Pax8 Introduces The Era Of Managed Intelligence In Its 2025 Research Report: The Agentic Inflection Point
The report outlines the emergence of agentic systemsAI-powered agents capable of autonomous action and reasoningand their transformative impact on the global SMB economy.
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.
Key Findings from the Report
The Agentic Inflection Point
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.
Four Levels of Agents
Pax8's research has identified four distinct levels of AI agent functionality, each representing a significant leap in autonomy and business impact.
Chatbots: Generative tools that respond to direct human prompts and queries through the use of AI and rules.
Assistants: Enhanced chain-of-thought reasoning to decompose complex goals into actionable steps, make decisions based on contextual information and execute multiple operations in sequence.
Digital Labor: Operating independently across multiple systems and tools with minimal human oversight.
Digital Workforce: Coordinated systems of multiple agents working together, specialising, collaborating and distributing work to accomplish complex objectives at scale.
The Rise of the Managed Intelligence Provider
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.
The Agentic Supply Chain
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.
Monetisation Models
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:
Per Agent (FTE Model): Pricing aligned with the human equivalent they augment or replace.
Per Action (Consumption-based): Usage-based pricing is tied directly to the value delivered.
Per Workflow (Process-based): Workflow-based pricing that captures the value of end-to-end automation.
Per Outcome (Value-based): A sophisticated pricing model tying compensation directly to measurable business outcomes.
The AI-Built SMB
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Techday NZ
08-08-2025
- Techday NZ
Lindsay Zwart steps in to lead APAC for Pax8 amid leadership shift
Lindsay Zwart has been appointed as Executive Vice President and General Manager for APAC at Pax8. Zwart, who previously held senior positions with Vodafone, Microsoft, and IBM, assumes responsibility for all aspects of Pax8's business strategy and operations in the Asia-Pacific region. She reports directly to Nick Heddy, President and Chief Commerce Officer at Pax8. Her appointment comes as the company seeks to scale its cloud commerce operations and broaden market reach within APAC. Zwart brings nearly twenty years of experience in technology sector leadership roles, including digital transformation and enterprise solutions, both in APAC and internationally. Leadership transition The new appointment coincides with a shift in roles for Chris Sharp, who transitions from his previous focus on local business to a newly created position as Senior Vice President of Business Development on a global scale. Sharp will now report to Craig Donovan, Chief Experience Officer at Pax8. In his new role, Sharp will be responsible for identifying and leading strategic opportunities, such as partnerships, new market entries, and other initiatives designed to support organisational growth. Sharp's previous efforts have centred on the launch and expansion of Pax8 in Australia and New Zealand, helping to drive momentum in the region over the last four years. The company states that this realignment leverages Sharp's expertise in strategic planning and operational leadership, extending his impact across Pax8's worldwide business strategy. Nick Heddy commented on the company's focus and leadership changes. "Lindsay's appointment signals our unwavering commitment to the Asia-Pacific market and our confidence in the region's tremendous potential. This announcement also marks a strategic realignment as Pax8 prepares for its next growth phase in the APAC region in which Lindsay will work closely alongside global leaders, including Chris Sharp and Ryan Walsh. Her proven leadership, strategic vision, and operational excellence will be instrumental in unlocking new opportunities and accelerating our growth trajectory. I am confident that under her leadership, our APAC operations will reach unprecedented levels of success." Zwart's experience Prior to joining Pax8, Lindsay Zwart held the position of Chief Enterprise Officer at Vodafone New Zealand. There, she led digital transformation initiatives by guiding local enterprises in adopting 5G, IoT, and cloud technologies. Previously, Zwart worked at Microsoft, where her roles included US Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of the Cloud and Enterprise business, General Manager for Azure in the US, and overseeing Dynamics, SMB, and Partner Channel Operations. She also held leadership roles at IBM. Commenting on her new role, Zwart stated, "Pax8 is a proven force in the industry with its innovative Marketplace driving change and laying the foundation for MSP success. I look forward to bringing my experience in tech and with this region to Pax8 to continue the exciting growth trajectory the company has been on since we launched here in 2022. The region is perfectly positioned for success in the MSP space with strong leadership, enablement, and resources provided via the Pax8 Marketplace. It's an exciting time to join the company to continue to make a positive impact on the partner community!" Zwart's remit includes working with the existing APAC team to identify growth opportunities and strengthen partner engagement across the region. She will also coordinate closely with the company's global leadership team, including Chris Sharp and Ryan Walsh. Business development outlook Sharp's new global business development role is intended to focus on creating new partnerships and expanding Pax8's geographical presence. His appointment builds on his four-year tenure leading local momentum and will see him apply his experience to advancing organisational strategy on an international scale. Pax8 operates a cloud commerce Marketplace that serves managed service providers throughout the region and beyond, supporting business growth and product adoption across its ecosystem.
