New channel standards for managed IT solution providers released

CompTIA has launched the second of its 'channel standards' aimed at improving consistency and quality of IT service delivery across the channel, with the latest offering aimed at managed IT solution providers.

The industry body says the CompTIA Channel Standard for Managed IT Solution Providers is designed for companies delivering technology via managed services and provides a checklist of policies and practices that can help them raise the quality of services they offer and the value provided to customers.

The Channel Standard for Managed IT Solution Providers includes 'intelligent' business practice fundamentals across areas including business generation, delivery and operations, customer relations, business management and business direction.

The new standards, which are free to both CompTIA members and non-members, follow CompTIA's March release of its first standards offering for IT solution providers. The standards are designed to provide the channel with blueprints for best practices in order to lead to a 'stronger, healthier industry as a whole'.

The Channel Standard for Managed IT Solutions Providers follows a CompTIA survey which shows that 61% of small technology companies, 47% of mid-sized companies and 52% of large companies are expecting to see high revenue growth out of their managed services business in the coming two years.

Kelly Ricker, CompTIA senior vice president, events and education, says the positive business outlook should be welcome news for the MSP community.

"We encourage MSPs to use our channel standards as a guide to help them conduct an honest, thoughtful evaluation of their business' readiness to take advantage of new opportunities," Ricker says.

CompTIA says it will be introducing additional standards throughout the year, focused on managed print services, cybersecurity and cloud computing.