The merger of Yorktel and Kinly is more than a strategic transaction - it’s a clear response to the evolving demands of global enterprise customers. As Fortune 500 businesses shift away from engaging local or national service providers, the ProAV industry finds itself at a crossroads: adapt to the new era of globally unified, scalable managed services, or risk irrelevance.
Opinion: A New Era of Global Managed Service Providers
From Integration to Transformation
Both Yorktel and Kinly have long operated as enterprise collaboration specialists. Their merger creates a formidable global entity with 1,600 employees across 27 locations, serving 2,500+ customers. This scale is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity. Today’s enterprise clients expect ISO-certified, AI-powered managed services that span continents and deliver consistent, secure, and proactive support.
The days of relying on local integrators for global rollouts and services are over. What’s needed now is a global service catalogue – covering everything from AV lifecycle management to remote monitoring and on-site support – with maximum IT security baked in.
AI: The Catalyst for Consolidation
The pressure to consolidate is being driven by more than just scale – it’s being accelerated by AI. As Yorktel CEO Ken Scaturro aptly puts it, we’re entering “the next wave of agentic transformation.” AI is no longer a buzzword; it’s the backbone of smarter, more intuitive workplace experiences. But AI expertise is scarce and expensive, and most regional and national integrators simply can’t compete.
Enterprise customers now expect intelligent automation, predictive maintenance, and simplified user experiences – all delivered through AI-enhanced platforms. The investment required to meet these expectations is massive, and only globally positioned MSPs can deliver at scale.
IT-Giants Enter the Arena
It’s no surprise that major IT service providers of the likes as Econocom, CDW, ATEA, and Computacenter are entering the ProAV space. With billions in revenue and mature managed service infrastructures, they’re well-equipped to offer end-to-end workplace and digital signage solutions. Their presence further raises the bar for traditional AV integrators.
The Shift to Managed Services Is Permanent
The industry is undergoing a fundamental shift – from selling solutions to delivering ongoing experiences. Whether it’s digital signage or enterprise collaboration, customers want managed services that are scalable, secure, and smart. This shift is not temporary – it’s structural. And it’s reshaping the competitive landscape.
A New Breed of MSP Is Emerging
The Yorktel-Kinly merger is a sign of things to come. As AI becomes the engine of workplace transformation, and as enterprise customers demand global reach and unified service delivery, the ProAV industry must evolve. The future belongs to those who can combine scale, intelligence, and service excellence – not just in boardrooms, but across every screen and every space.
