Insights for MSP owners
Practical reading for managed service provider (MSP) owners building a stronger sales engine, putting artificial intelligence (AI) to work and making the business more valuable.
What are you working on?
Choose a goal. Each collection starts with three recommended reads.
Grow the sales engine
10 articlesBuild a stronger commercial engine, from pricing and margins to sales channels and the systems behind them.
- MSP Pricing Models 2026: Per User vs Per Device
- Average MSP Profit Margin: The Honest 2026 Benchmark
- Why MSP Outbound Agencies Disappoint in 2026
More in Growing an MSP (7)
- How Much Should an MSP Charge Per Seat?
- Should an MSP Put Pricing on Its Website?
- The MSP Tool Stack, Mapped to Where MSPs Actually Spend
- The MSP Moat: How Buyers Score Defensibility (2026)
- SMB IT Spending 2026 Overtakes Enterprise
- MSP AI Pricing: What Clients Pay For Now
- The MSP Is the Natural Entry Point for AI in the Mid-Market
Put AI to work and sell it
11 articlesStart with the policies, risk checks and vendor decisions that help you use AI inside your MSP and offer it responsibly to clients.
- MSP AI Governance: The Real AI Service Line
- AI Usage Policy Template: The 20 Decisions Behind It
- Vendor Scorecard Template: Gate First, Score Second
More in AI governance (8)
- Shadow AI: What It Is, How to Detect It, and the Stats
- AI Acceptable Use Policy: Free Template You Can Enforce
- AI Policy Examples: What 24 Real Ones Actually Say
- AI Data Leakage: What DLP Actually Catches
- AI Risk Assessment Template That Ends in Decisions
- ISO 42001 Explained: Do You Actually Need It?
- NIST AI RMF Explained: A Small Company's Version
- Shadow IT: The Complete Guide (and What Changed)
Build a more valuable MSP
6 articlesUnderstand what buyers pay for, what they discount and the financial readiness work you can do before a sale is on the horizon.
Tools & systems
Use these public resources to turn the reading into a first decision.
- Know Your Number quiz
A quick starting point for understanding your MSP’s value and what could move it.
- MSP buyer value model
The detailed companion: explore how your financials and different buyer types affect the modelled range.
- MSP pricing guide
Compare pricing models and the tradeoffs behind a more profitable offer.
- AI usage policy template
A practical starting point for setting expectations with your team.
- Vendor scorecard template
A structure for comparing vendors and documenting the decision.
Market intelligence
Wider research on the companies, capital and market shifts around MSPs.
The AI services landscape
5 articlesWho captures the value as AI changes who performs the work: the security services map, the enterprise implementation layer, and the HoldCos buying the companies that do the work.
- AI IT Security Services Landscape: 10 Companies
- AI Transformation Companies: Seven Firms Compared
- AI Services Holding Companies: Three HoldCos Compared
More in The AI services landscape (2)
The cybersecurity market
10 articlesWho funds cyber, who buys it, and what the capital side of the industry looks like from the inside. Market structure and money, not practitioner security.
- Cybersecurity Market Map 2026: 14 Domains, Key Vendors, and MSP Channels
- Cybersecurity market share: who leads each category, with revenue receipts
- The Most Active Private Equity Firms in Cybersecurity (2026)
More in The cybersecurity market (7)
- The 23 Most Active Cybersecurity VCs and Growth Equity Funds (2026)
- Insurance Companies Are Buying MSSPs Now: The Buyer Nobody Is Pricing
- Cyber insurance is quietly setting MSP valuation floors
- Why VCs Won't Fund the MSP-to-MSSP Transition
- AI SOC Economics: Costs, Pricing Models, and Who Keeps the Savings
- The CISO Survey Blind Spot
- NIS2, DORA and the MSP: Compliance Is the New Margin
All articles
The complete archive, newest first.
Showing all 138 articles.
