In this episode, Channel Insider: A Partner’s PerspectiveVictoria Durgin is joined by Channel Insider staff writers Jordan Smith and Louis Miller for a mid-year look at the biggest IT channel trends shaping 2026.
The team will discuss AI adoption, the “SaaS apocalypse” discussion, AI-powered cyber threats, MSP security opportunities, service-led revenue, cyber resiliency, cyber insurance, partner program evolution, and continued M&A consolidation across the MSP market. We also summarize insights from recent event coverage, including Dell Technologies World and Scale Computing.
Topics include:
AI in Channels, MSP Services, Cybersecurity, Cyber Resilience, Partner Programs, AWS Marketplace, Anthropic, OpenAI, M&A Integration, What Partners Should Look Out for in H2 2026.
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00:00 Welcome to Channel Insider: Partner POV
01:10 Victoria Durgin introduces Jordan Smith and Lewis Miller
01:43 Favorite stories and notable trends for the first half of 2026
04:08 The “SaaS apocalypse” and broader technology market concerns
04:29 Event reports from Scale Computing and Dell Technologies World
07:29 AWS Marketplace, Customer AI Demand, and Partner Opportunities
08:49 AI state in channel
11:43 Why companies can’t rip and replace SaaS overnight
14:43 Dell, Local AI, Infrastructure and Partner Ecosystem
16:42 Anthropic, OpenAI, IPO momentum, and formal channel program
18:52 Security, AI Guardrails, Compliance, Machine Identity
19:32 AI-powered attacks, phishing, and social engineering risks
21:25 What MSPs need to know about the 2026 threat landscape
25:08 Corporate security demands and MSPs as trusted advisors
26:39 Service revenue exceeds product revenue
29:41 Cyber resilience, disaster recovery, and ransomware preparedness
31:43 A conversation about cyber insurance and results-based security
33:06 MSP M&A, integration, platform-based mega MSP
35:08 Forecast for second half of 2026
40:06 Partner Program Evolution, MDF, Incentives, Vendor Competition
41:41 APIs, MCPs, integrations, and platform-based tools
42:54 Why AI and enterprise vendors need channels
45:32 Where to follow Channel Insider coverage
