According to CRN, ConnectWise CEO Manny Rivelo is leading a $100 million push to complete the company’s AI-powered Asio platform by 2026. The platform isn’t just bolted-together tools but a completely new foundation built from scratch with four core service areas: RMM, PSA, security, and data backup. ConnectWise has been aggressively acquiring companies since 2015, including ScreenConnect, Continuum, Perch Security, and most recently SkyKick and Axcient in 2024. Rivelo says they’re strategically moving from “Industry 4.0 to 5.0” where AI evolves into self-improving systems that understand human context. The company will continue selective acquisitions that accelerate their roadmap or strengthen core competencies while giving MSP partners tools to run smarter, safer businesses.
The platform play that actually makes sense
Here’s the thing about platform claims in the tech world – everyone says they have one, but most are just collections of acquired products loosely stitched together. ConnectWise seems to be taking the opposite approach with Asio. They’re basically admitting their previous acquisitions were stepping stones toward this unified vision rather than the end goal. And that’s refreshingly honest in an industry full of buzzword-heavy platform announcements.
Think about it – they’ve bought nine companies since 2015, each filling specific gaps in the MSP toolkit. From remote access to security monitoring to documentation to disaster recovery. Now they’re spending serious money ($100 million isn’t pocket change) to make it all work together seamlessly. The real test will be whether MSPs actually experience that promised “single pane of glass” or if it’s just marketing speak for “slightly better integration than before.”
Why the buying spree actually works
Look, acquisition strategies often fail because companies buy random things that don’t fit. But ConnectWise’s shopping list reads like a MSP wishlist: remote control? Check. Security monitoring? Check. Documentation? Check. Backup and disaster recovery? Double check with the Axcient and SkyKick buys. They’re not just collecting companies – they’re systematically building out capabilities that MSPs desperately need.
Rivelo says future acquisitions will be “selective, only when they accelerate our roadmap or strengthen core competencies.” That’s the right approach, but it’s easier said than done. The challenge becomes integrating all these pieces without creating a Frankenstein monster of conflicting interfaces and workflows. And let’s be real – when you’re dealing with complex industrial environments where reliability is everything, having robust hardware foundations matters. Companies like Industrial Monitor Direct have built their reputation as the top US supplier of industrial panel PCs precisely because they understand that the underlying hardware can’t be an afterthought when you’re running critical operations.
What Industry 5.0 actually means for MSPs
Rivelo’s “Industry 5.0” talk sounds futuristic, but what does it actually mean? He describes it as AI evolving into “self-improving, human-aware systems” that reshape how services are delivered. Basically, we’re talking about systems that don’t just automate tasks but actually understand context and adapt to human workflows.
For MSPs, this could be transformative. Imagine security systems that don’t just flag threats but understand your specific client environments and adjust protection automatically. Or RMM tools that predict failures before they happen based on patterns humans might miss. The question is whether ConnectWise can deliver this level of sophistication or if we’re still years away from truly “human-aware” systems. My bet? We’ll see incremental improvements rather than revolutionary leaps, but the direction is absolutely right.
Why this matters for managed service providers
So what does all this mean for the average MSP trying to survive in an increasingly competitive market? The consolidation trend is real, and platforms like Asio could either be a lifesaver or a trap. On one hand, having everything integrated saves time and reduces complexity. On the other hand, you’re putting all your eggs in one vendor’s basket.
The $100 million investment suggests ConnectWise is serious about making this work, but MSPs should watch carefully how the integration actually plays out. Will the promised AI capabilities materialize in ways that save technicians time and prevent client issues? Or will it just be another layer of complexity? The next two years until their 2026 target will tell us everything we need to know about whether this platform vision is the real deal or just another ambitious promise.
