Channel's Future Outlook: Optimism & Growth, Shadow IT and Shrinkflation, AI PCs and Cybersecurity

According to the Q1 2024 Channel Futures Market Outlook Survey, 90% of partners are optimistic about growth in 2024, indicating a positive outlook for the channel economy. Managed service providers (MSPs) are particularly optimistic, with 79% of respondents believing that the channel economy is good or excellent, contrasting with the overall US economy where only 44% share a positive view.The survey also shows that most MSPs reported slight increases in total revenue, recurring revenue, and profit in the first quarter of 2024. AI services like chatbots and AI-powered cybersecurity were identified as the top sector for adding vendors, signaling a growing interest and investment in AI technologies within the channel.AI PCs are emerging as a significant trend in the tech industry, with promising growth opportunities. A TechIsle study highlighted in a podcast episode revealed that AI PCs have a promising market potential among SMBs and mid-market firms. The study showed that a considerable percentage of these businesses are familiar with AI PCs and plan to purchase them soon, with the technology expected to impact the PC market significantly within three to five years.The study also identified specific departments and professionals within organizations expected to benefit the most from AI PCs. Content creators, tech-savvy departments, and executives were recognized as potential early adopters, with creative and design professionals, IT development teams, and sales and marketing departments expected to benefit from the enhanced processing power and AI-powered features of AI PCs.Three things to know today 00:00 Channel Futures Market Outlook: 90% of Partners Optimistic About Growth in 202403:38 Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Grapple with Shadow IT Amid Digital Transformation06:53 AI PCs Poised for Significant Growth, Promising New Opportunities for Tech Industry Supported by:  https://huntress.com/mspradio/https://getinsync.ca/mspradio/  All our Sponsors:   https://businessof.tech/sponsors/    All our Sponsors:   https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/ Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/ Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com Follow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessoftech.bsky.social