Pax8 Unveils Vision for Managed Intelligence Providers in the Era of Agentic AI

Pax8's EMEA CEO On Strategic AI Push: 'It's Not About Bolting AI On, It's About Changing' How MSPs Work

'[MSPs in Europe] are forward-thinkers,' says Pax8 EMEA CEO Harald Nuij. 'They're investing in themselves and their transformation. The community aspect plays a huge role. Once one MSP sees value, they talk to another and that ripple effect builds momentum.' Pax8 is making bold, strategic moves across EMEA and is reshaping how MSPs operate in an AI-driven future. At the heart of this transformation is Pax8 EMEA CEO Harald Nuij, who says the company's momentum is the result of Europe-based MSPs looking to adopt AI and transform to keep up with demand. "That sense of urgency is real, and we're seeing that the partners who were already engaged are doubling down," Nuij told CRN. "The community aspect plays a huge role. Once one MSP sees value, they talk to another and that ripple effect builds momentum." Pax8's presence has grown rapidly in the U.K. and the Benelux region (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) with recent investments in Germany and the Nordics (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden). Expansions into Ireland, Denmark, and Switzerland are on the horizon. "We only move into a country when we see the right maturity level in the partner base and are confident we can add value," Nuij said. But Pax8's ambitions go far beyond territory. With AI adoption reshaping the tech landscape, Nuij believes MSPs must evolve or risk falling behind. "If an MSP wants to lead in this new landscape, it's not just about bolting AI on, it's about changing how they work." Looking ahead, Nuij sees success not in revenue metrics but in impact. CRN spoke to Nuij about Pax8's EMEA expansion and how the Greenwood Village, Colorado-based born-in-the-cloud distributor is helping MSPs put agentic AI to use for their clients. What are some of the main drivers behind Pax8's aggressive expansion across the EMEA market? The methodology Pax8 has developed really resonates, especially in Europe. We've built a strong community of MSPs that genuinely want to work with us, many of whom were already thinking along the lines of what we now call the managed intelligence provider framework, even before we had a name for it. [MSPs in Europe] are forward-thinkers. They're investing in themselves and their transformation. The community aspect plays a huge role. Once one MSP sees value, they talk to another and that ripple effect builds momentum. There's also a push-pull dynamic at play. Our vendors are encouraging us to move into new territories because they see the kind of energy and structure we bring to their go-to-market strategy. What regions have shown the most growth in EMEA, and where are you looking to expand next? Pax8 as a brand is still relatively young, but our experience runs deeper due to multiple acquisitions. I was an owner of one of those companies before we joined Pax8. In the U.K., growth has been phenomenal over the past five years. The same goes for the Benelux region. We've also been heavily investing in Germany, and it's starting to pay off. In the Nordics, we've got offices in Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. While we don't have offices everywhere yet, we do work with partners in about 20 other countries. We only move into a country when we see the right maturity level in the partner base and are confident we can add value. We're actually expanding into Ireland, Denmark and Switzerland. So are there any acquisitions or strategic partnerships on the horizon to support that growth? We're always paying close attention to what's happening in the market, especially with shifts in the Microsoft landscape. There's definitely movement. While there's nothing concrete to announce just yet, we are having conversations. When the timing and opportunity align, we might make a move. EMEA is such a broad and diverse region. How do you localize your offerings to meet regulatory and cultural differences? Language and local context matter a lot. We always try to offer support in local languages where it's needed, especially in seller-to-partner relationships. Our Pax8 Academy experts in Latvia might be supporting a partner in Portugal. Why? Because when you're working in IT, the common languages are English and tech. It allows us to scale without needing to build entire support teams in every single country. What are the biggest challenges MSPs in EMEA are facing right now? And are they different from MSPs in the U.S.? I can't speak too much about MSPs stateside, but in Europe the challenges are quite consistent. Talent is the number one issue...finding people with the right mindset and skillset. The second big one? AI. Everyone knows it's coming but most aren't sure how to start. That's where we come in. With the managed intelligence toolkit we announced, MSPs are starting to see the path forward and how AI can change their org structures and hiring plans. We're sparking important conversations right now. Looking ahead, what are Pax8's top priorities in EMEA over the next 12 to 24 months? We'll keep expanding the partner base across Europe and begin entering new countries, as mentioned. But it's not just about volume. We're focused on identifying forward-thinking MSPs, the ones who understand the shift toward an agentic future. These are the MSPs who aren't just adopting AI but changing how they operate because of it. So what are the conversations you're having with MSPs around AI and agentic AI? A big shift is happening. MSPs were waiting, observing. But now, the SMB customers are pushing them to transform. That's the turning point. If an MSP wants to lead in this new landscape, it's not just about bolting AI on, it's about changing how they work. Secure orchestration, ethical usage and strategic adoption are key. We're walking this journey with them, step by step. In the long-term, what does success look like for Pax8 in EMEA? What will tell you you're on the right track? When I joined Pax8 in 2021, I made it my mission to provide the best localized support to any MSP in EMEA. That mission hasn't changed. Success is seeing our partners thrive, watching them grow and evolve alongside us and knowing we helped enable that transformation. When MSPs across the region view us not just as a vendor, but as a true strategic partner that's when we know we're winning. Is there anything else you'd like to highlight, particularly around AI adoption in EMEA? This work is deeply internal as well. We started by teaching our own teams to use tools like [Microsoft] Copilot. One of our key leaders is now our VP of AI adoption. He's out there every day with MSPs showing them how to price, package and scale AI solutions. We're also rethinking our own structure like moving people from administrative roles into AI-powered ones. And the talent we've unleashed through that transition has been inspiring. It's not just transformation, it's reinvention. And that's something we hope our partners can replicate.