Techday NZ
17-07-2025
- Techday NZ
Check Point launches Quantum Spark 2500 firewalls for SMB security
Check Point Software Technologies has introduced the Quantum Spark 2500 series, a new firewall product family tailored for small and medium-sized businesses and managed service providers. With the reported rise in cyberattacks targeting smaller organisations, Check Point Research notes that SMBs experienced a 61% year-over-year increase in cyberattacks, which exceeds the rate of increase observed in larger enterprises. This comes as cloud and SaaS bandwidth demands have also more than doubled over the past two years. With many SMBs lacking dedicated IT teams, there is growing reliance on managed service providers to deal with these increasingly complex security environments. Security and connectivity The Quantum Spark 2500 series is presented as an all-in-one solution offering several new features. These include built-in Wi-Fi 7, 5G connectivity, SD-WAN capabilities, and AI-driven threat prevention. These appliances are part of Check Point's Infinity architecture and are designed to support fast, secure, and resilient connectivity. "The Quantum Spark 2500 series deliver a critical combination of security, speed, and simplicity. With AI-powered prevention, next-generation connectivity, and centralised cloud management, it empowers SMBs to scale securely without the burden of complex operations." This statement was made by Shahar Divon, Director of Worldwide MSSP and SMB Sales at Check Point Software Technologies. Pete Finalle, Research Manager, IDC Security and Trust, commented on the difficulties faced by SMBs in the current threat environment. He noted, "Small and medium sized businesses are faced with an increasingly sophisticated threat-landscape, without the resources and dedicated personnel of larger enterprises. While managed service providers (MSPs) can help with deployment and management, they require security tools which solve modern security problems efficiently and effectively." Finalle added, "Check Point's new Quantum Spark 2500 gateways and updated cloud-based security management offer high-performance threat prevention, accelerated connectivity with Wi-Fi 7, 5G, and SD-WAN, and protection for IoT devices. With multi-tier, multi-tenant management and zero-touch provisioning, Check Point is equipping MSPs with purpose-built tools that are ideal for protecting any size SMB from evolving threats." Key features The Quantum Spark 2500 series includes several core features: Wi-Fi 7 and 5G built in: Embedded Wi-Fi 7 and dual-SIM 5G support enable speeds up to 2.4 times faster than previous models and simplify remote access. SD-WAN functionality is included to deliver stable connectivity for organisations with cloud-first operations. Embedded Wi-Fi 7 and dual-SIM 5G support enable speeds up to 2.4 times faster than previous models and simplify remote access. SD-WAN functionality is included to deliver stable connectivity for organisations with cloud-first operations. AI-powered threat prevention: The appliances use ThreatCloud AI technology to achieve a claimed 99.9% malware prevention rate, including for ransomware, phishing, and zero-day exploits. Reported firewall throughput reaches up to 2.7 Gbps. The appliances use ThreatCloud AI technology to achieve a claimed 99.9% malware prevention rate, including for ransomware, phishing, and zero-day exploits. Reported firewall throughput reaches up to 2.7 Gbps. Managed Application Protection (MAP): This feature identifies and controls shadow IT and high-risk software-as-a-service usage for better visibility, compliance, and data security. This feature identifies and controls shadow IT and high-risk software-as-a-service usage for better visibility, compliance, and data security. Built-in resilience: Dual power supplies, dual ISP ports, and optional clustering options increase availability and business continuity during outages. Dual power supplies, dual ISP ports, and optional clustering options increase availability and business continuity during outages. Zero-touch provisioning and cloud management: Integration with Check Point's