What SMB Leaders Must Know About AI in 2026: Lessons from Ingram Micro ONE and How DFW Organizations Can Build AI Readiness Today

By Steve “The Doctor” Meek | CEO, The Fulcrum Group | Keller, TX

Introduction — Why This Matters Now

Earlier this month, I spent several days in Washington DC at the Ingram Micro ONE conference, hearing from the largest technology vendors and global leaders about AI, security, and what’s next for the technology channel. What struck me most wasn’t the technology — it was the message.

 

The organizations that win in the AI economy aren’t the ones with the most tools… they’re the ones with the most clarity.

Executives — not IT folks, not vendors, not consultants — are the ones who must shape that clarity. And here in North Texas, I’m seeing a huge divide forming between SMBs that are AI-ready… and those who think “AI readiness” just means turning on a ChatGPT license and searching the Internet. But, as Mark Twain might’ve said if he’d known more about getting the most out of AI: “The secret to getting ahead is getting your data in order first.”

 

The Problem — AI Isn’t a Tool You Buy. It’s a Capability You Build.

At Ingram ONE, several consistent themes emerged:

  • Statistics showed only 1–2% of organizational data is truly AI-ready
    (meaning properly governed, accessible, and structured)
  • AI adoption is accelerating exponentially faster than the internet
    but most SMBs are “moonwalking while thinking they’re sprinting”
  • Security threats amplified by AI (especially deepfakes) are growing at a pace that outstrips traditional tools
  • Most SMBs say they want AI… but less than half have clear outcomes defined for how it will help their business.

In short:
AI isn’t plug-and-play. AI readiness is now as essential as cybersecurity readiness — especially in DFW’s competitive but potentially high-growth environment.

And that readiness begins with leadership, not technology.

 

The Fulcrum Way: STARPower, SPOT Managed Services, and Executive-Led AI Strategy

At The Fulcrum Group, we’ve been pushing a simple truth for years:

  • Good IT (When executives think their stuff is “Fine") just keeps the lights on.
  • Great IT creates competitive advantage.

AI is no different. Our STARPower Framework aligns directly to what my event key takeaways emphasized:

 

  1. Alignment with Vision & Strategy

Before an AI tool ever gets switched on, we help executives answer:

  • What business outcomes matter most?
  • What are our top processes?
  • Where can AI eliminate friction?
  • What processes create bottlenecks?

Without this, you don’t have priority for your AI — you might actually have chaos or promote  lack of use.

 

  1. Baseline & Current State Assessment

Over time, your technology, applications and data suffer from entropy which means you must constantly do these things as part of full AI. Our SPOT Managed Services routines have processes and tools that can assist with these needs.:

  • Data quality and governance checks
  • Security posture reviews
  • Network and asset documentation
  • Identity & access evaluation

You can’t improve what you can’t measure, and AI readiness DFW starts with knowing where you stand. Your Office 365 environment has more insight than you could imagine with Copilot, but it isn’t the “instant on” of a microwave.

 

  1. Target State Definition

As part of our AI efforts, we help walk through possible AI initiatives:

  • Measurable outcomes
  • Personal productivity
  • AI-augmented workflows
  • AI Councils
  • AI Policy Development
  • Roles & responsibilities (including “human-in-the-loop”)

This avoids the “shadow AI” problem highlighted in DC — where well-meaning employees start using tools without oversight. This can create security and privacy issues.

 

  1. Prioritization & Quick Wins

Ingram ONE reinforced this:
Start with one high-value business problem and apply AI surgically — not everywhere at once.

Our client’s easy wins often begin with Microsoft Copilot for 365 helping with personal productivity:

  • Detailed Teams meeting recaps, AI notes, @ mentions and transcripts
  • Easy email, webpage and document summarization
  • AI powered insight to create checklists, financial insight
  • AI-assisted content creation such as presentations, SOPs and documentation
  • Simplified review of large data sets like logs, documents or across spreadsheets

 

  1. Incremental Improvement & Learning Loops

STARPower borrows from ITIL v4 and Lean principles — and the AI economy rewards iteration over perfection.

