MES Computing

The midmarket often faces a ‘proof gap’ problem with AI projects.

Midmarket IT leaders are being forced to modernize -- and quickly. VMware pricing changes, AI pressure, and nonstop security threats have collapsed timelines for midmarket IT teams and have forced decisions that can’t wait for the next platform refresh. At #MES Spring Summit 2026, Daniel Lehman, Jason Frame, and Chance Irvine, in conversation with Gartner VP Analyst Mike Cisek, shared how they navigated that reality: • Using Nutanix AHV as a stepping stone to Azure • Pausing AI to get serious about data classification and risk • Rethinking MSPs to move faster without bloating teams Here’s what modernization looks like now and what midmarket leaders are learning the hard way: 🔗 https://okt.to/B5cE8H

What IT modernization looks like now: shorter timelines, harder trade-offs and less room for wishful thinking.

Happy Friday. Tech isn’t slowing down just because you’re ready for the weekend. MES Computing gives midmarket leaders the intel, context, and strategic edge to stay ahead of the chaos waiting in your inbox on Monday, and the surprises that hit all week long. Our content built for IT leaders who want more than buzzwords. Insight that informs. Analysis that challenges. Coverage that keeps you connected to emerging tech, industry shifts, and direct access to #MES research and events. Subscribe today 👉 https://okt.to/zVl5Nr. If you’re serious about the future of midmarket tech, MES Computing delivers the clarity and credibility you need. #MESComputing #MidmarketIT

🚨 LAST CHANCE! Today is the final day to submit an application for our #MESMidmarket100 Awards. Deadline: Today, Friday, May 1 at 11:59pm PDT. Apply now: https://okt.to/IoUMqc. These awards honor forward-thinking technology providers that support the growth, innovation, and success of #midmarket organizations.

The cloud provider wiped the backups, too.

MES Computing is now on WhatsApp. Our goals: • Deliver curated midmarket IT content in a concise daily format • Meet leaders where they already are and help them cut through the noise For trusted midmarket intelligence, this is a channel worth following: https://okt.to/8SO3zD. #MESComputing #MES #MidmarketIT

IT leaders are struggling to buy AI without getting trapped in vendor storytelling and having to dig into their own budget when hype doesn’t translate to reality. During his keynote at this week’s Midsize Enterprise Summit Spring in Houston, Mike Cisek, VP analyst at Gartner, said the difference between momentum and wasted spend is simple: a formal RFP process that forces requirements, outcomes and ROI into the conversation. Tom Allen, editor of our sister publication, Computing, has the details from Cisek’s keynote: #MES

Workforce anxiety around AI is real, and everyone’s feeling it. C-suite executives, investors, and other stakeholders are pushing AI use in a frenetic state of FOMO, eager to reap the ROI and streamlined business processes that it promises. During an executive session at this week’s Midsize Enterprise Summit Spring in Houston, Herman Brown, chief information officer at the district attorney’s office in San Francisco, offered advice to midmarket CIOs on taking a leadership role in quelling AI anxiety in their organizations. MES Computing Senior Editor Samara Lynn breaks down the key takeaways from the session:

A big congratulations to the finalists and winners of the XCellence Awards at #MES Spring 2026! 🎉 🏆 The caliber of innovation and leadership on display was remarkable, making the celebration one to remember and reinforcing just how vibrant and fast‑moving the #midmarket continues to be in the IT world. Adler Advisors Arctic Wolf AVATAR Managed Services Backblaze CrowdStrike CyberFOX Eaton JBS Dev | Strategic Technology Experts JumpCloud Lenovo NetCov NinjaOne Omada by TP-Link Opkalla Sophos The Gnar Company ThreatLocker zLinq Congrats to the Best in Show Winner ThreatLocker ⭐