Beyond SaaS: How a Membership Model Sets MSPs Free

By Magnus Johansson - CEO & Co-Founder WiBUZ

Editor’s Note (March 5, 2025)

This post was originally published on February 24, 2025. We’ve updated it with additional information on how MsTech leveraged our membership approach to integrate NetExperience and Actiontec hardware through wibipOS. The new details clarify how these integrations benefit future MSPs—without locking anyone into a single-vendor ecosystem.

A Membership Model That Empowers Permissionless Innovation

If you’re an MSP leader, you’ve likely grown weary of per-device fees, rigid vendor roadmaps, and endless contract lock-ins. Traditional SaaS might ease some pains but often introduces new ones—especially as you scale. Now, imagine flipping that script entirely: an operating system that unifies your multi-vendor hardware and a membership community that not only shares development costs but also provides a “turn-key MSP” environment right from Day One.

This is precisely the promise of wibipOS and the Builder’s Universe. And it’s not just a theory—10 of the largest U.S. telcos have thrived in this co-opetition model, reaping the benefits of shared innovation without giving up their unique competitive edge.

The Foundation: wibipOS as an “OS Above Vendors”

Before we dive into membership, let’s clarify the two core components:

1. wibipOS

• The technology layer is an API-first, multi-tenant, multi-service dynamic single-pane-of-glass operating system for managed Wi-Fi and beyond. Think of it as the “master controller” that seamlessly orchestrates hardware from Ruckus, TIP OpenWiFi, Cisco Meraki, Aruba, Cambium—whatever fits your needs.

• Why it matters: You can pick and choose vendors, upgrade hardware on your schedule, and integrate new services without forklift changes. By prioritizing open APIs and true multi-tenancy, wibipOS unifies every aspect of Wi-Fi management—plus emerging needs like IoT—under one cohesive platform.

2. The Builder’s Universe

• The community/membership layer. By joining, MSPs—and even large telcos—pool resources and innovations, share validated modules, advanced features, and best practices, and preserve their unique branding and workflows.

• Why it matters: This co-opetition accelerates time-to-market, boosts innovation, and allows each participant (including major incumbents) to keep proprietary “secret sauce” features private.

Why a Membership Model, Not Just SaaS?

In a typical SaaS arrangement, you pay per device or site and rely on vendor roadmaps to develop new features. In contrast, membership with the Builder’s Universe offers:

1. Outcome-Based Fees

• Instead of per-device charges, you invest in a membership tier aligned with your business outcomes. You don’t face ballooning costs just because you added more APs or expanded to a new region.

2. Embedded, Ongoing R&D

• Memberships come with a shared development team. When you need a new integration or feature, you collaborate with the community to build it—splitting costs and accelerating speed. This eliminates waiting in a long vendor queue.

3. Community-Driven Innovation

• When one MSP or telco pioneers a new module—say, advanced captive portals, firewall integration, or IoT device management—everyone in the Builder’s Universe can adopt it (if they choose). You never reinvent the wheel; you build upon collective breakthroughs.

4. No Hard Lock-In

• If the model stops delivering ROI, you can exit membership without bricking your hardware or losing your existing setups. wibipOS remains vendor-agnostic; you retain complete control of your ecosystem.

A Proven Win-Win-Win:

Ten of the largest U.S. telcos have used this co-opetition model successfully for over a decade—benefiting themselves, their equipment vendors, and the smaller MSPs who share the same Builder’s Universe. Everyone gains from collective R&D, but no one loses their competitive advantage.

The Turn-Key MSP Advantage

One of the most compelling benefits of joining the Builder’s Universe is the ability to launch a fully functional MSP platform practically overnight—even if you have little or no experience in managed Wi-Fi. Here’s how:

1. Pre-Built Universe

• Think of it as a “turn-key” environment: The underlying wibipOS platform is already integrated with major vendors and tested at scale (including large telco deployments). Thus, you can immediately deploy a multi-vendor Wi-Fi solution rather than spend months on custom development.

2. Your Brand, Your Terms

• Immediately upon joining, the platform can be branded to your MSP. You’re not just reselling someone else’s service; you’re delivering a unique offering with your logo, support interface, and roadmap.

3. No Forklift Changes

• If you already have some Ruckus APs or TIP OpenWiFi devices, they plug in seamlessly. No need to rip out existing hardware. This drastically reduces upfront costs and project timelines.