A Real-World Metric — Why AI Readiness Matters

One stat from Ingram ONE stuck with me:

“Organizations using AI-enabled automation see up to 30% cost reduction.”

That doesn’t just hit the IT budget — it impacts whatever an organizations main concerns might be:

  • Service delivery for municipalities
  • Production throughput for manufacturers
  • Case workload for nonprofits
  • Real-Time incident analysis & situational awareness in public safety
  • Billing accuracy for professional services

 

AI readiness isn’t about cool tech. It’s about freeing up capacity across the entire organization. And in DFW — where competition, growth, and labor shortages collide — that advantage is real.

 

Key Takeaways / FAQ

  1. What is “AI readiness” for SMBs?

It means your data, security, identity, processes, and leadership alignment are prepared for safe, valuable AI adoption.

  1. Is AI going to replace jobs?

Not in SMBs. It replaces tasks, not people. The winners will be teams who learn to use AI as an acceleration tool.

  1. What should DFW organizations do first?

Roll out free Copilot Chat to the entire organization to start learning needed AI skills.

Then start small: license one team of pilot users, identify one key workflow as the team or each user identify one use case.

  1. How does STARPower help?

It ties every improvement — AI included — back to business outcomes, ensuring you don’t waste budget chasing shiny tools. Starpower is just like AI in that we ask questions that spark your insight, but it isn’t artificial, just your intelligence.

  1. Do I need to worry about security?

Absolutely. AI increases both attack speed and sophistication. Preparation, governance and guardrails matter more than ever.

 

Call to Action

If you're wondering where your organization stands — or how fast AI can create advantage — now is the time to move. The gap between “interested in AI” and “AI-ready” is growing fast in DFW, and we’re helping clients close it through SPOT Managed IT Services, STARPower leadership alignment, practical roadmapping and AI solutions and services that accelerates real business outcomes.

 

👉 Let’s build your AI readiness plan:
https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/contact-us/

👉 Learn more about our STARPower Framework:
https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/managed-it-services/

As always — no IT jerks, no hype, just practical strategy built for real-world leaders.

 

ChannelPro Network Interview

I was honored by an interview request by the Executive Director of Content and Engagement at ChannelPro Network, Jonathan Browning, at the event. We had some great questions related to practical AI adoption for real-world organizations. What excited me most was the chance to bring a DFW perspective to the conversation — not theoretical AI, but the kind that actually moves the needle for manufacturers, municipalities, and service organizations right here at home.

Being recognized as someone shaping that conversation was both humbling and energizing. I also got the chance to share the idea that “AI doesn’t replace people. It only replaces inefficiency.” (And it works best when humans remain the sculptors of the strategy.)

 

Talk To Th3 Doc Podcast

If you want to learn a little bit more about AI, check out these recent episodes on my Talk to the Doc podcast that include AI-related content and education.

 

About the Author

Steve “The Doctor” Meek, CISSP is a DFW-based IT strategist, cybersecurity leader, and Co-Founder of The Fulcrum Group, Inc., a 24-year managed IT services provider headquartered in Keller, Texas. A recognized expert in managed IT services, cybersecurity for SMBs, AI readiness, and public-sector technology planning, Steve helps city governments, healthcare organizations, manufacturers, and professional services firms strengthen operations and reduce risk through Fulcrum’s SPOT Managed IT Services and STARPower innovation framework.

Named the inaugural 2024 MSP Titan of Industry, for Community Impact, Steve has given back to the industry over many years. Under his guidance, The Fulcrum Group has been ranked repeatedly on the Channel Futures MSP 501 and CRN Top 500 MSP lists, and earned Fort Worth Chamber Small Business of the Year honors. He also gives time to the Special Olympics as a basketball coach and serves on Tarrant County College’s Business Advisory Council.

As the creator and host of the Talk To Th3 Doc podcast, Steve translates complex technology, leadership, and cybersecurity concepts into practical strategies SMB executives can act on. Based in Keller, TX, Steve believes great IT isn’t about gear — it’s about empowering people, strengthening communities, and helping organizations grow with confidence.

Connect with him on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/stevemeekcissp.