The big picture: Several companies in the managed services sector announced earnings, strategic partnerships, and acquisitions in early 2018, indicating a period of expansion and consolidation.

Why it matters: This activity reflects a broader trend of businesses seeking specialized external support for IT infrastructure and operations, impacting demand for skilled technical talent.

Between the lines:

• RigNet reported Q1 2018 earnings and completed acquisitions in the energy sector.
• Green House Data launched managed Azure Cloud Services.
• Morro Data introduced a channel program for managed service providers.

Staffing & HR impact: Increased demand for managed services translates to a higher need for IT professionals, potentially driving up recruitment costs and requiring staffing firms to specialize in cloud and security talent. HR departments may face challenges in retaining in-house IT staff as external options grow.

The bottom line: The managed services market is maturing, creating both opportunities and competitive pressures for talent acquisition.