The managed services industry is at a turning point. Demand is rising, client expectations are intensifying, and the pressure is on MSPs to do more with less. Against this backdrop, Summit Holdings has launched a new operating model—MSP-as-a-Service (MSP-aaS). The goal is to help MSPs scale faster, simplify operations, and increase recurring revenue. At the heart of the announcement is a simple idea: MSPs shouldn’t have to build everything themselves to grow.
Juan Fernandez
A Market Under Pressure
According to Omdia Research, the managed services market is expected to surpass $650 billion globally. Yet nearly 30% of MSPs fear their business could shrink in 2026 due to rising operational complexity and cybersecurity demands.
“Today’s MSPs are being asked to know more, deliver more, and secure more than ever before,” said Juan Fernandez, CEO of Summit Holdings, in a prepared statement. “At the same time, they are navigating rapid technology change, a persistent talent shortage, and rising service delivery and hardware costs.”
The result is what Fernandez describes as mounting “operational friction.” That slows growth, strains teams, and limits profitability.
Taking an Elastic, Pro-Revenue Approach
Fernandez sat down with ChannelPro to discuss why MSP-as-a-Service is the answer to those challenges. Rather than requiring MSPs to build and scale internal teams, the model provides on-demand access to enterprise-grade operational capabilities, including U.S.-based NOC, SOC, and service desk support. Those capabilities are powered by Summit’s recent acquisition, NOCDOC.
“MSP-as-a-Service provides providers with elastic, enterprise-grade operational capabilities without the need to acquire capital or develop infrastructure from scratch,” Fernandez shared.
This “elastic” approach allows MSPs to expand or contract service capacity as needed. That’s without hiring, overextending staff, or sacrificing service quality.
While outsourcing is nothing new in the channel, Summit Holdings is positioning MSP-aaS as fundamentally different. Traditional outsourcing often involves handing off services—sometimes overseas—and losing visibility or control. In contrast, MSP-aaS is fully white-labeled and U.S.-based.
“MSPs still call the shots and gain operational capacity without giving up ownership of their business, the customer, and the experience,” Fernandez emphasized.
Instead of replacing the MSP, the platform acts as an operational backbone, integrating service teams, tooling, and delivery frameworks into a unified system.
One of the biggest advantages of the MSP-aaS model is its ability to drive predictable, recurring revenue. By introducing a per-user pricing structure, Summit simplifies both service delivery and sales. MSPs can more easily package offerings, onboard customers faster, and scale without constantly adding headcount.
“When service delivery becomes easier to scale, recurring revenue follows,” Fernandez noted.
This shift not only improves margins but also reduces burnout. And ensures the long-term health of MSPs, who try to keep pace with demand.
More Benefits to the MSP-as-a-Service Model
Time is a critical factor for MSPs looking to grow, especially when building internal operations can take months—or longer. MSP-as-a-Service is designed to deliver value almost immediately.
“Once onboarded, MSPs gain immediate access to NOC, SOC, and service desk capabilities along with the frameworks and tooling that support them,” said Fernandez.
This rapid access allows providers to respond quickly to new opportunities, evolving customer needs, and increasing security demands without sourcing or building out internal infrastructure.
The as-a-Service approach simplifies one of the most complex and urgent SMB client needs: cybersecurity. MSPs are now expected to deliver 24/7 monitoring, structured frameworks, and compliance alignment as standard. MSP-aaS addresses these challenges through ITIL-aligned and CIS-mapped frameworks, supported by continuous SOC operations.
“That structure helps MSPs deliver stronger security services while keeping pace with evolving threats,” Fernandez explained.
Importantly, this added operational power does not come at the expense of the customer relationship. MSPs retain full ownership of their brand and client experience through a fully white-labeled model.
“From the customer’s perspective, they are interacting directly with the MSP’s own team,” he went on to note.
The result is a model where operational delivery happens seamlessly behind the scenes, while MSPs remain the trusted advisor. According to Fernandez, that strengthens relationships rather than diluting them.
The Path Forward is MSP 5.0
Summit Holdings frames this launch as part of a broader industry evolution it calls “MSP 5.0.”
“Instead of every MSP trying to build enterprise-grade operations on their own, they can leverage shared operational frameworks that accelerate growth and efficiency,” Fernandez said. This allows MSPs to focus on what truly differentiates them: specialization, customer experience, and business outcomes.
For MSP leaders who feel overwhelmed or unable to scale, Fernandez warned that when a small or midsize MSP overextends itself, it can slow growth, burn cash, and stretch resources.
Instead, he encourages providers to embrace collaboration and proven platforms.
“When operational barriers are removed, MSP leaders can refocus on what really drives the business: serving customers, innovating services, and growing the company,” he said.
With MSP-as-a-Service, Summit Holdings is betting that the future of managed services lies in collaboration. By combining operational infrastructure, experienced talent, and flexible delivery into a single platform, MSP-aaS aims to give providers room to grow without the growing pains.
Jonathan Browning is executive director of content and engagement for The ChannelPro Network. He has been a leader in the IT channel for close to a decade. He’s an avid fan and early adopter of technology and believes that the Managed Services industry is the most important driver of economic growth and human innovation.
Images: Summit Holdings. Juan Fernandez