2026
- Help Desk Outsourcing for MSPs: Real Costs and Margin Math 26 Aug 2026
- AI IT Security Services Landscape: 10 Companies 17 Aug 2026
- AI-Native Operator vs AI Application: Ownership Test 17 Aug 2026
- AI SOC Companies Compared: Exaforce, 7AI and More 17 Aug 2026
- AI SOC Software vs MDR: Five Tests for Buyers 17 Aug 2026
- Shield Technology Partners vs Titan MSP Compared 17 Aug 2026
- AI SOC Strategy for MSSPs: Buy, Partner or Build 17 Aug 2026
- Exaforce Review: Agentic SOC Platform vs MDR 17 Aug 2026
- 7AI Service as Software: Product, Operator or Base? 17 Aug 2026
- AirMDR vs TENEX: Which MDR Model Fits? 17 Aug 2026
- Dropzone AI Review: AI SOC Economics for MSSPs 17 Aug 2026
- Drata vs Vanta: Agentic GRC Platforms Compared 17 Aug 2026
- Serval AI ITSM: What Happens to Help-Desk Economics? 17 Aug 2026
- AI Transformation Companies: Seven Firms Compared 17 Aug 2026
- AI Transformation Company Landscape: Seven Firms 17 Aug 2026
- Forward Deployed Engineering Business Model Explained 17 Aug 2026
- AI Operating Systems for Enterprise: Three Compared 17 Aug 2026
- Ode with Anthropic: Inside the $1.5B Services Bet 17 Aug 2026
- AI Deployment Companies: Invisible, Tribe and Aivar 17 Aug 2026
- AI Services Holding Companies: Three HoldCos Compared 17 Aug 2026
- AI Services HoldCo Returns: An Investment Memo 17 Aug 2026
- Vendor Scorecard Template: Gate First, Score Second 13 Aug 2026
- ISO 42001 Explained: Do You Actually Need It? 30 Jul 2026
- AI Risk Assessment Template That Ends in Decisions 30 Jul 2026
- AI Data Leakage: What DLP Actually Catches 30 Jul 2026
- AI Policy Examples: What 24 Real Ones Actually Say 30 Jul 2026
- Shadow IT: The Complete Guide (and What Changed) 30 Jul 2026
- NIST AI RMF Explained: A Small Company's Version 30 Jul 2026
- AI Usage Policy Template: The 20 Decisions Behind It 30 Jul 2026
- AI Acceptable Use Policy: Free Template You Can Enforce 30 Jul 2026
- Best Cybersecurity Podcasts 2026: Every Feed Checked and Dated 30 Jul 2026
- The Best Angel Syndicates in Cybersecurity (2026) 26 Jul 2026
- The Best Books for MSP Owners (2026) 26 Jul 2026
- Best Cybersecurity Books for Builders & Investors (2026) 26 Jul 2026
- The MSP Is the Natural Entry Point for AI in the Mid-Market 20 Jul 2026
- Cybersecurity Events 2026: The Complete Conference Calendar 12 Jul 2026
- Cybersecurity market share: who leads each category, with revenue receipts 12 Jul 2026
- The 16 Most Active Cybersecurity Investors in Israel (2026) 12 Jul 2026
- The Most Active Cybersecurity Accelerators and Venture Studios (2026) 12 Jul 2026
- The AI MSP Roll-Up: What the Pitch Decks Skip 12 Jul 2026
- Why VCs Won't Fund the MSP-to-MSSP Transition 12 Jul 2026
- What Momentum Cyber's Cybersecurity Almanac means for a $3M MSP 12 Jul 2026
- The CISO Survey Blind Spot 12 Jul 2026
- Reading the Cyber Investor Circuit So You Don't Have To 11 Jul 2026
- The Best Cyber VCs Were Operators First 11 Jul 2026
- Cyber insurance is quietly setting MSP valuation floors 11 Jul 2026
- The MSP Exit Lifecycle: Every Stage, Mapped 11 Jul 2026
- What the Median MSP Deal Actually Looks Like (2026) 11 Jul 2026
