Acronis has launched Acronis True Image 2026, a new version of its integrated backup and security software for consumers and small businesses. This release introduces built-in patch management for Windows, simplifying the process of applying security updates and enhancing protection against emerging cyber threats such as ransomware and identity theft. The software offers automated background updates for security patches and alerts for manual installations of third-party updates, addressing the latest vulnerabilities.
GoTo and Nexthink have announced a new partnership aimed at enhancing IT support and digital employee experience management for enterprises and global system integrators. This collaboration integrates GoTo’s LogMeIn Rescue with the Nexthink Infinity platform, allowing IT teams to streamline workflows and minimize downtime by embedding AI-powered remote support directly into Nexthink’s insights platform. As client expectations for uptime and productivity rise, traditional toolsets often fall short, requiring multiple disconnected platforms that delay problem resolution. The integration enables a shift from reactive to proactive IT support, with Nexthink’s analytics identifying performance issues in real time, while LogMeIn Rescue provides immediate resolution from the same interface.
Slack has launched a new tool called Channel Expert, an artificial intelligence agent designed to enhance team communication and efficiency. This always-on assistant helps small businesses optimize their operations by providing instant answers to frequently asked questions and managing routine inquiries, reducing the need for employees to wait for human responses. The Channel Expert is integrated directly into Slack channels and can connect to various data sources, making it easy for channel managers to set up without requiring IT support. For example, teams at Salesforce reported significant reductions in bottlenecks, with automated responses handling routine inquiries like password resets, thereby decreasing ticket volume. However, small business owners should prepare for potential challenges, including team readiness for AI integration and ensuring that over-reliance on the technology does not diminish employees’ problem-solving skills.
IBM is discontinuing its System z Personal Development Tool for personal computers, shifting developers to a cloud-hosted environment for development and testing. The company will cease marketing the tool as a standalone product effective December 31, 2025, and all support will be withdrawn one year later. The IBM System z Personal Development Tool allows developers to emulate IBM Z mainframe processors on Linux PCs, creating a small System z instance for development purposes. IBM is replacing it with a hosted on-demand program for independent software vendors, set to launch on October 31, 2025, which will provide dynamic access to IBM z/OS environments.
Why do we care?
Vendors are stepping on each other’s turf again. Acronis added patch management into its backup product. Slack’s pushing an AI bot to handle routine IT questions. IBM is shutting down a local dev tool and forcing developers to its hosted service. And GoTo plus Nexthink are mashing analytics into remote support for the enterprise.
Every one of these moves eats into MSP territory. Backup now patches Windows. Slack now handles ticket deflection. Even collaboration tools are doing IT work. If you’re selling “we patch your systems” or “we answer your IT questions,” you’ve got a problem—your vendors are doing it too.
So what do you do? Lean into integration. Customers don’t just need patching—they need it done across all apps, documented, and compliant. They don’t just need chatbots—they need governance and someone to make sure it’s right. And they sure don’t want fifteen tools that don’t talk to each other. That’s where MSPs win—simplifying the mess, making it work, and proving the business outcome.