Pax8 CEO: MSPs Will Become Managed Intelligence Providers In Agentic AI Era

'This is the revolution,' says Pax8 CEO Scott Chasin. 'Clients don't just want things to work. They want things to work for them. They want intelligence that moves at the speed of their ambition.' As agentic AI comes to market and bleeds into businesses, MSPs are once again evolving and will transform into what Pax8 calls "managed intelligence providers." These providers will offer more than just infrastructure and focus on delivering agentic transformation and business outcomes. "This is the revolution," said Pax8 CEO Scott Chasin (pictured above). "Clients don't just want things to work. They want things to work for them. They want intelligence that moves at the speed of their ambition." Chasin spoke at Pax8's Beyond conference in Denver this week about how managed intelligence will converge AI agents, marketplaces and strategic insight. "Support used to mean yelling, 'Turn it off and back on again' from across the room," he said. "But even strong models need to evolve." [Related: Pax8's Rob Rae On Partner Programs, MSP Documentary And Expansion] In the new model, managed intelligence providers will deploy and manage fleets of AI agents that can adapt and act in real time. They can assess customers for opportunities where AI agents can handle repetitive, slow or expensive tasks. They can also provide an app store or marketplace where businesses hire intelligence rather than download software. And they can build vertical-specific agents to automate workflows and govern networks of autonomous agents instead of endpoints. "This is not about tossing out everything you've built," Chasin said. "It's about evolving your playbook to meet the moment." And there's a different pricing model as well. Instead of pricing per seat, managed intelligence providers can price per agent, action, workflow and outcome. To support the shift, Denver-based Pax8 launched a managed intelligence toolkit that helps MSPs manage, scale and deploy agentic AI solutions for clients. John Douglas, president of Wichita, Kan.-based MSP Pileus Technologies, said MSPs should embrace the agentic AI era and evolve into managed intelligence providers, as he sees AI tools more as an ally than a threat. "As we evolve, it will allow us to use that technology more for our benefit to protect our customers," he told CRN. As Chasin sees businesses undergo a "seismic shift" amid the era of AI agents, his message to MSPs is clear: The future of the MSP industry is not in infrastructure, but in intelligence. "The groundwork is being laid for a world where intelligence is as essential as electricity," he said. "Those who evolve now will lead the economy tomorrow."

The 7 Biggest Announcements From Pax8 Beyond

'This is the dawn of something entirely different, a world powered not by legacy, not by size but by ideas,' says Pax8 CEO Scott Chasin. 'Ideas and agents.' Pax8 laid out a bold vision for the future of MSPs centered around AI, agentic AI and the rise of what it calls the managed intelligence provider. The highlight was Pax8's inaugural research report, "The Agentic Inflection Point," which predicts a shift in how MSPs and SMBs will operate, driven by autonomous AI agents that think, reason and act independently. "In five years, work will be unrecognizable," said Scott Chasin CEO of Greenwood Village, Colorado-based cloud marketplace Pax8 (pictured). "There won't be an app for that, there'll be an agent for that." The announcements were unveiled this week at Pax8's Beyond conference in Denver, which attracted about 3,400 attendees. To help MSPs navigate this transformation, Pax8 introduced a Data and AI Guided Growth Program and an AI toolkit to enable MSPs on their AI journey. Security also got a major boost with cybersecurity vendor Check Point Software Technologies expanding its presence on the Pax8 marketplace offering partners streamlined access to AI-powered cybersecurity tools. "We're all looking for innovation, and I think when MSPs start exploring and getting into the guts of what we're doing from a tech perspective, it is growing," said Rob Rae, corporate VP of community and partner experience at Pax8. "This is the dawn of something entirely different, a world powered not by legacy, not by size but by ideas," Chasin said. "Ideas and agents." From AI toolkits to security upgrades to partner experience, here are the seven biggest announcements from Pax8 Beyond.

Pax8 CEO On Agentic AI: 'Get Moving. Build Your Strategy. Don't Wait.'

