Over the last 15 years, Ryan VanAlstein has helped many small to midsized businesses (SMBs) pursue digital solutions. His firm, Adaptive Networks, has emerged as a highly successful managed IT service provider.
Adaptive Networks offers an array of services spanning consulting, network, unified communications, cabling, computer repair, and remote assistance. It focuses on areas as diverse as security, data backup, recovery, email, web hosting, and cloud services. The company is a Microsoft Silver Partner and also has partnerships in place with Cisco, Dell, HO Enterprise, and Lenovo.
VanAlstein has a deep understanding of how small firms can up their IT IQ. He’s adept at migrating SMBs to more agile and flexible digital frameworks that utilize cloud and automation.
ChannelPro recently caught up with VanAlstein and talked to him about his company, his industry perspective, and how MSPs can better navigate today’s challenging environment. Below is an edited version of the discussion.
ChannelPro: How has your firm navigated a challenging business and IT environment? How has it addressed the rapid state of digital change?
VanAlstein: We have grown steadily over the last few years because we decided to dive deep into cybersecurity and desktop virtualization. We saw the writing on the wall about the future of the MSP space. We worked hard to develop our skills in these areas and become highly competitive.
ChannelPro: What have been some of the biggest challenges in regard to getting into the desktop virtualization space?
VanAlstein: Coming out the Covid era, we realized that people need to be able to work from anywhere, on any device, and at any time — with a high level of security. We knew we had to evolve. So, we built a technology stack around that concept. It has paid for itself over and over again.
ChannelPro: What are you doing differently than your competitors in this space? What seems to work well for you in today’s IT and security environment?
VanAlstein: [We] focus heavily on the end-user experience. It’s important to deliver the best yet most simplified experience possible. We want to cut VPNs out of the picture. We want to reduce the complexity of a virtual desktop environment and make it so simple that you just turn on your computer and everything automatically works.
ChannelPro: Where does your competition fall short in that regard?
VanAlstein: Too often, MSPs overly complicate their business models and solutions. Many are still focused on creating tickets and working through all of them. One way we have addressed the challenge is to automate most of our Tier 1 and 2 tasks, and instead focus on addressing Tier 3. This way, we automate the less value-oriented tasks and use people to solve problems and add value.
ChannelPro: What is the most exciting part of your business? What do you like about being an MSP?
VanAlstein: The most exciting aspect is pursuing new technologies and solutions to address today’s challenges. It’s great to see customers come back to us and say, “Wow, you guys put this technology stack in place, and everything just works. Everything we wanted to do is now possible.” It’s exciting and fulfilling to receive this type of customer feedback and know we have done something so impactful. We enjoy making clients more efficient, productive, and successful.
ChannelPro: What advice can you offer other MSPs that are looking to advance their business?
VanAlstein: Stay agile, be willing to change — and be equipped to move very quickly. New technologies appear constantly, and they can be extremely disruptive. You don’t want to be the last MSP to offer a solution in a very hot space. It’s better to be out in front.
RYAN VANALSTEIN
President, Adaptive Networks
- Founded: 2009
- Location: Bakersfield, CA
- Website: adaptive-net.com
- Company focus: Providing complete solutions for businesses of all sizes throughout Bakersfield and Kern counties in California. Customizing solutions that match the needs of every unique business. Specializing in cloud systems, automations, Office 365, and Azure.
Samuel Greengard contributed to this article.
Image: Ryan VanAlstein
