MSP Chat

Erick and Rich discuss CORE, a new offering from Integris that combines traditional monitoring and management with AI services, as well as four ways MSPs can waste less time on meetings. Then they’re joined by Mark Scott and Joel Abramson of Top Down Ventures for a venture capital perspective on investing and M&A in managed services today. And finally, one last thing: Even ChatGPT loves Snickers bars.
 
Discussed in this episode:
Managed BPO Is the New Managed Services
Top Down Outliers Blog - May 2026
Top Down Outliers Blog - June 2026
Top Down Outliers Blog - August 2026
The Top Down Outliers podcast
Snickers Hungr.AI
 
Some guests on this podcast are clients of Channel Mastered. Compensation plays no part in their appearance or the content of the discussion unless the episode they appear on is a “bonus episode” explicitly labeled as sponsored.

Erick and Rich discuss the MSP opportunity in “digital workers” and the potential drawbacks worth considering before diving in, as well as techniques for making your business faster and more effective by granting decision making authority at every level. Then they’re joined by Ryan Walsh of Pax8 for an in-depth exploration of that company’s recently published white paper on The Agentic Workforce Economy. And finally, one last thing: how an Italian scamster created the eight—and worst—wonder of the world.
 
Discussed in this episode:
Pax8 Report: AI Breaking Historic Link Between Revenue Growth and Headcount for SMBs
Pax8 Research Finds Small Businesses All-in on AI with 2 in 3 Projecting Stronger Competitive Composure
Are Digital Workers the AI Strategy MSPs Have Been Looking For?
‘A sucker born every minute’: The man who duped tourists with a fake Greek amphitheater
 
Some guests on this podcast are clients of Channel Mastered. Compensation plays no part in their appearance or the content of the discussion unless the episode they appear on is a “bonus episode” explicitly labeled as sponsored.

Erick and Rich discuss Syncro’s big bet on Claude, ChatGPT, and other chatbots becoming the MSP’s RMM/PSA interface of choice plus three tips for ensuring every interaction with clients builds rather than erodes trust. Then they’re joined by David Schwartz, CEO of Pia, for an AI-native vendor’s point of view on the SaaSpocalypse, AI pricing, vibe coding, and more. And finally, one last thing: Two unbelievably bad examples of billing department idiocy.
 
Discussed in this episode:
Syncro Goes Native
David Schwartz blog post
Pia ChatGPT webinar
Couple initially told to pay cancellation fee for cable, internet after wildfire destroys home
Woman dies, comes back to life, gets parking ticket
 
Some guests on this podcast are clients of Channel Mastered. Compensation plays no part in their appearance or the content of the discussion unless the episode they appear on is a “bonus episode” explicitly labeled as sponsored.

Erick and Rich discuss the thorny challenges MSPs face on AI pricing as well as strategies for never, ever sending clients an invoice that surprises them. Then they’re joined by Hexi Xiao, CEO of Bumblebee, for an experience- and expertise-based conversation about why AI agents are powerful and why they’re also not the cure-all answer to every business pain. And finally, one last thing: Why the next shrub you drive past may be surveilling you.
 
Discussed in this episode:
MSPs Are Drifting Toward an AI Pricing Niagara
New Jersey officers dress up as shrubs to catch distracted drivers on their phones
 
Some guests on this podcast are clients of Channel Mastered. Compensation plays no part in their appearance or the content of the discussion unless the episode they appear on is a “bonus episode” explicitly labeled as sponsored.

Live from GTIA’s 2026 ChannelCon event in San Diego, Erick and Rich discuss the importance of GTIA’s new regulatory and standards initiatives, as well as why MSPs should stay focused on the fundamentals despite constant technological change. Then they’re joined by GTIA’s Dan Wensley and MJ Shoer for their take on GTIA’s unique role in the channel and where the association plans to train its considerable resources going forward. And finally, one last thing: dogs that hang ten.
 
Discussed in this episode:
GTIA Advances Trusted AI, Strengthens Self-Governance, and Expands Global Community
Dogs ride waves at California’s World Dog Surfing Championships
 
Some guests on this podcast are clients of Channel Mastered. Compensation plays no part in their appearance or the content of the discussion unless the episode they appear on is a “bonus episode” explicitly labeled as sponsored.