CFO Hannah Paige and newly appointed CRO Michael Kourkoulakos, the former CEO of NENS, share how the newly combined organization is building a cyber-first MSP platform designed for complex, regulated industries. The conversation explores why vertical specialization is replacing the traditional “generalist MSP” model, how cybersecurity and cloud complexity have reshaped the market, and how Harbor IT plans to scale expertise across industries like life sciences and financial services.

They also discuss the role of specialized practices, advisory services, and proprietary security capabilities to help mid-market organizations strengthen their cybersecurity posture while accelerating business growth.

Topics Covered 

- The evolution of the MSP market 

- Why generalist MSPs are struggling to compete 

- Harbor IT’s cyber-first strategy 

- The acquisition of New England Network Solutions (NENS) 

- How vertical specialization drives customer value 

- Scaling expertise across regulated industries 

- The future of managed services in 2026 and beyond

Timestamps 

00:00 – Why the traditional MSP model is breaking 

00:28 – Introduction to Harbor IT and the acquisition of NENS 

01:44 – Harbor IT’s mission and cyber-first strategy 

04:43 – The origin and growth of New England Network Solutions 

09:30 – Customer benefits of the Harbor IT + NENS integration 

12:29 – Expanding expertise across a 400-person platform 

14:26 – Why the “generalist MSP” model is a losing strategy, according to Michael 

18:09 – What changed in IT over the past 15 years 

20:20 – Risks for MSPs that fail to specialize 

21:25 – How Harbor IT plans to stay competitive through 2026

A new episode of Channel Insider: Partner POV is released every other Thursday. 

Watch the interview on YouTube @ChannelInsider_NewsAndTrends

If you have questions for a featured solution provider or want to be a guest on the show, reach out to us at [email protected]

For more episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV as well as written content on the IT channel, go to channelinsider.com

Connect with Channel Insider on LinkedIn. 

Episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV are hosted and produced by Katie Bavoso with help from Dana Sell, and edited by Ayen Alvarez and Katie Bavoso. 

The cover art for Channel Insider: Partner POV was created by Aubri Ziegler. The opening and closing animations were made by Mackenzie Burke. The thumbnails for each episode are made by Brandon Cornwell.

Channel Insider: Partner POV is an asset of Channel Insider, which is a brand under TechnologyAdvice.

Joe Green of Netskope and Paul Herrmann of Optiv discuss the real-world impact of SASE, data protection, shadow AI, and why outcomes-driven partnerships matter more than ever in today’s security landscape.

Topics covered include:

- Securing cloud and AI adoption without slowing innovation 

- The rise of shadow AI and how to control it 

- Why services and governance are critical to security outcomes 

- How Netskope and Optiv collaborate to reduce customer friction 

- A real-world customer success story spanning deployment to managed services 

Chapters / Time Codes

00:00 – Introduction and why secure modernization matters 

00:57 – The Netskope and Optiv partnership explained 

02:19 – Netskope’s IPO and what it means for partners 

04:30 – Why outcomes matter more than tools alone 

05:12 – AI innovation vs security and compliance challenges 

06:09 – How Netskope secures cloud and AI journeys 

08:03 – What shadow AI is and why it’s risky 

10:01 – How Optiv adds value with governance and services 

11:14 – Partner collaboration before the customer meeting 

14:34 – Customer success story from deployment to expansion 

18:05 – Where to learn more about Netskope and Optiv

For more Partner POV episodes, visit ChannelInsider.com.
 

A new episode of Channel Insider: Partner POV is released every other Thursday. 

Watch the interview on YouTube @ChannelInsider_NewsAndTrends

If you have questions for a featured solution provider or want to be a guest on the show, reach out to us at [email protected]

For more episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV as well as written content on the IT channel, go to channelinsider.com

Connect with Channel Insider on LinkedIn. 

Episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV are hosted and produced by Katie Bavoso with help from Dana Sell, and edited by Ayen Alvarez and Katie Bavoso. 

The cover art for Channel Insider: Partner POV was created by Aubri Ziegler. The opening and closing animations were made by Mackenzie Burke. The thumbnails for each episode are made by Brandon Cornwell.

Channel Insider: Partner POV is an asset of Channel Insider, which is a brand under TechnologyAdvice.

From Anthropic vs. OpenAI vs. Google to the AI bubble debate, AGI definitions, and how everyday users are leveraging tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, this episode breaks down what’s hype, what’s real, and what it actually means for businesses and individuals.

Plus: how The Neuron became one of the fastest-growing AI podcasts in just one year. 
 

