speed versus discipline. For MSPs and IT service providers, the practical takeaway centers on accountability: as AI systems take actions rather than make suggestions, governance, policy definition, and oversight become explicit services rather than implied responsibilities. Four things to know today 00:00 AI Use Expands at Work, but Employees Say Transparency and Ownership Are Missing04:37 Microsoft Lets IT Uninstall Copilot as Windows and Office End-of-Life Deadlines Near07:38 Acronis Launches Archival Storage as Hexnode and Google Advance Platform-Centric Automation11:07 Jensen Huang Warns Against AI Regulation as Linus Torvalds Limits AI’s Role in Critical Code This is the Business of Tech.     Supported by:  https://scalepad.com/dave/  💼 All Our SponsorsSupport the vendors who support the show:👉 https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ 🚀 Join Business of Tech PlusGet exclusive access to investigative reports, vendor analysis, leadership briefings, and more.👉 https://businessof.tech/plus 🎧 Subscribe to the Business of TechWant the show on your favorite podcast app or prefer the written versions of each story?📲 https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe 📰 Story Links & SourcesLooking for the links from today’s stories?Every episode script — with full source links — is posted at:🌐 https://www.businessof.tech 🎙 Want to Be a Guest?Pitch your story or appear on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights:💬 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech 🔗 Follow Business of Tech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradioBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.techInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradioTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Slowing U.S. job growth alongside rising labor productivity highlights how organizations are replacing hiring with automation and AI-driven systems. Government labor data shows job growth in 2025 fell to roughly 584,000 positions, while productivity rose nearly five percent in the third quarter, allowing output to increase without additional staff. According to CompTIA, demand for AI-related skills rose more than 100 percent year over year, even as overall tech employment declined. For MSPs, this signals a shift where customers rely less on internal teams and more on external providers to absorb operational responsibility when automated systems fail.Survey data from TechAisle indicates that small and midmarket businesses are redirecting technology spending away from basic digitization toward autonomous, outcome-driven systems. The research, based on responses from 5,500 firms, shows profitable growth and cost control as top priorities for 2026, with increased adoption of generative AI, agentic automation, and managed security services. At the same time, rising RAM and storage prices—driven by AI data center demand, according to TrendForce—are delaying PC refresh cycles and pushing workloads into cloud environments, changing where performance, security, and cost risks surface.Vendor signals remain mixed. Kaseya reported layoffs affecting five percent of its workforce, following earlier reductions, while TD Synnex and Samsung reported strong revenue growth tied to AI infrastructure, memory, and server demand. Distributors cite continued hardware refresh activity, yet repeated workforce cuts at vendors suggest internal cost corrections rather than demand collapse. For MSPs, this combination increases environmental complexity, with longer device lifecycles, higher component costs, and more heterogeneous platforms to support.Operational AI announcements further extend decision-making authority into automated systems. New healthcare, printing, and service desk tools embed AI into intake, routing, authorization, and workflow execution, often acting before human review. For MSPs and IT service providers, the central issue is not efficiency gains but accountability: when AI-driven processes misroute work, generate compliance errors, or escalate incidents incorrectly, responsibility frequently defaults to the operator. The episode underscores the need for clearer governance, pricing, and contractual boundaries as AI assumes functional authority inside managed environments. Four things to know today 00:00 Slowing Job Growth, Rising Productivity, and AI Adoption Shift Operational Responsibility to Providers05:26 TechAisle Data Shows SMB Focus Moving From Digitization to Autonomous, Outcome-Driven Systems09:19 Kaseya Cuts Staff as Distributors and Chipmakers Report Strong AI-Driven Demand14:27 Operational AI Advances as Vendors Embed Automation Into Intake, Routing, and Authorization This is the Business of Tech.    Supported by:  https://cometbackup.com/?utm_source=mspradio&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=sponsorship  💼 All Our SponsorsSupport the vendors who support the show:👉 https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ 🚀 Join Business of Tech PlusGet exclusive access to investigative reports, vendor analysis, leadership briefings, and more.👉 https://businessof.tech/plus 🎧 Subscribe to the Business of TechWant the show on your favorite podcast app or prefer the written versions of each story?