As managed service providers mature, add more services to their portfolios, manage more devices and more aspects of their customers' IT environments and begin to prepare customers for more of a cloud-based environment, here are some emerging vendors to consider.

All of these companies are helping to pave the way for the future of the managed service space by providing more integrated and more complex solutions to partners.

6fusion’s Utility Computing6 software platform allows MSPs to build servers and scale applications for public, private, community or hybrid cloud solutions with access to its iNode Network, a global group of public data centers.

Asigra’s Cloud Backup platform was designed for MSPs and offers backup, recovery and restore (BURR) solutions featuring an agentless architecture, deduplication techniques, FIPS 140-2 Certified data security and APIs for tighter integration and customization.

CentraStage’s cloud-based remote monitoring, management and IT automation software is used by service providers to audit, configure, monitor, alert, support and create reports on assets exceptions and activity for any end user device.

Doyenz recently launched its rCloud Disaster-Recovery-as-a-Service solution for MSPs that can decrease the time to replicate and restore a virtual VMware ESX environment to less than 15 minutes.

A customized cloud services provider that specializes in Windows applications, Enterhost focuses on cloud desktop and private cloud services, disaster recovery and colocation solutions, as well as dedicated servers, for service providers worldwide.

Formerly a solution provider itself, Independence IT is transitioning to an indirect model to deliver its Instant Freedom Desktop and Total Freedom Desktop solutions with storage and backup, e-mail and other cloud features to customers.

Featuring managed IT services and network management, the company’s itControl Suite, which includes audit, security and utility components, is a hardware- appliance-based solution that features equipment lifecycle management and green energy management.

Roaring Penguin specializes in developing antispam, e-mail and virus protection software for educational institutions, corporations, hosting providers, ISPs and SMBs through its CanIt portfolio of solutions.

ScienceLogic’s EM7 IT Management System is an appliance-based solution that incorporates portal branding and customization, bandwidth reports, virtualization monitoring, integrated events and notification workflow for MSPs to build their cloud solution portfolios.

Servoyant’s unified network management system is cloud-based or appliance-based, with centralized network management and monitoring tools to help MSPs with rapid deployment and customizable configurations in a single platform.