This IDC study provides a review and analysis of the trends around how small and medium-sized business (SMB) professional services are being supported, sold, and delivered, and examines the future impact of these trends on the Canadian IT services market. This study also covers the growing integration between vendor services organizations and channel partners and includes an overview of the activities of three key vendors in this area: IBM, Microsoft, and Cisco.

"A shift is under way in channel strategy that has the capacity to change how SMB professional services are supported, sold, and delivered. This shift can create new and expanded market opportunities if vendors align their services organizations well with current market trends and partner needs." ? Paul Edwards, director, Software Partnering and Alliances