296 – Why the Obsolete MSP Model is Dying and How to Join the MIP Elite
From Ultimate Partner® by Vince Menzione - Technology Industry Sales and Partner Executive
April 21, 2026 · 40 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the transition from Managed Service Providers to Managed Intelligence Providers and the implications for the IT channel.
Mastering the shift from MSP to MIP. Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://theultimatepartner.com/ebook-subscribe/ Check Out UPX: https://theultimatepartner.com/experience/ In this insightful episode, Oguo Atuanya, CVP of Vendor Experience at Pax8, joins us to discuss the pivotal evolution in the IT channel: the transition from Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to Managed Intelligence Providers (MIPs). We explore how the marketplace is moving beyond traditional infrastructure support toward a future defined by AI-driven orchestration, business consultancy, and scalable agent-tech organizations. Oguo details how Pax8 is leading this transformation by curating solutions that allow partners to move from transactional service models to life-cycle management that prioritizes measurable ROI for the Small and Medium Business (SMB) market. Key Takeaways Pax8 is redefining the role of the distributor by acting as an AI commerce platform for the SMB market. The shift from Managed Service Provider (MSP) to Managed Intelligence Provider (MIP) is critical for scaling in the modern tech era. Successful MSPs must evolve into business consultants who integrate AI-driven workflows rather than just…
People in this episode
Host: Vince Menzione
Guest: Oguo Atuanya
Topics covered
- Managed Service Providers
- Managed Intelligence Providers
- AI-driven orchestration
- business consultancy
- scalable agent-tech organizations
- life-cycle management
- measurable ROI
Keywords
- MSP
- MIP
- AI
- automation
- security
- business consultancy
- Pax8
- SMB
- life-cycle management
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Pax8, Ultimate Partner, Small and Medium Business (SMB)
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