Net Friends Earns 2026 MSP 501 Recognition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Net Friends Earns 2026 MSP 501 Recognition  

A year after losing its largest client to an acquisition, the Durham-based IT provider posted an 88% jump in pretax profit, grew the client base by 35%, and landed on managed services' most respected industry ranking.

DURHAM, N.C., JUNE 2026 — Net Friends, the Triangle-based managed service provider known across Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill for keeping small and midsize businesses running smoothly, has been named to the 2026 MSP 501, the managed services industry's most demanding ranking of operational and financial excellence.

The honor caps an 18-month turnaround that began with a significant setback. In late 2023, Net Friends’ largest client was acquired, resulting in nearly 20% of lost revenue for the business. Rather than chasing any new revenue to fill the gap, Net Friends rebuilt the sales process, marketing engine, and service delivery model from scratch.  

Built on Four Pillars

Net Friends credits the turnaround to a deliberate overhaul across four areas of the business.

Sales discipline. The company replaced ad hoc selling with a structured, repeatable process, qualifying prospects early on price, tech stack, and fit, so both sides start the conversation on the same page.

Marketing as a growth engine. A three-person marketing team sharpened the brand voice and began publishing pricing, a transparency move that brought better-informed prospects into the funnel.

Relentless efficiency. Robotic process automation now saves the team 400 hours a month, more than triple what it saved a year earlier, and Net Friends built its own AI assistant, SAGE, which shaves 15 to 20 minutes off every support interaction. Technicians now support more than 225 users each, well above the industry norm of 100 to 150.

Retention earned monthly. With no contracts locking clients in, Net Friends' 96% retention rate and Net Promoter Score of 95 (nearly double the industry benchmark) are earned fresh every 30 days.

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“We chose to focus on process,” said John Snyder, CEO of Net Friends. “As a result, we rebuilt our sales engine and client experience creating a growth engine that is healthier and stickier than before. Making the MSP 501 list is proof that we made the right decision."

What the MSP 501 Recognizes

Now in its 19th year, the MSP 501 looks past simple revenue rankings to evaluate financial performance, operational efficiency, and overall business health, making it the standard for identifying the best-run managed service providers in the world rather than just the biggest.

“The 2026 MSP 501 winners represent the highest-performing and most innovative IT providers in the industry today. Everyone wants to be a 501 because they stand head and shoulders above the competition. Today's managed services organizations serve as the backbone to the world's small, medium, and large organizations, and the MSP 501 sets the standard for all other MSPs. These managed service providers aren't just keeping pace with the industry, they're actively shaping the future of managed services. Making the MSP 501 list is a testament to their commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and their ability to deliver exceptional value to their clients in an increasingly complex technology landscape.” — Robert DeMarzo, Vice President of Content, Channel Events

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“The MSP 501 represents far more than a ranking, it's the definitive benchmark for excellence in the managed services industry, and a reflection of our unwavering commitment to serving the channel community. Our team works year-round to provide the insights, connections, and platforms that empower MSPs to grow and thrive in an ever-evolving market. Backed by the power of Informa, a global leader in live events, digital platforms, and research, we leverage unparalleled industry expertise and data-driven intelligence to deliver programs like the MSP 501 that truly matter. This recognition celebrates not just the achievements of these exceptional providers, but the collaborative ecosystem we've built together to drive the channel forward.” — Kelly Danziger, General Manager, Channel Partners and MSP Summit

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Winners will be honored at the MSP 501 Awards Gala during MSP Summit, held Sept. 28-30, 2026, in Orlando, Florida, and will be featured on the MSP Summit website alongside aggregate data from this year's survey, among the most closely watched editorial content in the technology channel. This year's average winning MSP brought in more than $32 million in revenue with 10% growth and nearly 60% recurring revenue, with security, cloud, AI, collaboration, networking, and remote monitoring topping the list of services offered.

Looking Ahead

Net Friends is forecasting strong growth built on the same proven sales methodology, transparent pricing, and month-to-month client loyalty that powered its turnaround. The company has also been recognized by the MSP 555, ChannelPro Partner in Excellence, the Triangle Business Journal’s Fast 50, and CloudTango MSP Select, and has held SOC 2 Type II audit certification for seven consecutive years.

"Our power has always been our people,” Neelesh Patel, President of Net Friends added, “and this award is proof of what happens when a team refuses to settle for getting back to where they were. We did not rebuild to return to yesterday’s standards. We rebuilt to be better, and that's the company our clients and our community can count on going forward."

About Net Friends

Founded in 1997, Net Friends has built a legacy of award-winning excellence in managed IT, cybersecurity, and infrastructure solutions for small businesses across North Carolina. A seven-year continuous recipient of the SOC 2 Type II audit certification, Net Friends also ranks among an elite group of technology providers recognized by Channel Futures' MSP 501 Global Ranking, the ChannelPro Partner in Excellence Award, the GTIA (Global Technology Industry Association), and the Triangle Business Journal's Fast 50. These honors reflect not just operational integrity and security leadership, but a deep and lasting commitment to the clients Net Friends serves.  

Learn more at netfriends.com or connect on LinkedIn.

Media Contacts

Emily Dao-Forrester
Brand Manager | Net Friends, Inc.
Emily.Dao-Forrester@NetFriends.com

About Channel Partners, MSP Summit, and the MSP 501

Channel Partners Conference & Expo and MSP Summit serve the global community of technology advisors, managed service providers, channel partners, and technology suppliers through industry-leading events, education, networking, and recognition programs. Channel Partners Conference & Expo is the world's largest independent channel event serving the entire indirect sales channel, while MSP Summit is the premier event dedicated to the managed services community.

The Channel Partners and MSP Summit portfolio also includes the MSPs to Watch program, the Circle of Excellence Awards, and the Channel Partners Tech Advisor Thought Leaders Awards. For nearly 30 years, Channel Partners Conference & Expo and MSP Summit have served as trusted resources for the global channel community. Learn more at channelpartnersconference.com and themspsummit.com.

Media Contacts

Dave Raffo
Sr. Conference Editor & Community Manager | Channel
david.raffo@informa.com

Sydney Kurtz
Associate Marketing Manager, VIP Audience | Channel
sydney.kurtz@informa.com