- The MSP Moat: How Buyers Score Defensibility (2026) 11 Jul 2026
- The MDR Multiple Tax: What Real Security Depth Adds When You Sell Your MSP 11 Jul 2026
- Insurance Companies Are Buying MSSPs Now: The Buyer Nobody Is Pricing 11 Jul 2026
- Selling Your MSP: What Actually Changes in the First 100 Days 11 Jul 2026
- The Most Active Cybersecurity Investors in the Middle East (2026) 11 Jul 2026
- The Most Active Cybersecurity Investors in Europe (2026) 11 Jul 2026
- The 20 Most Active Cybersecurity Investors in the UK (2026) 11 Jul 2026
- The 23 Most Active Cybersecurity VCs and Growth Equity Funds (2026) 11 Jul 2026
- The Most Active Private Equity Firms in Cybersecurity (2026) 11 Jul 2026
- What Your MSP Is Worth in 2026: The New Valuation Math 11 Jul 2026
- The MSP Roll-Up Era Is Ending 11 Jul 2026
- Average MSP Profit Margin: The Honest 2026 Benchmark 11 Jul 2026
- MSP AI Pricing: What Clients Pay For Now 11 Jul 2026
- SMB IT Spending 2026 Overtakes Enterprise 11 Jul 2026
- NIS2, DORA and the MSP: Compliance Is the New Margin 11 Jul 2026
- The Most Active Private Equity Firms Buying MSPs in 2026 11 Jul 2026
- CMMC for MSPs: The Compliance Land-Grab and How to Win It 11 Jul 2026
- AI SOC Economics: Costs, Pricing Models, and Who Keeps the Savings 11 Jul 2026
- Cybersecurity Market Map 2026: 14 Domains, Key Vendors, and MSP Channels 10 Jul 2026
- The MSP Tool Stack, Mapped to Where MSPs Actually Spend 10 Jul 2026
- Best MSP Podcasts 2026: 24 Alive, Every Feed Checked 6 Jul 2026
- Where $1B of Venture Money in MSP Software Went 5 Jul 2026
- Venture Capital Is Now Funding MSP Buyers 5 Jul 2026
- Cost Plus Pricing Is Capping Your MSP Valuation 5 Jul 2026
- How Much Should an MSP Charge Per Seat? 5 Jul 2026
- MSP AI Governance: The Real AI Service Line 5 Jul 2026
- Why MSP Outbound Agencies Disappoint in 2026 5 Jul 2026
- MSP Owner Pay: Salary, Distributions, and Your Exit 5 Jul 2026
- MSP Pricing Models 2026: Per User vs Per Device 5 Jul 2026
- Should an MSP Put Pricing on Its Website? 5 Jul 2026
- Shadow AI: What It Is, How to Detect It, and the Stats 5 Jul 2026
- How to Value an MSP: The Method Buyers Use 5 Jul 2026
- What Moves an MSP's Multiple: The Levers 5 Jul 2026
- MSP Valuation Multiples 2026: What MSPs Sell For 5 Jul 2026
- Selling Your MSP: Exit Readiness Beats Negotiation 5 Jul 2026
- Who Buys MSPs? Why the Buyer Sets Your Price 5 Jul 2026
2025
- What Is a Fractional CFO? Cost, ROI and Is It Worth It 29 May 2025
- Proven Marketing & Sales Strategies to Get More Clients 20 May 2025
- How to Hire a Fractional CFO? What You Need to Know 12 May 2025
- Independent Sponsors vs Search Funds 4 Feb 2025
- Acquisition Entrepreneurship: A Comprehensive Exploration 15 Jan 2025
- Best Time to Buy a Business: Key Insights for Smart Entrepreneurs 15 Jan 2025
- Best Businesses to Buy in 2026: Passive Income and Cash Flow 15 Jan 2025
- Determining Your Borrowing Capacity to Purchase a Business 15 Jan 2025
- Comprehensive Guide to Valuing an E-commerce Business 15 Jan 2025
- How to Buy Out a Business Partner 15 Jan 2025
