What 5 Solution Provider CEOs See As The Biggest Market Opportunity In 2024

We asked CEOs from top solution providers where they see the biggest market opportunity in 2024, and it’s not just AI.

While artificial intelligence seems to be the biggest market opportunity this year, other trends like cybersecurity and everything-as-a-service are standouts that solution providers continue to invest in.

As part CRN’s 2024 CEO Outlook project, we asked executives from MSPs, solution providers, vendors and distributors what market trends they’re watching in 2024.

“AI and its data-driven infrastructure will completely change the technology market,” said Rich Fennessy, CEO of Irvine, Calif.-based solution provider Trace3.

Trace3 is doubling down on data analytics as Fennessy sees data, security and cloud converging which leads to customers thinking about their data strategy including where to keep their data and how to secure it.

Others see AI and its benefits in other areas such as cybersecurity.

“AI will be the most impactful and transformational technology of all time, but the complexities of today's rapidly evolving landscape give organizations more options and risk considerations than ever before,” said Jim Kavanaugh, co-founder and CEO of St. Louis, MO-based World Wide Technology. “AI can be an intelligent solution and a preventative capability, but it is not standalone.”

Beyond AI, other CEOs see customer experience, everything-as-a-service and different verticals as a growing opportunity for the channel.

Check out what five CEOs had to say about the biggest market opportunities in 2024.

Nyasha Tunduwani

Real Impact Technology Consulting, CEO

Seattle, WA

The explosion in AI, automation and data presents an incredible opportunity. We are excited to empower our clients enabling them to emerge as industry leaders by rapidly adopting these technologies. Our focus on governance, adoption and security for these technologies represents our largest market opportunity in the US and Brazil.

CR Howdyshell

Advizex, CEO

Independence, Ohio

In 2024, Advizex is enhancing our solutions for healthcare, public sector, retail, and manufacturing verticals due to customer with our everything-as-a-service (aaS) approach. We recognize the immense potential in leveraging technology to revolutionize these industries. By specializing in everything-as-a-service, we're uniquely positioned to provide tailored solutions that fit customer needs with technical solutions centered around AI, Automation, and Analytics.

Josh Dinneen

Blue Mantis, CEO

Portmouth, NH

We see two primary areas that will continue to be the strongest sources of pent-up demand by clients. First is in delivering robust and holistic cybersecurity services that help them anticipate new and emerging threats and protect their growing attack surfaces. The second is in helping clients implement AI for innovation. We are beyond the experimentation phase with AI. Clients are increasingly looking to develop business-critical applications and they are looking for guidance on how to innovate with AI to automate and become more efficient, increase their velocity and market segment competitiveness.

Rich Fennessy

Trace3, CEO

Irvine, Calif.

AI and its data-driven infrastructure will completely change the technology market. The way our clients do business will evolve, and their need for consulting firms, specifically Trace3 given our unique acumen in innovation, emerging tech, and converged solutions, will be greater than ever before.

Jim Kavanaugh

World Wide Technology, Co-founder and CEO

St. Louis, MO

As we look ahead to 2024, the most significant market opportunity we see lies in empowering our customers to unlock the full potential of AI. AI will be the most impactful and transformational technology of all time, but the complexities of today's rapidly evolving landscape give organizations more options and risk considerations than ever before. AI can be an intelligent solution and a preventative capability, but it is not standalone. With digital transformation and the more advanced an organization's IT infrastructure and strategy becomes, the greater the need for a seamless data and cloud strategy, and the greater the need for a proactive and comprehensive approach to cybersecurity.