The business world changes quickly, and advancements in technology disrupt the way companies manage IT infrastructure. One of the biggest shifts in this area has been the emergence of Managed Service Providers (MSPs). But what is a Managed Service Provider, and how do they help businesses? Let’s take a look.

What Is a Managed Service Provider?

Managed service providers are there to give their users peace of mind. They are remote service providers that take the responsibility for a company’s IT infrastructure off the hands of the company’s managers and owners. They protect their clients from issues that could disrupt the company’s technological lifeline. Some tasks to ensure this include optimizing performance, maintaining network security, and adhering to Service Level Agreements. In simple words, Managed Service Providers are remote shields that protect a company from IT disasters and maintain their day-to-day operations.

The Evolution of MSPs

It may come as a surprise, but the concept of Managed Service Providers has been around for quite some time. It’s said to have first surfaced in the 1990s when application service providers (ASPs) began to rise.
Since then, the scope of MSP services has grown considerably – from mere remote monitoring of servers and networks to also including mobile device management, managed security systems, remote firewall administration, and managed print services.

Advantages of Using a Managed Service Provider

It’s no secret that partnering with a managed service provider can be pretty useful. But what are the exact benefits you can expect? Let’s take a look at some of the major perks of employing an MSP:

Cost Efficiency

If a company wants to get the most out of the IT budget, outsourcing to an MSP can give them just that. It can mean fewer dedicated staff members on the payroll as many of their responsibilities go-to experts in the field. This means businesses can manage their finances more frugally, freeing up funds for other areas that need the money.

Access to Latest Technology

Technology is ever-changing, and it can be difficult to keep up with all the developments on your own, especially if you aren’t that tech-savvy. Managed Services Providers (MSPs) keep their client companies up-to-date on all the latest advancements in technology that are relevant to them. The quicker you gain access to advanced technologies, the more ahead of the competition you’ll be.

Risk Reduction

Cyber-attacks are a growing concern. While IT has made business better on the whole, the more your business moves into the digital realm, the more potential risks can arise. An experienced managed service provider (MSP) on your side can protect against such IT vulnerabilities and reduce the risk of breaches. These professionals know how to detect potentially vulnerable parts of your IT infrastructure and develop strategies to reduce exposure.

Quality Service

When working with Managed Service Providers (MSPs), one of the main benefits is access to a consistent level of quality service. They operate according to Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that specify exactly what businesses should expect from their providers, so there is always reliable support and total peace of mind that comes with it. This helps to build strong relationships with clients that are trust-based and last. And it also means you get an implicit warranty on the services if anything goes awry after all.

Challenges and Considerations

The explosion of cloud computing has been somewhat of a double-edged sword for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). On the one hand, the shift to the cloud brings along new opportunities and services that can benefit customers. But on the other hand, properly implementing and adjusting these services to align with the rapid shift in business is no easy task. As more IT infrastructure components move to the web, MSPs must be ready to face this challenge head-on, and their clients should be aware and understanding of these challenges.

The Global Perspective

It’s interesting to know that the global managed services market could grow from $279 billion in 2022 to $400 billion by 2027. This sky-rocketing demand is the clearest sign of how much MSPs can assist a business and how relying on in-house teams is becoming increasingly challenging with the complexity of the systems. This is especially true for small businesses and those in developing environments that don’t have the means to support an in-house team and, therefore, get the most out of managed service providers.

Types of Managed Services

MSPs provide a range of services as explained below.

Information Services

At the heart of MSPs lies a suite of information services. Such services can cover everything from software maintenance and troubleshooting to data backups and network monitoring. As businesses rely more on data-driven and connected IT infrastructure, they need someone capable of meticulous attention to detail to handle the systems.

Business-to-Business Integration

For a business to stay afloat and protect its reputation, it needs to collaborate with partners, suppliers, and others. MSPs help companies power these connections, communicate with confidence, and manage supply chains without delays. They can automate many tasks to reduce wasted time on manual tasks and coordination.

Transportation

When you think about MSPs, or even IT as a whole, transportation is most likely not the first thing that comes to mind. But some providers offer services related to this – like daily planning and execution of travel processes and ensuring goods, services, and people always arrive on time and in the right place.

Marketing

If you are unsure of how to capitalize on digital marketing, Managed Service Providers (MSPs) can come to the rescue. They could draft strategic plans for you and integrate marketing services to give you a broad reach to find leads and turn them into loyal customers.

Manage Your IT Professionally

In an era where technology drives everything, including business, a managed service provider worth its salt can be the difference between reaching for the stars and falling flat. If you’re a small business in St. Joseph, a large corporation in Kansas City, or in between, an MSP, and its skilled workforce can propel your company forward. Interested in exploring how exactly an MSP can benefit you? Visit ProServ’s website for insights or contact us to discuss a strategy plan for your business.