Topics Covered:

00:00 – Welcome + Neuron crossover intro 

02:39 – Why The Neuron reboot worked 

05:16 – Landing interviews with Microsoft & OpenAI 

09:35 – Favorite interviews (OpenAI, Pathway, Microsoft AI) 

12:35 – Who’s winning AI right now? Anthropic vs. OpenAI vs. Google 

17:26 – What is AGI and why can’t anyone define it? 

20:30 – Real-world AI use cases (plumbing, home repairs, daily life) 

24:39 – How Grant & Corey use AI professionally 

32:06 – Is it impossible to stay ahead of AI? 

34:47 – You don't need to spend 10 hours a day learning AI. Alberto Romero on how to learn AI in 1 Day.

37:54 – Are we in an AI bubble? 

44:05 – AI vs. the internet revolution comparison 

48:18 – Safety, regulation, and responsible AI use 50:21 – Where to follow The Neuron

Whether you’re an IT leader, business decision-maker, or just trying to figure out where in your life you could use AI, this conversation delivers clarity without the hype. 

👉 Subscribe to Channel Insider for more conversations with tech leaders. See more interviews and channel content at channelinsider.com

👉 Check out The Neuron at theneurondaily.com and on YouTube  @theneuronai ​

A new episode of Channel Insider: Partner POV is released every other Thursday. 

Watch the interview on YouTube @ChannelInsider_NewsAndTrends

If you have questions for a featured solution provider or want to be a guest on the show, reach out to us at [email protected]

For more episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV as well as written content on the IT channel, go to channelinsider.com

Connect with Channel Insider on LinkedIn. 

Episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV are hosted and produced by Katie Bavoso with help from Dana Sell, and edited by Ayen Alvarez and Katie Bavoso. 

The cover art for Channel Insider: Partner POV was created by Aubri Ziegler. The opening and closing animations were made by Mackenzie Burke. The thumbnails for each episode are made by Brandon Cornwell.

Channel Insider: Partner POV is an asset of Channel Insider, which is a brand under TechnologyAdvice.

Learn how zero trust principles apply to AI, why blocking AI increases risk, and how AWS enables secure, enterprise-ready AI environments.

00:00 – The AI adoption paradox: Move fast or risk falling behind
03:06 – What surprises companies most about AI usage
05:05 – Why legacy security tools fail with LLM workflows
07:34 – What zero trust looks like in an AI-driven enterprise
09:49 – Real-world financial services use case
11:08 – Why SurePath AI partnered with AWS
13:55 – How SurePath fits into the AWS partner ecosystem
15:28 – Time to value: What customers see in the first hour
17:56 – The 30–60 day shift from risk management to AI acceleration
18:19 – Why CIOs and CISOs must become the “Department of Yes”
19:31 – Where to learn more about SurePath AI

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with technology leaders shaping the future of the IT channel.

A new episode of Channel Insider: Partner POV is released every other Thursday. 

Watch the interview on YouTube @ChannelInsider_NewsAndTrends

If you have questions for a featured solution provider or want to be a guest on the show, reach out to us at [email protected]

For more episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV as well as written content on the IT channel, go to channelinsider.com

Connect with Channel Insider on LinkedIn. 

Episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV are hosted and produced by Katie Bavoso with help from Dana Sell, and edited by Ayen Alvarez and Katie Bavoso. 

The cover art for Channel Insider: Partner POV was created by Aubri Ziegler. The opening and closing animations were made by Mackenzie Burke. The thumbnails for each episode are made by Brandon Cornwell.

Channel Insider: Partner POV is an asset of Channel Insider, which is a brand under TechnologyAdvice.

Glenn shares how his role has evolved since becoming CEO in 2025, how Integris is investing heavily in AI, automation, and the application layer, and why the company is acquiring both MSP and non-MSP businesses to build a true digital-state platform. Kyle explains how verticalization, deep customer expertise, and advisory services are helping Integris stand out in an increasingly crowded MSP market — and what customers can do with the additional AI budget many are allocating in 2026. 

This conversation dives into how MSPs can move beyond infrastructure, avoid commoditization, and become long-term strategic partners for their customers.

00:00 – Welcome & 2026 vision for Integris
Glenn Mathis returns to Partner POV as CEO alongside new CRO Kyle Wewe.

01:28 – Glenn’s new role as CEO & setting the pace for growth
How Integris is aligning strategy, culture, and investments for the future.

03:25 – From infrastructure to the digital state
Why Integris is expanding into data, applications, and AI-driven services.

04:20 – Why Kyle joined Integris as CRO
Culture, transformation, and growth opportunities.

