2. Channel Builds More Managed Capabilities Around The Cloud

Leading solution providers and distributors began leveraging the cloud in 2016 to provide outsourced managed IT or boost their support around leading public cloud providers.

Insight Enterprises, No. 15 on the 2016 CRN Solution Provider 500, launched an offering in May that allows SMBs to outsource a portion of their IT to Insight so they can focus on core business objectives. The managed cloud offering provides around-the-clock U.S.-based support, mailbox migration services, an expanded administrative dashboard, and IT administration of Microsoft cloud solutions by Insight's experts.

SoftwareOne, No. 14 on the 2016 CRN Solution Provider 500, rolled out transaction, billing, advisory and migration capabilities for Amazon Web Services in November tied to its automated cloud platform.

And Tech Data debuted in October an analytics dashboard on its cloud platform that displays Microsoft Azure consumption and sends notifications when usage exceeds set thresholds.