An effective MSP will have a successful balance between proactive guidance and reactive problem resolution, filling all roles from a CIO down to a Help Desk Associate.
How involved the MSP gets ultimately depends on two factors:
- How the client views technology. Is it a necessary evil or a competitive advantage?
- How knowledgeable the MSP is. Are they business consultants who "get it" or stereotypical "IT Guys"?
The more experienced the IT provider, the more services they'll offer their clients. When selecting an MSP for your business, make sure you understand what they can do and what their limitations are.
Cost savings created by the integration and IT governance services provided by leading MSPs will often create a healthy ROI, since the consolidation of services and renegotiation of other service providers & contracts results in a net positive for the client.
Valuable MSPs help to eliminate the Consumption Gap and end up generously paying for themselves over time, creating a mutually beneficial relationship between the client and the service provider.
Considering bringing on an MSP for your company but not sure what to ask? Don't worry. Follow our How to Interview an MSP checklist and you'll have all the information you need.
Whether or not your organization chooses to outsource IT or to hire on their own team is ultimately an internal decision, but not one to take lightly.
"Organizations with no IT staff, or that want personnel to be free for other duties, can turn to managed services to monitor their IT infrastructure."
-- Adam Uzialko, Business News Daily