06:30 – What Glenn looks for in executive leaders
Curiosity, adaptability, and building for what’s next.

09:33 – Why Integris refuses to be a “replaceable MSP”
How positioning and portfolio strategy prevent commoditization.

13:12 – Verticalization as a true differentiator
Building industry-specific playbooks, KPIs, and automations.

18:31 – Avoiding price-based buying decisions
Why Integris invests heavily in assessments and advisory up front.

23:10 – Acquiring beyond MSPs
How data, automation, and AI companies fit Integris’ strategy.

25:34 – The application layer focus for 2026
Helping customers actually use the data they already have.

28:14 – How Integris is investing in AI
Reimagining workflows with AI agents and automation.

31:09 – Launching an AI Center of Excellence
Upskilling teams and building vertical-specific automations.

32:47 – How customers should use their AI budgets in 2026
Practical guidance for starting (or scaling) an AI journey.

A new episode of Channel Insider: Partner POV is released every other Thursday. 

Watch the interview on YouTube @ChannelInsider_NewsAndTrends

If you have questions for a featured solution provider or want to be a guest on the show, reach out to us at [email protected]

For more episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV as well as written content on the IT channel, go to channelinsider.com

Connect with Channel Insider on LinkedIn. 

Episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV are hosted and produced by Katie Bavoso with help from Dana Sell, and edited by Ayen Alvarez and Katie Bavoso. 

The cover art for Channel Insider: Partner POV was created by Aubri Ziegler. The opening and closing animations were made by Mackenzie Burke. The thumbnails for each episode are made by Brandon Cornwell.

Channel Insider: Partner POV is an asset of Channel Insider, which is a brand under TechnologyAdvice.

Mohan explains how Rafay works alongside AWS, why native cloud tools fall short in complex environments, and how enterprises can move from months-long setup times to production in hours. The conversation also dives into real-world use cases across biotech, finance, and global enterprises, showcasing how Rafay enables self-service, standardization, and faster innovation at scale.

Whether you’re running AWS EKS, managing on-prem infrastructure, or preparing for AI-driven workloads, this interview breaks down what modern platform engineering looks like today.

⏱️ Topics & Time Codes

00:00 – Introduction to Partner POV & Rafay Systems 

00:57 – What Rafay does and the cloud environments it serves 

02:12 – Managing hybrid, multi-cloud, and air-gapped environments 

02:50 – Rafay vs. native cloud tools and competing platforms 

04:28 – Analyst recognition, enterprise adoption, and outcomes 

05:28 – Time to value: Rafay vs. DIY Kubernetes 

07:01 – Real-world customer story: biotech, compliance, and speed 

09:20 – Supporting AI, GPUs, and containerized workloads 

11:19 – GPU sharing, quotas, and global data science teams 

12:59 – Rafay’s long-standing strategic partnership with AWS 

15:44 – Why AWS EKS users add Rafay on top 

17:46 – Self-service platforms, governance, and developer productivity 

19:00 – Free trials and how to get started with Rafay 

20:14 – Closing remarks

A new episode of Channel Insider: Partner POV is released every other Thursday. 

Watch the interview on YouTube @ChannelInsider_NewsAndTrends

If you have questions for a featured solution provider or want to be a guest on the show, reach out to us at [email protected]

For more episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV as well as written content on the IT channel, go to channelinsider.com

Connect with Channel Insider on LinkedIn. 

Episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV are hosted and produced by Katie Bavoso with help from Dana Sell, and edited by Ayen Alvarez and Katie Bavoso. 

The cover art for Channel Insider: Partner POV was created by Aubri Ziegler. The opening and closing animations were made by Mackenzie Burke. The thumbnails for each episode are made by Brandon Cornwell.

Channel Insider: Partner POV is an asset of Channel Insider, which is a brand under TechnologyAdvice.

With customers across the UK and North America, Truly SMB focuses on helping organizations become “tech fit” through incremental, outcome-driven AI adoption—especially within the Microsoft ecosystem. The conversation explores why SMBs are underserved by the channel, how Microsoft Copilot is changing day-to-day work, and why AI adoption must be an ongoing journey, not a one-time project.

This episode is ideal for MSPs, IT leaders, and SMB decision-makers looking to understand practical AI adoption, Microsoft Copilot use cases, and how service providers can guide long-term transformation.