Infinity Portal provides remote provisioning, real-time alerts, multi-tenant dashboards, and supports streamlined operations for service providers. Integration and flexibility The Quantum Spark 2500 series is part of the Check Point Infinity Platform. This supports hybrid mesh security across networks, cloud, and endpoints, aligning with the firm's open garden approach. The appliances are designed to be interoperable with third-party platforms, giving users more choice and avoiding vendor lock-in. The Quantum Spark 2500 series appliances are now available for order through Check Point's official channels. Follow us on: Share on:
Techday NZ
12-06-2025
- Techday NZ
Umbrellar wins Pax8 MVP award for APAC cloud infrastructure
Umbrellar Technology Group has received the 2025 Pax8 MVP Infrastructure Award for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. The award was announced at Beyond 2025, an event for Pax8 partners that took place in Denver, recognising companies that have demonstrated significant revenue growth, advanced cloud adoption, and contributed to the global success of their clients. Award recognition Umbrellar Technology Group's win stands out among 34 award recipients, reflecting its achievements in supporting the cloud infrastructure needs of customers across New Zealand and the wider APAC region. "We are incredibly honoured to receive the Pax8 MVP Infrastructure Award at Beyond 2025 in Denver, Colorado. This recognition reflects the unwavering commitment of our team to delivering cloud solutions that empower customers, accelerate growth and enable an AI future across Aotearoa and beyond. We're proud to be recognized by Pax8 as a leader in shaping the future of infrastructure innovation," said Ian Hassell, Chief Executive Officer, Umbrellar Technology Group. The award highlights the role Umbrellar Technology Group has played in facilitating digital transformation and supporting the adoption of cloud technologies within a competitive market. Pax8 partner achievements According to Pax8, the Beyond 2025 awards programme is designed to showcase the contributions of their partners to technological transformation and business impact within their respective markets. "We are inspired by our partners' innovation and drive when it comes to supporting their customers with leading-edge cloud solutions and now AI initiatives. We are honoured to award our partner's ongoing efforts to empower customers with technology that transforms business and ultimately drives customer growth," said Lane Brannan, General Manager and Executive Vice President of Pax8 Americas. The focus of the awards this year extended to companies who are not only delivering cloud platforms but also providing customers with support for artificial intelligence projects, reflecting evolving industry priorities. Conference context Beyond 2025 spanned three days and provided Pax8 partners with the opportunity for immersive learning through keynote presentations, breakout sessions, and networking. Industry leaders offered insights on current business and technology trends, and 34 awards in total were presented to partner organisations. Umbrellar Technology Group's inclusion as the MVP Infrastructure Award winner for the APAC region positions the company as a notable contributor to cloud adoption and infrastructure solutions. Impact in New Zealand and beyond Umbrellar Technology Group, headquartered in New Zealand, delivers scalable infrastructure and cloud management services, working closely with partners such as Microsoft. The company has expanded its services to support artificial intelligence enablement, reflecting the digital priorities of organisations across Aotearoa and in the APAC region. The recognition by Pax8 comes as the IT sector continues to prioritise security, flexibility, and growth through cloud adoption for small and medium-sized businesses. Pax8, which connects partners, vendors, and businesses globally, has described the collaboration with its nearly 40,000 managed service provider partners as integral to driving solution consumption and customer growth worldwide. Follow us on: Share on:
