When organizations seek a managed service provider (MSP) to meet their business objectives, it is often intended to fill in a gap or role in an IT system or staff. Many smaller companies are working with limited in-house IT capabilities, so they rely on outside expertise to expand their product and service offerings. This quick guide will familiarize you with the types of MSPs and what they can do to help your company grow.  

What tasks do MSPs perform?

MSPs handle complex, consuming, or repetitive work that is involved in IT infrastructure or end-user systems. These tasks may include the following:

• Provide technical support to staff
• Protect IT with cybersecurity
• Manage user access accounts
• Administer contracts
• Provide compliance and risk management
• Manage IT infrastructure

MSPs provide a wide range of services, so they can be categorized by the type of services they offer including:

• Remote support:  This support includes cloud-based software, support for remote devices, and remotely troubleshooting technical issues.
• Proactive support: The MSP performs preventative maintenance to stay ahead of device or network problems. 
• Monitoring: These MSPs provide monitoring software for applications, network devices, websites, or servers.
• Centralized management: This provider offers a console to manage complex networks, patch management, and security software. 
• Scheduled maintenance. These MSPs support organizations with regularly scheduled network maintenance.

What benefits do MSPs provide?

MSPs can offer cost- and time-saving services that allow organizations to focus on their core capabilities. They can provide knowledge and skills that fill in the gaps many companies experience. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of working with a MSP: 

• Improved security: Depending upon its scope, a MSP may provide security software and awareness training. 
• Business continuity: A MSP can help organizations to prepare for or recover from a disaster.
• Constant network monitoring: Your MSP may offer 24/7 monitoring services that provide system visibility and cloud management.
• Fill staff shortages: Small companies can benefit especially from a MSP that provides tasks and roles they are lacking in-house. 
• Offer expertise: Working with a knowledgeable MSP provides organizations access to expert resources. 
• Greater cost efficiency: Organizations can focus on improving their services while the MSP handles day-to-day tasks.  

Partnering with a MSP can help an organization improve its operations. These providers offer crucial services so that businesses can concentrate on their core offerings without worrying about service interruptions or extended system downtimes. Reach out to discuss how our IT capabilities can meet your organization’s unique needs.