What is managed service provider outsourcing?
Managed service providers specialize in offering the IT services specifically needed for business operations. Companies with and without internal IT staff often rely on MSP outsourcing for some of their IT needs. These types of services may include cybersecurity, data recovery and backup, cloud computing solutions and cloud-based storage, server maintenance and management, network monitoring and security, and more.
What do managed service providers companies do?
While there are a whole host of services typically offered by IT managed service providers, MSP outsourcing companies are well suited to provide several functions, including:
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Network management: Companies of all sizes generally benefit from having additional resources and expert guidance to manage and optimize their network infrastructure, recommend new systems or software, and ensure that systems are working properly.
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Cybersecurity: Protecting customer data, company data, and key network assets is critical to preventing loss or lawsuits. Many MSP outsourcing firms specialize in cybersecurity solutions including network monitoring and more.
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Cloud computing: Cloud solutions are growing more powerful and useful each day. Taking advantage of these powerful tools and empowering a remote workforce requires specialized knowledge of cloud software and systems in addition to networking, security, and other considerations.
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Desktop support and remote services: MSPs also offer standard IT and technology support including purchasing and maintaining user devices, pushing software updates, and providing on-demand support for user issues.
These are, of course, not the only answers to the question, “what do MSP companies do?” Any combination of these areas, as well as other technology needs such as compliance management and integration, also fall within the types of MSP outsourcing companies.
Benefits of outsourcing managed service providers
It is quite common for companies to work with one or more MSPs in the IT field in order to maximize their performance and ensure the safety of their company information and customer data.
Business owners and in-house IT staff often enjoy quite a few MSP outsourcing benefits when they find a reputable and reliable partner organization.
Predictable Expenses
MSP outsourcing is also helpful for companies because it keeps IT spending more predictable. It also typically costs quite a bit less than building an in-house IT team for your dedicated business needs. Outsourcing to a managed IT services provider allows you to set a monthly budget and maintain reasonable costs while receiving top-tier support for your firm’s IT needs.
Expertise
When you want the best knowledge and experience applied to your business needs, working with a seasoned professional is incredibly valuable. And MSP outsourcing allows business owners to apply a whole team’s IT knowledge to their needs.
On-demand support
Whether for your end users or your business infrastructure, partnering with an IT service provider generally means that you will have dedicated support personnel available if and when needs or problems arise. Many MSPs even provide 24/7 support if needed, providing additional peace of mind for business owners and employees. This is especially helpful in any organization with a hybrid or remote workforce.
Protection
Again, an experienced IT MSP will also be up to date on cybersecurity and network security issues, tools, and defenses. Applying this experience to your company will help to ensure that your resources are protected from attacks and data breaches, and additional security can be added with their assistance.
Increased productivity
Outsourcing your IT needs to a managed service provider is a sure way to ensure that your technology and networking are always up to date and working well. This, in turn, reduces or eliminates downtime, allowing you and your employees to work more efficiently and effectively.
Room for growth: Partnering with an MSP outsourcing company will also give you access to resources and knowledge that can help you plan for and implement your growth strategies. By working with experts you can more quickly and easily grow or add services as your company needs them, and even find opportunities for new technology and services that will enhance your business’ performance in all areas.
The MSP outsourcing benefits list is much longer than this, of course, but these are some of the top reasons why business owners and IT professionals choose to partner with managed service providers for technology solutions.
How to choose the best managed service provider
When preparing to select the best MSP outsourcing company for your business needs, the process should begin like any other vendor or service provider selection process. There are a few basic outsourcing MSP considerations to keep in mind, and some steps you and your team can take to put together key information, questions, steps, and a plan for partnering with an IT managed service provider.
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Compile a list of your company’s needs
The first step is to figure out exactly what your company may need from a technology and support standpoint. This includes beginning with a current inventory of technology resources, services, and software you are already using, and what you may need in the near future. Are your current computers nearing replacement? Are there cloud solutions or specific softwares you may need now or soon? Is your current network functioning well, and is it secure? These questions and others will help you identify your needs and narrow down the types of MSP outsourcing companies you should explore.
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Explore your options
With a clearer understanding of your specific needs in the IT and networking space, you can begin browsing IT managed service providers who offer the support you want. Step one above should also have helped you create a request for proposal (RFP) detailing your needs, which will allow appropriate MSPs to offer their services if they believe there is a match.
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Get quotes from prospective MSP partners
Review the proposed services, costs, and options that your potential providers have given, and see which ones align best with your company’s needs, expectations, and budget. And don’t just review the price tag; the quotes should also include specific information about what services they can and will provide, and give you an opportunity to ensure a good match.
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Initiate Conversations
Schedule meetings or calls with your finalists in order to learn more about them, but also to provide them with more in-depth information about your company, your industry, and the specifics of your IT needs. Walk them through your current technology, your concerns, and your goals in terms of growth and new technologies that may benefit your business.
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Review their past work
Explore previous or current clients that your MSP companies have worked with, read reviews, and develop further questions as needed. Most business leaders find it helpful to see examples of work that an MSP has done for other clients, and especially any experience they may have in your specific industry or area of business.
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Create an agreement
Define the level of service, your expectations, the pricing structure and payment arrangements, and all other details in a contract that you and your selected provider can agree upon. And ensure that you have buy-in from your team on the list of services and technologies needed. You may also include any change management services or guidance that you are requesting to help your team integrate new technology quickly.
Among the list of questions and areas to consider, a few recommendations include:
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List of services: Do the MSPs you are considering offer all of the services you need or may need in the future? Be sure to consider your goals, potential growth in the coming years, and opportunities you may want to explore that require specific technology support.
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Technical support: For networking, desktop support, and more, will your company need 24/7 help? If so, do the MSPs you are considering provide this? Is it outsourced or do they have their own support staff?
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Expertise: Hone in on areas of expertise that your prospective IT provider mentions. Do these align with your needs and goals? Is there anything missing that you are concerned about?
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Specialization: If you are looking for help in a particular area such as cybersecurity, be sure to develop specific questions that will help you understand their level of expertise in this area.
At the end of the day, choosing a managed service provider may be as simple as envisioning what you would want from an in-house department. If money was no object and you could hire and assemble all of the personnel and resources you wanted, which managed service providers get you closest to your goals? While no firm is perfect, viewing the selection process through this lens can help you narrow down your options and find an ideal fit partner for your business.