Topics & Time Codes

00:00 – Introduction to Truly SMB Who Truly SMB serves and why SMBs are the backbone of the economy 

01:26 – Why SMBs Struggle With AI Adoption The challenges small businesses face when adopting new technology 

05:03 – What “Tech Fit” Really Means Defining tech fitness and how Truly SMB benchmarks customer readiness 

08:10 – AI Adoption Is Not One-and-Done Why continuous enablement matters more than single training sessions 

10:49 – Real-World Microsoft Copilot Adoption Story How accountability and follow-ups drive real AI usage 

13:09 – New CEO Vision for Truly SMB Tim Rooks on leadership, rebranding, and long-term strategy 

17:41 – AI Strategy for SMBs in 2026 How Truly SMB helps customers start small and see quick wins 

19:47 – Using AI Internally: “Customer Zero” How Truly SMB applies AI to its own operations 

21:45 – Microsoft Copilot vs. Public AI Tools Why Copilot is a safer, easier entry point for SMBs, according to Tim and Matt 

26:43 – Partnering With the UK’s Largest Chamber of Commerce Helping 12,000 businesses adopt AI responsibly 

28:15 – Why SMBs Are Underserved by the Channel The business case for investing in SMB-focused AI solutions 

29:58 – What’s Next for Truly SMB in 2026 AI roadmaps, customer obsession, and platform innovation 

35:03 – How to Get Started With Truly SMB Taking the free Tech Fit assessment

A new episode of Channel Insider: Partner POV is released every other Thursday. 

Watch the interview on YouTube @ChannelInsider_NewsAndTrends

If you have questions for a featured solution provider or want to be a guest on the show, reach out to us at [email protected]

For more episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV as well as written content on the IT channel, go to channelinsider.com

Connect with Channel Insider on LinkedIn. 

Episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV are hosted and produced by Katie Bavoso with help from Dana Sell, and edited by Ayen Alvarez and Katie Bavoso. 

The cover art for Channel Insider: Partner POV was created by Aubri Ziegler. The opening and closing animations were made by Mackenzie Burke. The thumbnails for each episode are made by Brandon Cornwell.

Channel Insider: Partner POV is an asset of Channel Insider, which is a brand under TechnologyAdvice.

From VMware and Broadcom partner shakeups to AI maturity, governance, security, major tech layoffs, CMMC 2.0 enforcement, and the evolving role of MSPs, this episode delivers a comprehensive look at how the channel is changing—and what partners need to prepare for the new year. 

Whether you’re an MSP, vendor, distributor, or channel strategist, this episode covers the insights that shaped 2025 and will influence decisions in the year ahead.

Topics & Time Codes 

00:00 – Welcome & Q4 2025 channel overview 

01:25 – Introducing Channel Insider writer Luis Millares 

04:50 – Executive leadership shifts and vendor changes 

06:34 – VMware & Broadcom partner program impact 

11:51 – Partner-to-partner collaboration trends 

12:13 – Veeam + ServiceNow partnership explained 

13:36 – AI in the channel: from hype to execution 

14:24 – Generative AI, agents, and enterprise adoption 

16:20 – AI governance, trust, and compliance concerns 

18:28 – Is there an AI bubble—or an “AI balloon”? 

21:57 – Security, AI threats, and regulatory pressure 

24:00 – CMMC 2.0 enforcement timeline and opportunities 

26:26 – AI-powered cyber threats and Zero Trust 

29:31 – Data sovereignty and cloud compliance trends 

31:06 – Major tech layoffs: causes and channel impact

37:09 – How partners are choosing vendors in 2025 

38:59 – MSP evolution and the rise of advisory services 

44:12 – Channel Insider highlights & proudest moments 

48:36 – Favorite stories and standout interviews of 2025 

55:20 – 2026 predictions: AI, security, compliance & more 

59:01 – The channel’s growing role in the IT ecosystem 
 

A new episode of Channel Insider: Partner POV is released every other Thursday. 

Watch the interview on YouTube @ChannelInsider_NewsAndTrends

If you have questions for a featured solution provider or want to be a guest on the show, reach out to us at [email protected]

For more episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV as well as written content on the IT channel, go to channelinsider.com

Connect with Channel Insider on LinkedIn. 

Episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV are hosted and produced by Katie Bavoso with help from Dana Sell, and edited by Ayen Alvarez and Katie Bavoso. 

The cover art for Channel Insider: Partner POV was created by Aubri Ziegler. The opening and closing animations were made by Mackenzie Burke. The thumbnails for each episode are made by Brandon Cornwell.

Channel Insider: Partner POV is an asset of Channel Insider, which is a brand under TechnologyAdvice.