The era of agentic AI isn't about a 'far-off future,' Pax8 CEO Scott Chasin tells CRN in an exclusive interview. 'It's already showing up in your timelines, your infrastructure and your market.' The age of agentic AI isn't on the horizon, it's already reshaping the managed services landscape. That's the message Pax8 CEO Scott Chasin conveyed to MSPs while urging them to transform into managed intelligence providers or risk falling behind. "I frame everything through the lens of managed intelligence; that's the foundation," Chasin told CRN in an exclusive interview . "This isn't just about tech upgrades. It's an ecosystem shift. MSPs are becoming gateways to automation and AI-driven transformation." According to Chasin, this shift is both technological and philosophical. "It's a mindset change. Agents are the new labor force. Businesses must build capabilities now to meet a demand that will pull, not be pushed." The future of AI agents is evolving fast, the CEO believes. And while most businesses currently use level-one agents like chatbots, he sees rapid adoption of level-two agents such as task-completing assistants by early 2026. To support this, Denver-based Pax8 launched a managed intelligence toolkit, reinforcing its commitment to its partner ecosystem. "Enablement is our superpower," he said. "Our MCP [Model Context Protocol]-enabled marketplace helps vendors become accessible to AI agents. This transformation isn't just for MSPs, it's for everyone." From managed intelligence to agentic AI, CRN spoke to Chasin in an exclusive interview to discuss what MSPs and vendors must do to harness this next era of transformation and how Pax8 is alongside its partners every step of way.

Pax8 Introduces The Era Of Managed Intelligence In Its 2025 Research Report: The...

SYDNEY, NSW (June 11, 2025) Pax8, the leading cloud commerce Marketplace, today released its inaugural research report, The Agentic Inflection Point: And the Rise of the Managed Intelligence Provider. The comprehensive study defines the future of small-to-midsized business (SMB) operations, transformed by agentic labor and the democratisation of enterprise-level technology access. It also introduces Managed Intelligence, a bold new framework that enables all stakeholders in the technology ecosystem to navigate this transition and thrive in the agentic era. "We are standing at the edge of a monumental new era where agentic systems will redefine how work gets done," said Scott Chasin, CEO of Pax8. "The proliferation of these AI agents will allow SMBs to compete against large enterprises and scale faster than ever, and Managed Intelligence Providers will be key to enabling the technology. The rate at which this technology is advancing makes the next 24 to 36 months critical. MSPs that evolve quickly into the MIP model will be poised to experience long-term success in the new paradigm." The report outlines the emergence of agentic systems -- AI-powered agents capable of autonomous action and reasoning -- and their transformative impact on the global SMB economy. It positions the MIP as the strategic partner that curates, orchestrates and governs intelligent agents: Making the move from simply managing services to truly driving business outcomes for SMBs. The Agentic Inflection Point also serves as a guide for partners ready to embark on their transformation and capitalise on the enormous opportunity in front of them. The report focuses on a new paradigm taking shape, where autonomous software agents collaborate with human expertise to redefine business operations. The fusion of AI and automation reduces the time spent between idea and execution, marking the dawn of the Idea Economy, where businesses are built and run by code, and software agents transition from supporting work to doing it. The result is the democratisation of capability, empowering organisations of all sizes with tools once reserved for industry giants. Pax8's research has identified four distinct levels of AI agent functionality, each representing a significant leap in autonomy and business impact. The Agentic Inflection Point introduces the Managed Intelligence Provider (MIP) - the next evolution of the MSP. The current MSP model is reaching maturity, with the demands of AI-driven businesses, the complexity of autonomous systems and the need to deliver business outcomes. MIPs guide clients through automation-powered reinvention, leveraging agent marketplaces, governance frameworks and curated solution stacks; reinventing how business gets done. According to survey results in the report, 66 Pax8 partners believe they will be seen as strategic business advisors to their clients in two years, a more than seven-fold increase to their current role as an IT support provider. This data proves that the change in the partner's identification from a reactive vendor to a proactive enabler is already in motion. To enable SMBs to compete with enterprise-scale capabilities, the Agentic Supply Chain will emerge, providing the necessary infrastructure to support digital labor. This comprehensive framework of intelligent systems will integrate into business operations and enable marketplaces to become orchestration hubs. In this new supply chain, agents will initiate the buying, selling and scaling of licenses and MIPs will shift from procuring licenses to procuring outcomes. The age of agentic AI will also introduce new pricing models that align with how MIPs generate revenue. Compared to the legacy model where software is sold by the seat, agentic systems will be sold based on the result they deliver. The Agentic Inflection Point identifies four primary business models for capturing value in this new paradigm: The Agentic Inflection Point reveals that 54% of midsize enterprises have already deployed AI, and 83% of high-growth SMBs are actively experimenting with it. As AI capabilities mature, Pax8 predicts the rise of the "AI-Built SMB" -- businesses that are AI-native from day one, embedding generative and agentic technologies into every facet of their operations. These companies automate everything from customer service to product development, favor modular, vertical solutions over legacy software suites and often scale with lean teams. This new breed of SMBs aligns more with the agility and innovation of tech startups than traditional small businesses. To lead the agentic transformation, Pax8 is building the foundation for the agentic economy, including an agent marketplace, a Model Context Protocol integration framework, an agentic orchestration platform, a Managed Intelligence toolkit and much more. By connecting builders (SMBs), enablers (MIPs) and producers (software/cloud vendors), Pax8 aims to create an ecosystem that could shape the next trillion-dollar economy. To download the full report or learn more about Pax8, visit www.pax8.com/managed-intelligence.