Here Are The Emerging Technologies That MSP 500 Execs See Offering The Biggest Opportunities In 2025

We asked top managed service provider executives to tell us which emerging technology areas they see as providing the biggest opportunity this year. Here’s what 20 had to say.

Emerging Opportunities

A significant reason why small and mid-size businesses and organizations turn to managed service providers is that MSPs can provide leading-edge technologies that SMBs would otherwise not have the expertise or scale to implement on their own and utilize it to full benefit.

That means MSPs must stay on top of the latest IT so they can quickly build competitive solutions and services to meet customers’ demands. Savvy MSPs always have their ear to the ground as they try to stay ahead of the technology demand curve.

As part of the CRN 2024 MSP 500 project, we asked MSP executives what emerging technology areas they see as providing the biggest opportunities this year.

If you guessed that artificial intelligence topped the list, you’d be right. Nearly all cited AI and generative AI as one of the biggest – if not the biggest – emerging technology opportunity going into 2025.

“Without a doubt, the biggest opportunity going into 2025 is AI,” said Dave Siegal, CTO at Warrendale, Pa.-based MSP All Lines Technology in the company’s MSP 500 application. “We're not only looking at AI solutions to streamline and improve our own customer service, but we're also working with our customers across various industries to show how AI can bring value.”

Many MSPs pointed to AI and generative AI for a broad range of applications for their clients with cybersecurity, business process automation and data analytics being examples. Others said they expected to use AI and GenAI themselves to boost automation and improve service delivery in such areas as help desk and tech support.

Beyond AI, MSP executives pointed to a long list of new technologies they see generating opportunities this year including cybersecurity and managed security of all types – zero trust network security is a biggie – along with process automation, data analytics, 5G wireless, edge computing and IoT, cloud and digital transformation, and more.

All responses to the emerging technology opportunity question can be found as part of the MSP 500 profiles. The following is a sampling of responses from 20 MSP executives.

Access Systems

Shane Sloan, CEO

Waukee, Iowa

Artificial intelligence via Microsoft Copilot and AI-powered PCs.

ACP CreativIT

Matt Zafirovski, CEO

Buffalo Grove, Ill.

AI continues to be the leading emerging space for us and our clients. From generative AI software to enterprise-grade network and infrastructure solutions and the servers and PCs to power it all, we see enormous opportunity to build and implement game-changing AI solutions for our clients of all sizes.

All Lines Technology

Dave Siegal, CTO

Warrendale, Pa.

Without a doubt, the biggest opportunity going into 2025 is AI. We're not only looking at AI solutions to streamline and improve our own customer service, but we're also working with our customers across various industries to show how AI can bring value. For instance, AI can enhance surveillance with real-time threat detection and predictive analytics. Beyond that, AI is revolutionizing many areas by optimizing processes, improving decision-making, and providing personalized experiences. AI is making a significant impact by increasing efficiency and driving innovation. These advancements highlight the transformative potential of AI, making it the most significant emerging technology in 2025.

Anchor Managed Solutions

Andrew Ouellette, CEO

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

The biggest emerging technology opportunities for 2025 include generative AI, such as Microsoft Copilot, to streamline workflows and enhance customer engagement; Zero trust security for advanced endpoint and application protection; and cloud automation tools like Azure for scalability and efficiency. Additionally, services like vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, and remediation are critical as companies focus on proactive risk management. AI-driven IT service management, including automated ticketing and event monitoring, presents further opportunities to improve operational efficiency and incident resolution.

Blue Mantis

Joshua Dinneen

Portsmouth, N.H.

We recognize significant opportunities in five key focus areas: Zero trust cybersecurity, business resilience, AI enablement, hybrid cloud optimization, and reimagined workforce. These areas directly address the evolving needs of our clients, who seek to enhance security, adapt to change, leverage AI, optimize cloud infrastructure, and transform their workforce for a digital-first world. By continuously investing in these domains, we drive innovation and provide tailored, cutting-edge solutions that help our clients stay agile and competitive in an increasingly complex business landscape.

Calian IT & Cyber Solutions

Mike Tremblay, President

Houston

Microsoft Fabric is leading the charge in emerging technologies with no end in sight. Its ability to follow the data from start to finish, creating a unified solution for analytics within its comprehensive suite, is a game changer for enterprise companies.

Compucom

Kevin Shank, CEO

Fort Mill, S.C.

To name three: AI augmentation and generative AI, edge computing and IoT, and 5G and beyond.

Dymin Systems

Scott Breitman, CEO

Urbandale, Iowa

Compliance as a service and vCIO/vCISO services seem to have the largest opportunity as technology continues to evolve and our clients’ needs are outgrowing their ability to internally manage them. I see that we need to be there to assist them with their growing business needs and how they need technology to work for them.

