5 Reasons to Use a Managed Services Provider

Published on: July 27th, 2017

One of the questions that I get over and over again is, “Why should we use your, or any, managed services provider?” Typically they ask this because they perceive that it would be better and more cost effective for them just to contact us as their technology issues arise (Break/Fix).

Unfortunately there is a common misconception that having their technology under a managed services agreement is like buying insurance… that they would be paying for something they may or may not use. Not so.

Here are 5 compelling reasons to use a Managed Services Provider.

1 A Managed Services Provider (MSP) will take a proactive approach to managing your tech infrastructure. No more break/fix putting out fires. While you can’t fix everything proactively a MSP worth their weight in salt will proactively identify most , if not all, issues and correct them prior to being a problem. Much easier on the nerves with employees being more productive. Ultimately, this will save your company time and money. A good thing.

2 One of the most important pieces of managed services is the Service Level Agreement (SLA). The SLA explains and promises how and when the MSP will respond to the customized needs of your company. On the other hand, with break/fix services there is not an SLA and typically no guarantee of when the service will be provided. You can easily see that not having a managed service agreement with a SLA could cost your company time and money in lost productivity.

Something to think about… Don’t get left behind.

“CompTIA found that improving the efficiency and reliability of IT operations was a main driving factor for going with an MSP for 56 percent of companies with 100 or more employees and 47 percent of companies with fewer than 100 employees.” –CIO

“Enhanced security and compliance was a driving factor for 38 percent of companies of all sizes. ROI/cost savings was a driving factor for 33 percent of companies with 100 or more employees and 28 percent of companies with fewer than 100 employees.” –CIO

“The trade association found that six-in-10 respondents that consider their technology usage advanced are using an MSP for physical security services. Also, 63 percent of the same group are using an MSP for application monitoring. The managed services that are lowest in demand to date are videoconferencing, mobile device management and audio/visual services.” –CIO

3 This is where the rub is with most companies as a typical managed services agreement is based upon a consistent monthly fee. With that said, in reality, this helps your company keep costs in line and makes budgeting much easier. With an MSP, dealing with unexpected expenses goes away. They now can be handled and dealt with in a timely budgeted manner. Let’s face it the unexpected always happens at the worst time. An MSP can help you get that under control.

4 Partnering with a reputable Managed Services Provider can be far less expensive than hiring, training, and retaining your own IT staff. For the companies that do not have IT staff, do you really want your bookkeeper as the IT “go-to-person”? Really? Using managed services allows that staff member to focus on your company’s business, instead of IT, which is always better for the bottom line.

“To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.” -Douglas Adams

5 Even if your business has an existing IT staff it can still benefit from managed services. An MSP can complement the internal IT staff by off-loading some of the day to day operations and management of the network and software. What a benefit to your company by allowing your IT staff to focus on other needs. Another big bonus is it can eliminate the necessity of making a large investment in infrastructure management tools since the Managed Services Provider already has these in place typically.