Managed Intelligence Provider (MIP): Get Ready for the Future
There’s been plenty of change in the managed service provider (MSP) space over the years. From the old break-fix model to the newer model with proactive monitoring, remote management, and predictable support, we’ve come a long way.
But we’re not done, and the newest development is already be taking shape: the managed intelligence provider.
It’s a term first popularized by the folks at Pax8, and while it’s still early days, there’s no ignoring the shift it represents in how we think about IT and business strategy. In this blog, we’re digging into what this emerging idea could mean, and why it might be the next big step for MSPs and their clients alike.
The Big Shift
There’s been a fundamental shift in what companies want out of their tech. Businesses today no longer want their technology to “just work.” They want it to automate, streamline, and scale.
And this demand has only doubled, no, tripled, no, quadrupled with the rise of AI. Two-thirds of small businesses are now using AI, but there’s a difference between simply using it and fully utilizing it. Learning how to apply AI to discover better opportunities and improve productivity is quickly becoming the dividing line between businesses that succeed and those that fall behind.
And that’s exactly where a managed intelligence provider fits in.
What Is a Managed Intelligence Provider?
A managed intelligence provider, or MIP, can be seen as the latest stage in the ongoing evolution of the managed service provider. An MIP is an IT services provider that uses AI and data-driven insights to improve how a business operates. More than a source of technical support, it’s a partner that helps you prioritize where your business should go next.
As Pax8 puts it in their write-up on agentic AI:
“This isn’t just a rebranding of the traditional MSP. It’s a reinvention.”
If an MSP can be seen as your support service – responding to issues and fixing them – an MIP is your strategic business consultant – identifying opportunities and expanding your business.
And here’s our take: a partner can (and should) be both.
That means you get the tried-and-true support MSPs have mastered over the past two decades, plus the forward-thinking, opportunity-driven intelligence that defines the MIP model.
What Managed Intelligence Providers Could Do
While MIPs aren’t quite there yet, here’s what they could soon offer (on top of everything MSPs already do well).
AI tool integration
From patch management to software updates, automation has been central to IT for years. But with AI, the need for automation is growing exponentially. In a world of MIPs, it’s easy to imagine AI taking center stage. Providers could soon become the go-to resources for everything AI: helping businesses understand how to use it, integrate it, and even tailor tools for their specific needs.
And we’re not just talking about simple generative AI tools like chatbots, but full agentic AI systems. Future MIPs might not just implement AI but actively help companies innovate with it.
Longterm data planning
While MSPs typically manage the lifecycle of hardware, software, and data, an MIP could focus specifically on data itself – how it’s stored, handled, and analyzed over time. Where an MSP might focus on where your data is stored, an MIP could focus on what that data says about your company’s growth potential.
Growth guidance
In a world of MIPs, your company could finally stop worrying about “what it could be doing better.” That becomes your MIP’s job. By taking the data we mentioned above, they can help you see your business from a “big picture” perspective, pointing out trends, gaps, and opportunities you might have missed.
That’s not to say you’ll lose control over your business’s direction. With a well-informed MIP at your side, you’ll be able to make sharper, more informed decisions about where to take your company next.
What This Means for Small Businesses
First, let’s get something out of the way: SMBs aren’t small anymore. As the Pax8 CEO, Scott Chasin puts it:
“They’re the new giants in disguise, leaner, smarter, and powered by intelligence.”
And small businesses are thriving. Already, they’re responsible for 43.5% of the country’s GDP, underscoring their impact on the economy.
>Yup, that’s you. You’re a big company in a small jacket, and if you’re reading this, you’re already one step ahead of the competition. The most successful businesses will be those that sense the change in the wind.
And if MIPs become as big as we expect, small businesses could find themselves in an incredibly powerful position. The main thing traditionally small business from large enterprises isn’t the work ethic or intelligence – it’s the manpower and resources.
With an MIP, that gap starts to shrink. You won’t need to devote resources to departments you can’t afford. Instead, you can partner with your MIP (hopefully already your MSP) and scale from there. All without renting a bigger office or hiring a dozen extra employees.
We’re calling it now: it’ll be the small (or not-so-small) companies that make the waves.
Get Ready for MIPs
The idea of MIP’s is still very new – Pax8 only started pushing the concept within the past year. That said, 90% of surveyed MSPs recognize AI’s importance and have already begun experimenting.
As we mentioned, MIPs are likely to emerge from forward-thinking, innovative MSPs ready to tackle the next challenge.
MSPs like us.
We agree with Pax8’s agentic AI forecast and what it could mean for MSPs and MIPs, and we want to make sure our clients are ready for it. When that day comes, those already partnered with The 20 MSP won’t have to change a thing. We’ll already be there, ready to help, just as we have for the past two decades.
But there’s a lot to talk about, so let’s chat. It’s time to get ready for what’s coming next.
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About The 20 MSP
As a leading provider of managed IT services, The 20 MSP serves thousands of businesses nationwide, including single and multi-location organizations, delivering white-glove service, secure and streamlined IT infrastructure, and 24/7/365 support. We believe in building lasting relationships with clients founded on trust, communication, and the delivery of high-value services for a fair and predictable price. Our client’s success is our success, and we are committed to helping each and every organization we serve leverage technology to secure a competitive advantage and achieve new growth.
