Charles IT Expands AI and Automation Capabilities Through Acquisition of Descent

Descent will remain an independent subsidiary as Charles IT invests in AI-driven automation and the next generation of managed IT services

Middletown, CT, Sept. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Charles IT announced the acquisition of Descent, an AI-native managed services provider that has built its business around using automation and artificial intelligence to rethink how IT services are delivered. 

The acquisition is not a traditional MSP consolidation.

Descent will continue operating under its own name, with its existing team, clients and approach intact. Rather than absorbing the company into Charles IT, the two organizations plan to use the partnership to accelerate Descent's development while bringing its AI and automation expertise into Charles IT's broader managed services strategy. 

The move comes as managed service providers face a significant shift in how technology services are delivered. AI and automation are creating opportunities to eliminate repetitive work, identify issues earlier, and give technical teams more time to focus on complex problems and higher-value client needs. 

For Charles IT, acquiring Descent is a bet that those capabilities will become increasingly important to the future of managed services. 

"We weren't looking to acquire another company just to get bigger. We were looking for people who see where this industry is going and are already building for it," said Foster Charles, founder and CEO of Charles IT. 

"Descent has built something different. Steven and his team aren't simply adding AI tools to a traditional MSP model. They've been thinking about how automation can change the model itself; how work gets done, where engineers spend their time and ultimately how clients experience IT support." 

Charles added: "What made this partnership especially compelling is that we don't want to change what makes Descent successful. We want to give them more resources to keep building while bringing what we learn together back to the clients and businesses we serve." 

Preserving What Makes Descent Different 

Founded by Steven Saehrig, Descent has focused on applying AI and automation to managed IT services with an emphasis on reducing repetitive work, improving operational efficiency and enabling technical teams to focus their time where human expertise has the greatest impact. 

That approach will remain central to the company following the acquisition. 

Descent will continue operating independently as a Charles IT subsidiary, maintaining its brand, team and client relationships while gaining access to the resources and scale of Charles IT. 

"One of the things that stood out to us about Charles IT was that the conversation was never about turning Descent into Charles IT," said Saehrig, founder of Descent. "It was about what becomes possible when you combine what we've been building with the resources and experience of a larger organization." 

"We've spent a lot of time thinking about where AI and automation actually make managed services better, not because the technology is new, but because it can remove friction for technicians and clients. This gives us an opportunity to keep pushing that work forward without losing the culture or mindset that got us here." 

Building for the Next Era of Managed IT 

The acquisition brings together two organizations approaching the changing IT landscape from complementary directions. 

Charles IT has built its managed services business around cybersecurity, compliance, technology management and long-term client relationships. Descent brings an automation-first approach focused on finding ways to make the underlying delivery of managed services more efficient and effective. 

Together, the companies plan to explore how AI and automation can improve areas such as service delivery, internal workflows, issue identification, and the overall client experience. 

"We believe the best use of AI isn't replacing the people our clients rely on," Charles said. "It's making those people more effective. If we can automate the repetitive work and give our team more time to think, solve problems and work directly with clients, that's where things get really interesting." 

What the Acquisition Means for Clients 

For clients of both companies, there are no immediate changes to day-to-day service. 

Descent clients will continue working with the same team under the Descent brand and through the same service model. 

Charles IT clients will continue receiving their existing service and support, with the opportunity to benefit over time from new capabilities developed through the companies' work together. 

The companies expect the partnership to create opportunities to test, refine and scale practical applications of AI and automation across managed IT services. 

For Charles IT, the acquisition also reflects a broader philosophy about growth: preserve what works, invest in people with different ideas and use scale to make those ideas more powerful. 

"Technology is going to keep changing quickly," Charles said. "Our job is to make sure we're changing thoughtfully with it without losing the thing that matters most: the relationships our clients have with the people they trust." 

About Charles IT 

Charles IT gives businesses the IT team they wish they had: reliable, responsive, and personal. The company provides managed IT, cybersecurity, and managed compliance services to growing organizations, with deep expertise supporting businesses in regulated industries. From day-to-day IT support and 24/7 security monitoring to strategic technology guidance and compliance frameworks including CMMC, HIPAA, SOC 2, SEC and NIST, Charles IT helps organizations reduce risk, simplify technology, and move forward with confidence. With locations in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Virginia, Charles IT combines the capabilities of a growing managed services provider with a relationship-first approach built around clear communication, practical expertise, and people who know their clients by name. For more information, visit www.charlesit.com. 

About Descent 

Descent IT is a managed IT services provider helping small businesses and internal IT teams simplify, secure, and scale their technology environments. The company provides fully managed and co-managed IT services spanning IT support, cybersecurity, cloud and device management, and strategic vCIO/vCISO guidance. Descent integrates AI and automation throughout its service delivery model, including AI-driven monitoring, automated patching and workflows, intelligent ticketing, and resource optimization. By combining technical expertise with an automation-first approach, Descent helps organizations improve efficiency, strengthen security, and get more value from their technology. Learn more at descentit.com. 

Contact Info

Elizabeth "Betta" Greenberg
bettag@charlesit.com
+1 860-344-9628