Effectual

Robb Allen, CEO

Jersey City, N.J.

Agentic AI.

Integrated Computer Services

Mike Cardella, CEO

Glen Rock, N.J.

As we move into 2025, AI-driven cybersecurity, cloud-native solutions, and AIOps present significant opportunities. By leveraging GenAI for advanced threat detection and response, cloud-native platforms for enhanced scalability and resilience, and AIOps for automated IT management, Integrated Computer Services can expand its service offerings to deliver more secure, efficient, and intelligent solutions.

Intras Cloud Services

Kareem Merritt, CEO

Dallas

Leveraging generative AI continues to be the single biggest driver of modernization for our customers. Although many companies we've engaged with haven't fully developed their strategy to integrate it into their product, they realize that they cannot leverage GenAI without fixing the data management and governance issues in their environments. Data-driven decision making enabled by generative AI is the business priority driving our growth.

ITMCX

Arman Eghbali, CEO

Santa Clara, Calif.

The most promising technology opportunity lies in the convergence of AI-based physical security with network security. As cloud-based security firms like Verkada enhance systems with AI, they offer innovations such as door access control via cameras and live alarm monitoring to protect assets. Concurrently, networking security companies utilize AI to analyze extensive datasets, distinguishing normal from suspicious activities. The future potential lies in merging these realms to create comprehensive security solutions that integrate physical and network protection, providing an all-encompassing defense strategy that addresses both tangible assets and digital environments for holistic safety.

Managed Solution

Sean Ferrel, Founder and CEO

San Diego

AI-driven helpdesk: Implementing AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can handle a large volume of routine inquiries, providing instant support to end users. This allows human agents to focus on more complex problems, enhancing the overall efficiency of the helpdesk.

Netcomm

Don Rehmel, President

Nicholasville, Ky.

AI is on everyone's mind, but our market is typically a cautious adopter of new technology. So even though we are promoting AI now, any revenue generation will most like present in Q3 and Q4 of 2025. More immediate opportunities exist in providing new antivirus and other cybersecurity tools. Netcomm focuses on cybersecurity training as a means of educating our community, networking and generating revenue.

Netgain Technology

Sumeet Sabharwal, CEO

Minneapolis, Minn.

AI-driven cybersecurity, robotic process automation to combat talent shortages, and analytics solutions that deliver actionable insights and enhanced client value.

NetWorks Group

David Howard, President

Ann Arbor, Mich.

Predictive threat intelligence and autonomous defense systems. AI-powered threat detection and response capabilities that can predict and neutralize cyber threats in real-time before they fully materialize. Advanced machine learning algorithms that continuously learn from global threat landscapes, enabling proactive security measures. AI-driven security orchestration that can automatically adapt and respond to evolving cyberattack methodologies. Enhanced anomaly detection using deep learning models that can identify subtle, complex patterns indicative of potential breaches.

Nor-Tech

Burnsville, Minn.

Jeff Olsen, Executive Vice President

We are seeing more demand for traditional HPC server technology that is not specifically built for AI applications.

ProBleu

Nichole Hickman, President and CEO

Bloomington, Ind.

One of the most significant emerging technology areas we see as a major opportunity for 2025 is Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, traditional perimeter-based security models are no longer sufficient to protect businesses in a world where remote work, hybrid environments, and cloud adoption are the norm. ZTNA offers a more robust and scalable approach to securing access, making it a critical focus for organizations prioritizing security and operational resilience.

Stratix

Louis Alterman, CEO

Norcross, Ga.

AI-Powered: AI adoption on mobile devices will grow, enabling personalized experiences and predictive support to enhance engagement and efficiency for their front-line workers.

5G and edge computing: Faster processing and low latency will drive tech upgrades in healthcare and field services where front-line workers are dependent on their device.

Data security: Shared devices, BYOD, and AI are pushing organizations to prioritize advanced security measures and containerization.

Internet of Things (IoT) integration: Increased IoT adoption presents opportunities for managing costs through our Connectivity & Telecom Expense Management portfolio for our customers.

Technology Recovery Group

Sean Kennedy, President

Westlake, Ohio

Managed mobile Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) is set to be a game-changer in 2025. With the surge in mobile device usage, businesses face increasing threats targeting mobile endpoints. This technology offers proactive monitoring, real-time threat detection and rapid response, ensuring that mobile devices are secured against sophisticated cyberattacks. As organizations continue to embrace hybrid work, managed mobile EDR fills a crucial gap, delivering comprehensive protection, scalability, and adaptability – empowering businesses to stay secure in a mobile-first world.