How to Evaluate an "AI-Powered MSP" Claim Before You Buy It
Gartner found roughly 130 of thousands of vendors claiming agentic AI were the real thing. A buyer-side test for MSPs selling AI — what to ask, and what a real answer sounds like.
August 25, 2026What Backup Vendors Won't Volunteer: Vetting Ransomware-Resistant Backup Claims in 2026
"Immutable" and "air-gapped" have lost most of their technical meaning in backup marketing. The questions that separate architectural protection from a toggle an attacker can flip.
August 18, 2026Why MSPs Are Moving Away from Per-User Pricing: The 2026 Shift to Outcome-Based Contracts
Automation is breaking the per-user MSP billing model. What outcome-based and value-based contracts actually change for buyers — and the clauses that decide whether you benefit.
July 18, 2026What Managed IT Services Actually Cost in 2026: Per-User, Per-Device, and All-In Pricing Explained
Real per-user, per-device, and all-in MSP pricing ranges for 2026 — what each billing model actually covers, what compliance adds to the bill, and how to normalize competing proposals.
July 18, 2026Virtual CISO Services for SMBs: When You Need One, What It Costs, How to Vet Providers
A buyer's guide to virtual CISO services for SMBs — the triggers that mean you need one, 2026 pricing by engagement tier, and the questions that separate a real fractional security leader from a relabeled generalist.
February 17, 2026Microsoft Partner vs Independent MSP: Which Is Right for You?
A buyer-side comparison of Microsoft Solutions Partner MSPs versus independent managed IT providers — what the designation actually means, when it matters, and when it doesn't.
December 2, 2025IT Services RFP: A Template and Process for SMBs
A practical IT services RFP template and process guide for small and mid-size businesses — what to include, how to structure the evaluation, and how to avoid the common mistakes that produce bad vendor selections.
September 23, 2025Why Most MSP Contracts Are Bad — And How to Negotiate Better
A buyer-side guide to MSP contract negotiation — the clauses that favor vendors, what to push back on, and the specific terms that make an MSP contract actually protect you.
April 8, 2025Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace for Mid-Market Companies: 2025 Comparison
A vendor-neutral comparison of Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace for mid-market businesses — pricing, IT administration overhead, compliance capabilities, and the scenarios where each wins.
March 11, 2025When to Outsource IT vs Build an Internal IT Team
A framework for deciding when to outsource IT to an MSP and when to hire internal staff — with real cost comparisons and the inflection points where each model makes more sense.
January 14, 2025Backup and Disaster Recovery: A 2025 SMB Buyer's Guide
A plain-English buyer's guide to backup and disaster recovery for small and mid-size businesses — what RTO and RPO mean, how to evaluate vendors, and what a real DR plan requires.
September 24, 2024What a Virtual CISO Really Costs in 2025
A transparent look at vCISO pricing — hourly rates, retainer structures, and what you actually get at each price point. Written for buyers, not sellers.
July 16, 2024MSP vs MSSP: When You Need a Cybersecurity Specialist
A practical comparison of managed IT service providers (MSPs) and managed security service providers (MSSPs) — what each does, how their pricing differs, and how to decide which your organization actually needs.
June 18, 2024How to Choose a Managed IT Service Provider for Your SMB
A practical, vendor-skeptical buyer's guide for small and mid-size businesses evaluating MSPs — what to look for, what to demand in a contract, and what red flags to walk away from.