\4. Live SDK for Deeper Customization

• Ready for more advanced features like location analytics or single sign-on portals? The dedicated engineering team can integrate and enhance your environment quickly and transparently.

Real-World Validation: MsTech’s Story

Consider MsTech, an MSP with lofty goals but minimal prior exposure to managed Wi-Fi. They were tasked with deploying a mix of premium Ruckus APs alongside cost-effective TIP OpenWiFi gear across 350+ schools in under 90 days—an ambitious timeline.

1. Joined the Builder’s Universe

• MsTech immediately tapped into existing wibipOS integrations for Ruckus Virtual SmartZone, giving them a fast, reliable start.

2. On-Demand Integration for OpenWiFi

• When MsTech joined, NetExperience and Actiontec were not yet part of the Builder’s Universe. When MsTech requested TIP OpenWiFi support, the LiveSDK team (collaborating with NetExperience and Actiontec engineers) developed and validated the integration specifically for MsTech’s needs.

3. Turn-Key Meets Custom

• Thanks to that newly built integration, MsTech rolled out TIP OpenWiFi devices as seamlessly as Ruckus APs, without the usual vendor constraints or specialized dev cycles. They further customized dashboards, integrated Airtable for automation, and explored IoT expansions—all in parallel with active deployments.

4. Flywheel Effect for the Next MSP

• The new NetExperience–Actiontec modules developed for MsTech are now pre-validated in wibipOS, meaning future MSPs can deploy TIP OpenWiFi gear from Day One—just like MsTech initially did with Ruckus.

5. Compelling Results

• MsTech finished the project 50% faster than they would have under a traditional vendor-locked approach, saving an estimated 40% in total costs. Even more impressively, they dynamically shaped their solution mid-rollout to align with diverse school requirements.

Bottom Line: The MsTech story perfectly illustrates how coopetition within the Builder’s Universe drives an actual flywheel effect. One MSP’s request (TIP OpenWiFi support) becomes a shared asset, instantly benefiting all other members without losing proprietary advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. “Isn’t membership just another type of lock-in?”

Answer: No. In a membership model, you can exit if the platform stops delivering ROI. Your hardware stays functional, and you’re not forced into multi-year deals. Contrast that with rigid SaaS licenses, where failing to renew can turn off your entire network.

2. “We already have dev capabilities. Why join a community?”

Answer: You could build everything but bear the entire R&D and maintenance burden. In the Builder’s Universe, costs are shared, and you benefit from collective innovation, reducing both time-to-market and long-term upkeep.

3. “How do we differentiate if others have the same turn-key platform?”

Answer: You share baseline integrations (like Ruckus + TIP OpenWiFi), but your brand identity, workflows, and advanced modules remain uniquely yours. Think of it like an app store: the infrastructure is familiar, yet each developer’s app can be distinct and specialized.

4. “What if we don’t want to use a certain hardware brand?”

Answer: That’s the beauty of wibipOS: You choose the hardware vendors that best suit your performance, budget, or vertical-market needs. The OS unifies them, so you’re never stuck with a single supplier.

5. “We have no Wi-Fi experience—can we launch quickly?”

Answer: Absolutely. Between the pre-built vendor integrations, ready-to-go controller environments, and supportive community, even newcomers can hit the ground running—just like MsTech did.

Ready to Go Turnkey and Collaborative?

The Builder’s Universe—powered by wibipOS—isn’t just another Wi-Fi management platform. It’s an entirely new approach to delivering (and co-creating) managed Wi-Fi services. By combining a proven technology “OS” with a shared community of innovators, you gain:

• Instant Deployability: Launch your MSP environment immediately, no matter your experience level.

• Flexible Growth: Add new vendors, modules, or integrations at will—no forklift changes required.

• Ownership & Influence: Shape the roadmap, brand the platform as your own, and never get stuck in a vendor’s walled garden.

• Proven Co-Opetition: Join an ecosystem where 10 of the largest U.S. telcos operate successfully, pooling innovations without sacrificing competitive advantage.

Take the Next Step

Interested in learning how membership in the Builder’s Universe could supercharge your MSP offering? Let’s talk.

Please feel free to reach out to us today for a personalized discovery call.

• Find out how others—ranging from agile MSPs to national telcos—have reduced operational costs, accelerated deployment, and built thriving businesses under a co-opetition model that truly works.

  
  

Reimagine what managed Wi-Fi can be when freedom, flexibility, and community-driven innovation converge.