The ASCII Group is a community of Managed Service Providers (MSPs) that offers IT and telecommunications services to small and medium-sized businesses. The group was founded in 1984 and has been providing MSPs with networking opportunities, training, and support for over three decades. They organize various events and conferences, including the ASCII Edge MSP industry conference, which we recently attended in Newport Beach, California.
The MSP industry plays a crucial role in the technology sector. They provide businesses with managed services such as IT support, cybersecurity, cloud services, and more. As more and more businesses rely on technology to operate and grow, the demand for MSP services has increased. The industry has grown exponentially, with new MSPs entering the market every day.
This was our first time participating in the ASCII Edge event, and we were excited to learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing the MSP industry. Although we are not directly in the MSP space, we have many MSP platform companies and MSPs themselves that are customers, or help manage customer equipment deployed in our data centers.
The conference, held over two days, presented opportunities for formal and informal networking, as well as speakers on various topics. There were many opportunities to learn, and we were delighted to be a part of it. Some key focus areas included:
- the numerous security issues facing MSPs
- the challenges of hiring IT and other staff
- supporting the transition to remote and hybrid work during the pandemic
- the growing impact of AI on the MSP sector
One of the highlights of the conference was the keynote address given by ex-Google engineer Blake Lemoine. Lemoine spoke about the potential dangers of unchecked AI development and the need for responsible AI development. He also discussed the power of AI to improve customer services and the customer experience. We are currently in the gold rush and wild west phase of where this technology will ultimately take us, and those that learn how to take advantage of it will benefit the most.
AI is a game-changer in the MSP industry. It has the power to automate processes, improve efficiencies, and enhance customer experiences. However, it’s essential to understand the potential risks associated with AI and how it can impact the industry. AI can help MSPs provide better services to their customers by automating tasks such as cybersecurity threat detection, system monitoring, and maintenance. It also has the potential to replace jobs, which could negatively impact the industry as a whole.
The ASCII Edge MSP Industry conference was a great opportunity for us to learn more about the MSP industry and to connect with our partners. The event highlighted the challenges and opportunities facing the industry, and the potential impact of AI on MSP services. As the industry continues to grow, we strive to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies to provide the best possible services to our customers.
Note: This article was written with the assistance of AI technology.