In this episode of Partner POV, Superhuman’s Vice President of Global Partnerships, Ko Mistry, joins host Katie Bavoso to discuss AI market shifts, partner opportunities, adoption challenges, and how unified AI can drive real business outcomes for customers and MSPs.

Topics & Time Codes: 

00:00 – Superhuman rebrand and AI productivity vision 

00:36 – Launch of the Superhuman Alliance partner program 

01:02 – AI market shift from experimentation to accountability 

02:13 – Measuring AI outcomes: productivity, quality, and scale 

02:38 – Why AI adoption matters more than AI tools 

03:54 – Superhuman’s differentiation in a crowded AI market 

04:24 – AI agents embedded into daily workflows 

05:35 – Building the Superhuman Alliance around customer value 

06:15 – Four partner value streams: sell, deliver, adopt, expand 

07:36 – Grammarly, Coda, and Superhuman Mail under one platform 

09:33 – Unified AI vs. “AI chaos” 

10:25 – Skills partners need to succeed with AI adoption 

11:53 – How Superhuman levels the playing field for partners 

13:44 – What true partnership looks like in the AI era 

14:32 – Growth opportunities for partners in AI productivity 

16:07 – How to join the Superhuman Alliance

A new episode of Channel Insider: Partner POV is released every other Thursday. 

Watch the interview on YouTube @ChannelInsider_NewsAndTrends

If you have questions for a featured solution provider or want to be a guest on the show, reach out to us at [email protected]

For more episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV as well as written content on the IT channel, go to channelinsider.com

Connect with Channel Insider on LinkedIn. 

Episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV are hosted and produced by Katie Bavoso with help from Dana Sell, and edited by Ayen Alvarez and Katie Bavoso. 

The cover art for Channel Insider: Partner POV was created by Aubri Ziegler. The opening and closing animations were made by Mackenzie Burke. The thumbnails for each episode are made by Brandon Cornwell.

Channel Insider: Partner POV is an asset of Channel Insider, which is a brand under TechnologyAdvice.

Hans shares Data41’s nearly 20-year journey, including pivotal acquisitions, strategic pivots, and how AI opened the door to life sciences and social services innovation. From accelerating donor eligibility decisions in tissue banks to helping clinicians spend more time with at-risk youth, this conversation highlights AI use cases that go far beyond automation — and into saving time, resources, and lives.

🔔 Subscribe for more IT channel insights, vendor stories, and real-world AI use cases.

Topics & Time Codes 

00:00 – Welcome & Episode Overview Introduction to Data41 and how AI is helping humans, not replacing them 

01:18 – Founding Data41 (2006) Why Hans started the company and early challenges as a VAR 

03:16 – From VAR to ISV How market shifts and AI led to a new business model 

07:20 – Building an AI Practice Hiring Data41’s first AI engineer and early experimentation 

09:19 – AI in Social Services Partnering with McKinley Children’s Center to help at-risk youth 

10:55 – Entering Life Sciences Developing AI for tissue banks and donor eligibility workflows 

13:57 – Commercializing AI Software Turning a custom project into a scalable product 

16:35 – The Human Impact of AI Why accuracy and speed matter when lives are involved 

17:31 – Reducing Clinician Burnout Using AI to cut paperwork and increase face time with children 

22:53 – How AI Customer Conversations Have Evolved Moving from “Can you help us with AI?” to outcome-driven strategy 

25:57 – Current AI Roadblocks Trust, training data, niche industries, and adoption challenges 

29:18 – Data41’s AI Focus Going Into 2026 Life sciences, social services, and selective custom projects 

32:03 – Partner Ecosystem Value The role of IBM, Ingram Micro, and Microsoft in Data41’s growth 

37:38 – Advice for Aspiring Founders Lessons learned from nearly two decades in business 

40:07 – Where to Learn More About Data41 How to connect with Hans and the Data41 team

A new episode of Channel Insider: Partner POV is released every other Thursday. 

Watch the interview on YouTube @ChannelInsider_NewsAndTrends

If you have questions for a featured solution provider or want to be a guest on the show, reach out to us at [email protected]

For more episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV as well as written content on the IT channel, go to channelinsider.com

Connect with Channel Insider on LinkedIn. 

Episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV are hosted and produced by Katie Bavoso with help from Dana Sell, and edited by Ayen Alvarez and Katie Bavoso. 

The cover art for Channel Insider: Partner POV was created by Aubri Ziegler. The opening and closing animations were made by Mackenzie Burke. The thumbnails for each episode are made by Brandon Cornwell.

Channel Insider: Partner POV is an asset of Channel Insider, which is a brand under TechnologyAdvice.