MSPs that want to stay ahead in the channel must understand emerging tech trends, leverage growth opportunities, and address modern challenges with strategic solutions. Here are the more critical IT stats and trends that will shape 2025 and beyond.
Technology Growth: What’s Driving the Market?
The global technology market is accelerating, solidifying its position as a top economic driver. For MSPs, this creates immense opportunities for service expansion. It also challenges service providers to stay competitive.
- Global Tech Market Size: Worldwide IT spending will reach $5.74 trillion in 2025, a 9.3% increase from 2024. That’s a sizable jump compared to the 7.2% increase forecasted for 2024.
- Cloud Computing Boom: The cloud services market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 18.4% from 2023 to 2030.
- Reskilling Needs: Over 44% of workforce skills will require updating by 2027 due to technological advancements.
Actionable Insight for MSPs
Seize the growing cloud services market by offering specialized solutions in cloud migration, management, and optimization services. At the same time, invest in workforce reskilling programs to align your team’s expertise with rapid technological advancements and maintain a competitive edge.
Data and Cybersecurity: A Business Imperative
With businesses generating and relying on more data than ever, cybersecurity is not just a priority — it’s a critical business function.
- Data Creation Explosion: By 2025, 181 zettabytes of data will be created globally, up from 64 zettabytes in 2020. It will surpass 394 zettabytes by 2028.
- Cybersecurity Spending: Businesses are expected to spend $211 billion on cybersecurity solutions in 2025.
- Prioritizing Security: 58% of companies view cybersecurity as a main consideration when assessing new projects.
Actionable Insight for MSPs
Establish yourself as a trusted cybersecurity ally by providing cutting-edge threat detection, rapid incident response, and tailored compliance solutions for your clients. Leverage the surge in data creation and increasing cybersecurity investments to deliver proactive, scalable services that secure client data and drive long-term partnerships.
Emerging Technologies: Shaping Tomorrow’s Landscape
Innovative tech like AI, IoT, and quantum computing are reshaping not just the future but also the present.
- AI in Business: Artificial intelligence will contribute $15.7 trillion by 2030, representing a 26% increase in global GDP.
- IoT Expansion: The number of IoT devices is expected to approach 31 billion by 2025, a large increase over the 13.8 billion in 2021.
- Quantum Leap: The quantum computing market’s value is projected to reach $12.62 billion by 2032, a jump from $1.16 billion in 2024.
Actionable Insight for MSPs
Position your MSP as a leader in emerging technologies by mastering AI and IoT integrations. This way, you will enable your clients to enhance automation, improve operational efficiency, and unlock new revenue streams. Stay current on quantum computing trends. Watch for the “ChatGPT moment” — when quantum computing becomes both a marketable product and an IT challenge.
Mobile and Communication Trends
Mobile technology continues to redefine how businesses communicate and collaborate.
- Mobile Usage Growth: There will be 18.22 billion mobile devices in use globally by 2025.
- Unified Communications Growth: The UCaaS market will hit $262.37 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 19.8%.
- VoIP Adoption: Businesses are phasing out traditional phones, with the VoIP market projected to reach $100 billion by 2032.
Actionable Insight for MSPs
Capitalize on the shift toward mobile and cloud-based communication by offering tailored VoIP and UCaaS solutions that improve collaboration, reduce costs, and support hybrid work environments. Focus on educating clients about the benefits of scalable, future-proof communication systems to replace outdated legacy technologies and drive long-term efficiencies.
E-commerce Opportunities
Digital commerce continues to thrive, creating opportunities for MSPs to optimize and manage websites, marketing automation platforms, and related technologies.
- E-commerce Growth: Global online sales are expected to reach $8.1 trillion by 2027, accounting for 24% of all retail sales.
- Web Development Market Growth: The global web development market will double to $130.9 billion by 2032.
Actionable Insight for MSPs
With the rise in e-commerce, securing platforms against phishing and cyberattacks presents a critical need. It’s also a lucrative opportunity for MSPs to provide managed security solutions. Additionally, MSPs can consult on and implement advanced marketing tools, helping clients leverage data analytics, and automate to boost online engagement and sales.
Hardware Is a Core Component
Even as businesses transition to the cloud, hardware still is essential for enabling IT infrastructure.
- Global Hardware Spend: IT hardware investments are forecast to hit $579.7 billion by 2025. The largest categories will be client computing, server computing, and network infrastructure.
- Windows 10 EOL Impact: 240 million PCs may become e-waste due to incompatibility with Windows 11.
- The Future of Servers: The global server market will grow to $230.1 billion by 2034 from $95.7 billion in 2023.
Actionable Insight for MSPs
Deliver hybrid infrastructure solutions that seamlessly integrate on-premises hardware with cloud environments. This will offer clients both scalability and resilience. Prioritize server upgrades and offer proactive laptop/PC refresh cycle planning for Windows 10 end of life.
Final Thoughts
For MSPs, 2025 is shaping up to be a watershed year. But this only will be the case if IT providers understand the stats and trends shaping the landscape. By anticipating changing needs and aligning services accordingly, MSPs can position themselves as indispensable partners in their clients’ future success.
Featured image: iStock
