CompTIA's Top 10 Channel Resources of 2016

The end of the year is a great point to take a step back and reflect. What were some of the resources CompTIA members valued the most in 2016? With hundreds of research reports, education guides and IT business tools to choose from, it wasn’t easy narrowing it down to a top 10 list, but we did:

1. After years of research and collaboration with industry experts, the association literally set the bar in 2016 with the introduction of CompTIA Channel Standards. These are benchmarks and best practices that solution providers can implement in their own organizations to enjoy even greater success. Looking to improve your efficiencies and effectiveness, not to mention your business’ profitability? Be sure to download these documents AND workbooks:

    

   • Channel Standard: IT Solution Provider
   • Channel Standard: Managed IT Solution Provider
   • Channel Standard: Managed Print Provider
   • Channel Standard: Cybersecurity

      

2. Looking for a great guide to digital transformation? The IT Industry Outlook 2016 identifies the biggest trends (and major opportunities) solution providers should be investigating and potentially investing in. Just as critical are the issues and potential roadblocks outlined in the report; the things every channel firm must pay attention to or avoid to ensure continued prosperity.    

    

3. MSPs have some serious concerns over the future prospects, including margin erosion. That’s just one of the findings from the Fifth Annual Trends in Managed Services study, which included a closer look at the things keeping providers awake at night. Cloud computing topped that list, with 62 percent of MSPs indicating the industry transformation was among their greatest concerns (along with employee churn). Of course, where some experience anxiety, others will prosper, and this study outlined a number of areas where providers could thrive and differentiate themselves.

    

4. People are the biggest cause of data breaches. What’s the best way to address this? End user assessments and training programs, including CompTIA CyberSecure, a self-paced, 60-minute online course that focuses on implications of security behaviors of everyone in the workplace. That’s great news for CompTIA premier members, who receive 50 free seats to extend to their clients or use to test their own team’s security acumen. 

    

5. CompTIA’s research team took a deep look at channel viability of third-platform technologies in the 2016 Internet of Things Trends and Opportunities report. With the market expected to reach $50.1 billion by 2020 and the complexity involved in these intelligent systems, solution providers are perfectly positioned to capitalize in this space. Demand should be strong for those skilled in network design and support, integration and procurement and supplier management.

    

6. The CompTIA Security in the IT Channel report highlights one of the biggest differentiators and largest revenue opportunities for solution providers and growth. IT firms can leverage this research to help drive customer discussions and uncover potential and real weaknesses in their data and network protection. That opens the door for offering additional security-related services and support options.

    

7. The CompTIA report Big Data Insights and Opportunities identifies several areas where solution providers can leverage their skills and expand their businesses. With 75 percent of respondents in agreement that their organizations would be stronger if they were able to harness all their data, the prospects for channel firms with robust analytical and data management skills are virtually unlimited.

    

8. Proactive network protection is a crucial element of channel success, which means the IT Security Assessment Wizard is an invaluable tool for solution providers. This easy-to-use and peer-developed program gives MSPs the insight needed to have more fruitful security conversations with their business clients and build targeted solutions to better address their vulnerabilities. The free, Web-based, vendor-neutral tool is available here.

    

9. Another channel segment that is rapidly maturing was covered extensively in the 2016 CompTIA Trends in Cloud Computing report. With year-over-year revenue growing by 17.3 percent, cloud is an opportunity that cannot be ignored by providers, though many continue to struggle finding their role and the right vendor and distribution partners to make it work. This report outlines a number of the solution- and market-specific opportunities that VARs and MSPs should be offering or at least evaluating. 

    

10. Owning your own business can be complicated, and running a professional services organization just adds more headaches and complexity to the equation. The CompTIA InfoTech Law Advocates (ITLA) Legal Help Desk can alleviate some of the biggest pain points for IT services firms. Staffed by licensed attorneys with broad experience in business and regulatory issues impacting U.S. technology companies, this program offers channel partners immediate access to high-quality legal services for a low monthly subscription fee. Click here for more details.

Many of the peer-developed resources listed above can be accessed simply by clicking the link and registering on the CompTIA site. Interested in more? Check out all the great benefits your team will receive by signing up for a Premier Membership! With 2017 planning already underway, there’s simply no better time to tap into the largest portfolio of channel educational materials and IT business training programs in the industry.