From VERY long Managed Service Providers have not been able to properly communicate their benefits to the people. But today, the situation is transformed. More entrepreneurs are relying on MSPs for their businesses.

Wait, how did these managed IT service providers become so magnetic (all of a sudden)?

Why every entrepreneur, today, thinks MSP is always a good investment to make.

Why Your Competitors Love IT Managed Service Providers?

Nobody makes an investment without thinking of the ROI and when that investment makes a staggering result, we are bound to be tempted by them.

Consider this

• For 56% companies, improving the efficiency and reliability of IT operations was the main cause of choosing an MSP. (CompTIA, 2016)
  
• For 38% companies, enhanced security and compliance was the main driving factor whereas 33% companies wanted to save costs with managed services.
  

If you don't know your number, you don't have a business.

Reasons You Should Consider MSP

1. Controlling IT Costs

We know costs are the main cause of concern for you. With MSP, you can convert the fixed IT costs into variable costs. It allows your budget effectively. You only have to pay for what you use and when you need.

No. This doesn’t mean you can fire your IT team. The managed service providers will help your team to get out the shadow and proactively align business solutions with the strategies of MSP.

2. Believe in Finding Solutions Before They Occur

Well, sounds weird, right?

But this is the strong point of a well-managed service provider. You will not have to worry about the daily IT operations. No, second-guess to speediness and reliability of their network connection. Since the IT service providers work for you 24*7*365, they will invest time in fixing likely problems before they crop up.

Let me explain with an example.

Do you have the time to verify that the backups taken by the team have actually worked?

Most likely no. Your MSP will take backups and verify a restore.

So, if you are working with the right MSP, instead of fixing the problems, they will identify them before they happen - keeping your systems up. Always.

3. Access to Newer and Better Technologies

If you have an overloaded IT staff with employees lacking the skills and training to manage the whole company’s network on their own, a good MSP can rescue you. They not only remediate the issues that arise but your clients will also benefit from the latest technology which equals to good profit.

4. Focus on your Core Business

Business means risk. The external factors (like markets, government policies, technologies, competition and financial conditions) are dynamic.

By outsourcing your IT work especially security and compliance issues to an expert, you will minimize the risk since they know better how to avoid risks in those fields. Also, you will be able to focus on the core profit driving projects.

5. Work on Long-term Business Model

The biggest benefit of the MSP business model is continuity. The whole business idea is based on retainers, therefore, they have strategic IT planning.

Managed Service Providers work with best possible products and think ahead to give you advice on what you need to be planning. They have proactive support and ensure that IT software and infrastructure is updated to minimize risks.

6. 3 Important E’s

Experienced, Efficient, Effective.

When you do all IT services in-house, it leads to much higher research, implementation time, and further leading to increased costs that ultimately customers pay. Outsourcing IT work, it makes all your business processes effective and efficient backed by experience.

Here you have to be a little attentive.

Being qualified is one thing and having experience is another. Having certifications should not be the sole driver of your decision-making process. By working with a company which has a good amount of experience can make your business processes efficient and economical.

How to Find the Best MSP?

Most of the companies goof up things here and choose managed service providers who:

• Don’t take the accountability of processes. (if things go wrong)
  
• And doesn’t have a good track record.
  

When you choose a wrong Managed Service Provider, you end up paying more instead of cost-saving. Therefore, it is important to do a detailed analyzing since it could be a long-run decision.

4-Steps To Choosing the Best Managed Service Provider

1. Understand your company’s requirements

What is the current status of your company? What are company’s goals? Within how many days/months/years you need to achieve that goal? How much money have you allocated to different sectors?

Upon reviewing these aspects, it will be easier for you to make a clear decision.

2. IT cost analysis

After analyzing your company needs, the next step is to perform a total cost analysis.

Calculate what you are currently paying for IT support + the cost of lost productivity + downtime if experienced. Example: Suppose you have a total staff of 30 people in the organization. Include the cost of inefficiency in the organization every day. That could be 15 minutes every day (probably due to inefficient systems).

3. Shortlist MSP and request an audit

Once IT cost analysis has been done, shortlist some managed IT service providers. While shortlisting the providers, keep in mind the following things:

• Are you comfortable working with them?
  
• Does this company has a successful track record?
  
• Is it familiar with your industry and the requirements?
  

After shortlisting the companies, you need to request an IT audit. It is intrusive and will involve an IT professional giving your entire IT systems, software, and infrastructure a full review.

4. Choose a Managed Service Provider

When choosing the best suitable MSP, you need to analyze:

• Company’s background
  

By now, you must have shortlisted the companies on the basis of expertise, certifications, and partners.

The deciding factors here include:

1. Number of successful case studies

2. A dedicated R&D division that keeps on exploring and implementing new and better technologies and products.

• Customer Feedback
  

Since nothing works better than 1st hand reviews. If you would be able to talk to their past or existing clients, you will be better informed on the uptime they guarantee, how the support team is, and their efficiency.

Now that you have found THE managed service provider, you need to get started by transferring the information and communicating your organizational goals so that they can align the IT requirements with those objectives.

Long thing, short

MSPs have been around for quite a long time, but we have been relatively low in embracing them.

However, in the past 4-5 years, people are exploring additional benefits of these services other than just saving the costs. If you hire an expert, you will definitely enjoy benefits like higher security, generating revenue and making the company become more efficient.

Thinking to go for a Managed Service Provider? Contact Us to claim a free audit of your IT infrastructure.