- How to Sell a Small Business Without a Broker: A Simple Guide 10 Jan 2025
- The Best Small Businesses to Buy in 2026 10 Jan 2025
- How Much Can You Sell Your Business For? 10 Jan 2025
- How Much Do Business Brokers Charge to Sell a Business? 10 Jan 2025
- 19 Top Business Brokers in 2026, Verified July 2026 10 Jan 2025
- What Is a CIM in M&A? Full Guide 10 Jan 2025
- How to Write a Letter of Intent to Buy a Business 10 Jan 2025
- Annual Planning: Steps to a Successful Business Plan 10 Jan 2025
- Be Your Own Boss: A Step-by-Step Guide 10 Jan 2025
- Fastest-Growing Online Industries to Invest In 2026 10 Jan 2025
- Types of Business Ownership: Which Fits Your Goals 10 Jan 2025
- How to Find Small Business Investors: A Friendly Guide 10 Jan 2025
- How to Use a 401(k) to Buy a Business (ROBS) 10 Jan 2025
- SDE vs EBITDA: Key Differences in Business Valuation 10 Jan 2025
- How to Build an Evergreen, Recurring-Revenue Company 10 Jan 2025
- SBA Loan Alternatives for Small Businesses 10 Jan 2025
- Online Business vs. Brick-and-Mortar: Which Fits You? 10 Jan 2025
- Demystifying Revenue-Based Business Valuation: A Clear Guide 10 Jan 2025
- How to Avoid Capital Gains Tax When Selling Your Business 10 Jan 2025
- How to Identify Your Business's Biggest Opportunities 10 Jan 2025
- Indication of Interest (IOI): What It Is and When to Use 10 Jan 2025
- Top Questions to Ask Before Buying a Business: Essential Guide 10 Jan 2025
- What Is Proof of Cash and Why It Matters 10 Jan 2025
- How to Find Businesses for Sale: Quick Tips to Spot Opportunities 10 Jan 2025
- SBA Loan Requirements: 5 Essentials You Need to Buy a Business 10 Jan 2025
2024
- YouTube Channel Acquisition: Key Players Guide 31 Dec 2024
- Crowdfunding for Startups: Strategies & Where It Fits 3 Jan 2024
- Business Turnaround: Key Strategies 3 Jan 2024
2023
- How to Set OKRs: Simple Steps and Examples 6 Dec 2023
- SaaS & B2B Service Buyer Personas: A Practical Guide 27 Nov 2023
- SaaS & Service Business Pricing Models and Strategies 19 Nov 2023
- Customer Segmentation for SaaS and B2B Services 14 Nov 2023
- Top 7 Pricing Metrics for SaaS and Service Businesses 14 Nov 2023
- B2B SaaS Fundraising Benchmarks and Investor Criteria 12 Oct 2023
- Negotiating Legal Agreements: A Complete Guide for Agencies 12 Oct 2023
- Structuring Your Agency Exit: A Complete Guide 12 Oct 2023
- How to Calculate Total Addressable Market (TAM) 10 Oct 2023
- Scalable Infrastructure for SaaS and Service Businesses 10 Oct 2023
- Client Lifetime Value & Unit Economics Explained 10 Oct 2023
- Product Channel Fit vs Product Market Fit 10 Oct 2023
- Amazon Aggregator Bankruptcies: Lessons from Failed Rollups 4 Oct 2023
- Understanding the Importance of a Business Exit Strategy 26 Sept 2023
- The Best Way to Sell Your Agency and Prepare for Post-Sale 26 Sept 2023
- Calculating Your Agency’s Worth Using Valuation Multiples 26 Sept 2023
MSP coaching plus tools & systems
Want help applying this to your business? Know Your Number brings these three goals into coaching, with personal review and support for implementation.
Paid coaching, by application. We discuss fees on the intro call.