📲 https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe 📰 Story Links & SourcesLooking for the links from today’s stories?Every episode script — with full source links — is posted at:🌐 https://www.businessof.tech 🎙 Want to Be a Guest?Pitch your story or appear on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights:💬 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech 🔗 Follow Business of Tech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradioBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.techInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradioTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Procurement is experiencing a significant shift as organizations increasingly adopt automation and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance sourcing, purchasing, and spend management processes. Kevin Frechette, CEO and co-founder of Fairmarkit, discusses how their platform enables enterprises to transition from manual procurement methods to AI-driven autonomous sourcing. This shift allows procurement teams to handle up to ten times more sourcing events per buyer and potentially save $40,000 weekly per full-time employee (FTE) by streamlining operations and reducing the time spent on repetitive tasks.Frechette highlights a case study involving a Boston-based customer that reduced the time required to clarify requests and set up sourcing events from 40 minutes to just 2 minutes through Fairmarkit's automation capabilities. The platform employs AI to facilitate various stages of the sourcing process, including demand capture, supplier identification, and event awarding. However, Frechette emphasizes the importance of maintaining human oversight in certain areas, particularly where nuanced decision-making is required, ensuring that AI complements rather than completely replaces human judgment.The conversation also touches on the evolving role of procurement professionals in the face of automation. While some experienced workers may resist change, Frechette notes that younger professionals are often more adaptable and eager to embrace new technologies. This generational shift could lead to a more innovative approach to procurement, as new entrants to the field leverage AI tools to enhance their decision-making capabilities and drive efficiency.For Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and IT service leaders, the implications of these developments are clear. Embracing AI and automation in procurement can lead to significant operational efficiencies and cost savings. However, it is crucial for organizations to establish a framework for human involvement in decision-making processes, ensuring that the benefits of AI are maximized while maintaining accountability and oversight. As the landscape of procurement continues to evolve, staying informed and adaptable will be essential for MSPs and IT providers looking to remain competitive.  💼 All Our SponsorsSupport the vendors who support the show:👉 https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ 🚀 Join Business of Tech PlusGet exclusive access to investigative reports, vendor analysis, leadership briefings, and more.👉 https://businessof.tech/plus 🎧 Subscribe to the Business of TechWant the show on your favorite podcast app or prefer the written versions of each story?📲 https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe 📰 Story Links & SourcesLooking for the links from today’s stories?Every episode script — with full source links — is posted at:🌐 https://www.businessof.tech 🎙 Want to Be a Guest?Pitch your story or appear on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights:💬 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech 🔗 Follow Business of Tech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradioBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.techInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradioTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The recent acquisition of Small Biz Thoughts and IT Service Provider University by MSP Radio marks a significant shift in the landscape of resources available to Managed Service Providers (MSPs). This acquisition aims to ensure the continued stewardship of valuable intellectual property, including books and community resources, while allowing founder Karl Palachuk to refocus on his original goals of writing, speaking, and traveling. The deal emphasizes the importance of maintaining community engagement and enhancing the value of existing assets for the benefit of MSPs.Karl Palachuk discussed the filters he applied when selecting a buyer, prioritizing compatibility and the potential for growth within the community. He expressed a desire for the new ownership to actively utilize the acquired assets to foster a thriving environment rather than allowing them to stagnate. The conversation highlighted the importance of community in the tech industry, where collaboration and shared knowledge have historically driven success.In addition to the acquisition, the episode touched on the evolving role of AI in the MSP sector. Palachuk noted that while AI is set to enhance productivity, it will also necessitate a shift in the skills required for technicians and service providers. The discussion underscored the need for MSPs to adapt to these changes, as the industry faces a wave of mergers and acquisitions that could reshape service delivery models.For MSPs and IT service leaders, the implications of these developments are clear. The acquisition represents an opportunity to access a wealth of resources and knowledge while navigating the challenges posed by AI and market consolidation. Engaging with the Small Biz Thoughts community can provide valuable insights and support as MSPs work to enhance their service offerings and adapt to the changing landscape of technology and client needs.  💼 All Our SponsorsSupport the vendors who support the show:👉 https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ 🚀 Join Business of Tech PlusGet exclusive access to investigative reports, vendor analysis, leadership briefings, and more.👉 https://businessof.tech/plus 🎧 Subscribe to the Business of TechWant the show on your favorite podcast app or prefer the written versions of each story?📲 https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe 📰 Story Links & SourcesLooking for the links from today’s stories?Every episode script — with full source links — is posted at:🌐 https://www.businessof.tech 🎙 Want to Be a Guest?Pitch your story or appear on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights:💬 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech 🔗 Follow Business of Tech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradioBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.techInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradioTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.