7 strategies MSPs need to succeed in the AI revolution

In today’s technological landscape, the unstoppable rise of AI across industries and sectors signifies a profound transformative shift in the ways we interact with technology. The AI revolution is having a transformative impact on society, the economy, and everyday life as we know it. Naturally, it’s also reshaping how businesses operate and managed service providers (MSPs) are certainly no exception.

For MSPs in this ever-evolving digital world, learning to embrace the transformation—and understanding its implications—is quickly becoming critical to success. MSPs who wish to stay ahead of the curve (and the competition) need to invest in AI expertise, ensure ethical use of AI tech and adapt their business models accordingly. Not to mention, you’ll also need to upskill your workforce, so they know how to work in harmony with AI systems.

If this sounds like a lot, it is. But as your clients’ trusted technology advisor, you’re perfectly positioned to take advantage of the many gifts AI has to offer. The good news is that with an open mind and a little patience, invaluable insights await you.

Read on to learn strategies and best practices on how to harness the power and momentum of the AI revolution to drive efficiency, innovation and growth within your organization.

Level up your MSP’s AI readiness: Download your free guide to get started today!

The rise of AI in MSP services

As AI technologies continually advance, more clients are seeking AI capabilities in the services they purchase from MSPs. And, as always, clients’ desires are what shape (and reshape) industries.

Client motivations for seeking MSPs that offer AI capabilities include the following:

• Competitive advantage: AI can optimize operations and outmaneuver competitors.
• Improved efficiency: Automation of mundane tasks and optimized resource allocation.
• Robust security: AI-driven threat detection, incident response and vulnerability management.
• Data-driven insights: Uncovering patterns and actionable intelligence for growth.
• Personalized experiences: Tailored services through natural language processing and machine learning.
• Future-proofing: Partners who understand AI trends and can guide their integration.

AI offerings from tech giants

The interesting thing about artificial intelligence is that a lot of this technology has been around for a while. The suggested responses in Gmail and Outlook are technically artificial intelligence. Of course, as the technology continues to advance so do these tech giants’ offerings of AI capabilities. All of which, can help MSPs enhance their service offering tenfold.

Tech giants like Google and Microsoft are at the forefront of AI innovation. Their solutions can significantly enhance MSP services. Here’s a quick look at the AI solutions currently available from larger organizations.

Google Gemini: A game-changer for business

Google Gemini, with its advanced language and coding capabilities, presents significant opportunities for MSPs.

• Enhanced customer support: Gemini can power intelligent chatbots and virtual assistants, providing 24/7 support, answering FAQs and resolving common issues. MSPs can offer advanced customer support packages built around Gemini.
• IT automation: Gemini can automate routine IT tasks such as helpdesk ticket routing, software installations, and network troubleshooting, freeing up MSP technicians for higher-value work.
• Data analysis and insights: By processing vast amounts of IT data, Gemini can identify trends, anomalies, and potential issues, enabling MSPs to offer proactive maintenance and optimization services.
• Reselling Gemini-powered solutions: MSPs can develop and resell custom AI solutions built on the Gemini platform, targeting specific industry verticals or customer needs.

Copilot for Microsoft 365: Empowering MSPs

Microsoft Copilot, integrated into the Microsoft 365 suite, offers a range of benefits for MSPs.

• Productivity boost: Copilot can help MSP employees write emails, create documents, and generate code more efficiently, leading to increased productivity and cost savings.   
• Improved customer experience: Copilot can assist in drafting customer communications, generating reports and providing insights into customer behavior.
• Security enhancement: Copilot can be used to analyze security threats, identify vulnerabilities, and recommend remediation steps, strengthening an MSP’s security offerings.
• Reselling Copilot for Microsoft 365: MSPs can bundle Copilot with other Microsoft 365 services or create custom solutions tailored to specific client needs.

Harnessing AI for MSP efficiency and growth

As AI is integrated into tools the need to adopt and adapt to the AI revolution is more essential than ever for MSPs to better provide for their clients. Even if you don’t resell AI solutions directly, a well-honed understanding of the latest technology will ultimately allow you to deliver more value than ever to loyal clients.

Tasks like generating long-form content for SEO, writing cold outreach emails, overseeing mindless onboarding tasks, or integrating hyper-intelligent chatbots into your helpdesk represent the very tip of the iceberg. MSPs will want to leverage the power of AI to drive efficiency, innovation and growth within their organizations.

To stay ahead, MSPs must leverage AI to drive efficiency, innovation and growth. Consider these strategies:

By incorporating these strategies, managed service providers can maximize the benefits of AI, leading to improved operational efficiency, increased innovation and can add value to their service portfolio and attract new customers. This can help incearse their competitive advantage and lead to overall business growth.

