Backup Vendors Pivot Strategy to Managed Service Providers
Vendors launch new partner programs and interfaces as enterprises increasingly outsource IT operations to MSPs.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Data Centers
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As of October 2026, backup and storage vendors are launching targeted initiatives to cater to managed service providers (MSPs) as more companies shift IT functions to external parties. Data indicates that a significant majority of organizations now rely on MSPs to handle essential infrastructure and security tasks.
Why it matters
Enterprises are increasingly moving toward Opex-based consumption models to avoid the upfront costs of hardware, while a global shortage of specialized IT personnel makes outsourcing necessary. These shifts force legacy storage and backup firms to adapt their delivery models to support the service providers handling this outsourced workload.
A survey of 943 participants, including 56% from companies with 500 or fewer employees, found that 59% of organizations currently outsource at least some IT functions. Specific adoption includes 21% using MSPs for backup, 19% for cloud infrastructure, and 17% for security and network monitoring.
The players
Kaseya
This company is a prominent provider of IT management software for managed service providers and internal IT teams.
AvePoint
This organization specializes in data management and governance solutions for Microsoft 365 and cloud environments.
XenData
This firm provides digital archiving and data storage management software for large-scale enterprise environments.
Patrick Pulvermueller
He is the chief executive officer of Acronis, having taken over the role from company founder Serguei Beloussov.
Arcserve
This company offers data protection and recovery software solutions and completed a major merger with StorageCraft.
The details
Technology companies such as AvePoint and XenData have introduced new partner programs and S3 interfaces specifically designed for MSPs to streamline the delivery of archive and backup services. This follows recent industry consolidation trends, including the February merger of Arcserve and StorageCraft and leadership changes at firms like Acronis.
Timeline
2021: Kaseya published its IT Operations Survey.
February: Arcserve completed its merger with StorageCraft.
June: The merger between AvePoint and Apex Technology Acquisition Corporation closed.
October 2026: AvePoint and XenData launched their new MSP initiatives.
The Tech Race
This pivot reflects a broader shift toward the Opex model of IT infrastructure, replacing traditional upfront capital investments with service-based agreements. It marks an industry-wide transition where vendors must now compete for the loyalty of service providers rather than just individual end-users.
Small business owners may find that outsourcing IT maintenance allows them to access enterprise-grade security and backup tools without managing complex hardware in-house. However, companies must now carefully vet the service-level agreements offered by their MSPs as these providers increasingly become the primary gatekeepers of enterprise data.
The takeaway
The rise of managed service providers is fundamentally changing how businesses procure and maintain their digital infrastructure. Organizations should focus on identifying which specific IT functions are critical to retain in-house while delegating routine maintenance to third-party experts.
Further reading
For more information on the infrastructure shift, visit the Data Centers section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TechTarget.
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