Where AI can be used within business

If you’re looking for some examples of how different departments within various industries can benefit from AI adoption? Check out a view of the examples below:

AI-driven service tiering

• Personalized service packages: Leverage AI to analyze client data and create tailored service packages based on specific needs, usage patterns, and risk profiles.
• Predictive service bundling: Anticipate client requirements and bundle services proactively, increasing customer satisfaction and revenue.

AI for sales and marketing

• Lead generation and qualification: Use AI to identify potential customers, analyze their behavior, and prioritize leads for sales teams.
• Sales forecasting: Employ AI to predict sales trends, optimize pricing, and allocate resources effectively.
• Marketing automation: Automate marketing campaigns, personalize content, and measure ROI using AI-driven analytics.

AI in IT Operations

• Anomaly detection: Utilize AI to identify unusual patterns in IT systems, predicting potential issues before they occur.
• Root cause analysis: Employ AI to accelerate troubleshooting by automatically identifying the root cause of IT problems.
• Capacity planning: Optimize resource allocation by using AI to forecast IT infrastructure needs.

AI for cybersecurity

• Threat hunting: Leverage AI to proactively search for hidden threats and vulnerabilities within networks.
• Incident response automation: Automate routine incident response tasks, allowing security teams to focus on critical issues.
• Security posture management: Continuously assess and improve security posture using AI-driven analytics.

AI for human resources

• Employee experience: Enhance employee satisfaction and retention by using AI for talent management, performance evaluation, and employee engagement.
• Recruitment: Employ AI-powered tools for candidate sourcing, screening, and onboarding.

AI for financial management

• Financial forecasting: Use AI to predict revenue, expenses, and cash flow, enabling better financial planning.
• Fraud detection: Implement AI-based systems to identify and prevent fraudulent activities.

Best practices for MSPs in the AI revolution

Every MSP must determine how to best use the power of AI for their purposes, while also establishing clear communication with clients about their ever-evolving AI services.

There are nonetheless a few basic best practices that can go a long way toward steering your organization in the right direction:

• Stay informed: Keep abreast of AI trends and their potential impact on your services.
• Identify use cases: Determine where AI can add the most value to your offerings.
• Forge partnerships: Collaborate with AI technology providers to leverage their expertise.
• Invest in talent: Train your team to effectively work with AI technologies.
• Prioritize data privacy and security: Safeguard sensitive information.
• Build trust: Communicate openly with clients about AI benefits and limitations.

Staying on top of developments and exploring opportunities for leveraging the AI revolution to better position your business for success is crucial!

Packaging and reselling AI-powered services: An overview

Here are some specific examples of how MSPs can package and sell AI-powered services to their clients:

Here are some additional tips for MSPs to consider when packaging and selling AI-powered services:

• Focus on the business value proposition. Explain how AI can help clients achieve their specific business goals.
• Start with small, proof-of-concept projects. This will help clients see the value of AI before they commit to a larger investment.
• Offer flexible pricing models. Consider offering subscription-based pricing or pay-as-you-go models to make AI services more affordable for clients.
• Provide ongoing support and training. Help clients get the most out of their AI investment by providing ongoing support and training.

By following these tips, MSPs can successfully package and sell AI-powered services to their clients and help them take advantage of the many benefits that AI has to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can MSPs start implementing AI into their business?

A: Begin by identifying areas where AI can provide the greatest impact, such as automating repetitive tasks or enhancing security. Start with small, manageable projects to gain experience and build momentum.

Q: What are the potential challenges of adopting AI for MSPs?

A: Challenges include the need for skilled personnel, data privacy concerns, and the potential for job displacement. However, with careful planning and a focus on upskilling, these challenges can be overcome.

Q: How can MSPs measure the ROI of AI investments?

A: Key performance indicators (KPIs) such as increased efficiency, reduced costs, improved customer satisfaction, and revenue growth can help measure ROI. Track these metrics before and after AI implementation to assess its impact.

By following these strategies and best practices, MSPs can position themselves as leaders in the AI revolution, delivering exceptional value to their clients and driving sustainable growth. For a smoother transition, consider seeking the guidance of an expert partner like Sherweb.

If you’re looking an experienced partner you’ve come to the right place!

Want to stay on top of Microsoft Copilot developments? Ready to experience the future of work? Copilot is now available for MSPs to offer to their clients via Sherweb’s portal. Not yet a Sherweb partner? Getting started is easy, learn more about the Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider Program at Sherweb.

Sherweb is committed to helping MSPs not only make the most of their Microsoft relationship, but capitalize on opportunities that will drive growth for their business as well. As Microsoft 365 Copilot rolls out and evolves, we’ll continue to provide updates and assist partners and their clients in leveraging this AI technology for their benefit. Our expert team will guide you through the implementation process and help you unlock the full potential of this revolutionary tool.

Don’t wait to unleash the power of AI in your organization. Discover how Microsoft Copilot can transform your business.

Download your guide to Copilot today!