What is a Managed Service Provider?

Today’s businesses, especially operations that are either currently experiencing growth or set to encounter it soon, are constantly changing with the times and needs of clients. In addition, other areas are also adapting and rising to combat scale as hackers using new and more volatile iterations of spyware and phishing become prevalent. And then there’s the risk of, should your IT infrastructure go down, whether you can recover in time without causing domino effect stresses across your staff and customer base. 

Together, we can help you maintain smooth operations that are more efficient, proactive, and reliable even in the most trying of times. But what is a managed service, and how does it work? 

Let’s explore this subject in more detail.

The Definition of a Managed Service Provider

A managed service is a specific kind of service that the client initiates (you) and is fully handled by the provider (us). The latter is often referred to as an MSP (managed service provider). 

Business owners procure a managed service to take care of specialized processes or responsibilities. For example, upon hiring us as a managed IT services provider, we can take care of everything from hardware and software fixes to network overhauls and cybersecurity upgrades, all while remaining fully compliant with your requirements and budget. 

What is an MSP Used for?

An MSP can help streamline your operations within the scope of the services that they offer. Their goal is to help you improve efficiency, cost control, and productivity without placing additional strain or pressure on your employees. If anything, the services in question should make life better for them and the clients you serve. 

For example, you can hire a managed IT services provider to overhaul your networking to make it more efficient and reduce downtime. This can be done while accommodating projected growth in the form of additional, newer employees being added to the network in the near future. Depending on how you wish to use an MSP, you’ll be able to free up internal resources, reduce labour costs or energy wastage, improve internal processes to save time, eliminate needless steps that bloat your operational flow, and more.

Factors that Influence the Need for Managed IT Services

From this point forward, we’ll refer to managed services in the context of IT-related applications. When procuring these services, there are many benefits to be had, though they will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the following:

• The size and scaling needs of your operations
• Network bandwidth and uptime versus downtime
• Disaster recovery failover rates
• Cybersecurity and preventative measures currently in place (if any)
• Compliance and regulatory requirements that govern your operations
• Budget
• Staff capacity
• Business specialization (otherwise known as application) and industry

How Can an MSP Help Your Business?

With the above factors in mind, here are just some of the many potential benefits that may be applicable to your use of managed IT services in particular:

• Safeguard data, including the implementation of two-factor authentication (2FA) and encryption
• Streamlined cloud migration and cloud governance
• Network improvements that reduce uptime and increase traffic bandwidth
• Freed up internal IT resources/team members
• Education and training for employees on best practices in using hardware/software
• Improved collection, organization, and secure access management/permissions handling of servers, intranet, and uploaded data
• Reduced or eliminated service outages
• Proper support to help your team remain agile and productive
• Improved strategy planning and roadmaps
• Data-driven decision-making through flagging and reporting, analytics and diagnostics, and findings from scans
• Future-proofed infrastructure that can flex to accommodate rapid growth/scaling
• Optimized hardware and software integration, leading to improved efficiency and reliability
• Significantly reduced risk management, threat reporting and mitigation, and proactive security

Other Benefits of MSPs

Thanks to managed service providers, businesses can maintain daily operations effectively and on budget. Here are a few other significant benefits of working with an MSP:

Cost Savings

In any type of business, information technology costs can run up quickly. The good news is that managed IT services can help to prevent the shock of unexpected IT expenses by maintaining systems continuously and reducing downtime. In addition, businesses can enjoy additional cost savings by eliminating or reducing the need for in-house IT staff.

Proactive Monitoring and Maintenance

Every minute of downtime means your company loses money, so proactive maintenance is essential. Fortunately, this task can be outsourced to MSPs, who continuously monitor and maintain IT systems to prevent issues before they disrupt operations.

Scalability

Another vital benefit of managed services is their easy scalability to meet changing business needs. Managed services can easily bridge the gap when an organization has outgrown its current resources but cannot justify new in-house staff.

Access to Expertise

When working with a managed service provider like RevNet, you get access to a team of IT experts who learn the important technological details about your business. Maintaining smooth IT operations requires a wide range of skills and knowledge, and hiring a large internal team is often expensive and not feasible. As such, working with a dedicated MSP is the best way to gain access to top-tier talent.

What to Look for in an MSP

When shopping around for a managed service provider, especially one dealing with technology as we do, it’s crucial that you narrow down your search based on the following criteria:

Are They Up to Date on the Latest Threats and Pain Points?

An MSP needs to know their ABCs—it’s that simple. That means, when handling IT infrastructure, knowing exactly what threats are out there and of the highest risk. Your MSP should also have the expertise and technology needed to combat those digital and physical threats, and yes, that includes the ability to help your business bounce back from a natural disaster without losing precious data. 

In addition, is your MSP aware of the common pain points plaguing businesses similar to yours, and are they willing or able to accommodate workarounds based on strict compliance or regulatory requirements that dictate your operations? 

Are They Experienced?

Not just anyone can call themselves an MSP. Becoming a true specialist takes years of practice, refinement, and skills development. For instance, our IT team knows the ins and outs of not only the hardware of yesteryear but also the latest innovations. We keep up with tech trends, threats emerging in the digital landscape, and new techniques that deliver added value to our clients. This is why we’ve been able to amass a vast suite of services, encompassing everything from IT consulting and network wiring to remote backups, managed workstations, exchange hosting, and much more.  

Are They Supportive, or Do They Push You Away?

We believe that knowledge is power, which translates to a powerful amount of growth and success potential for your business if you can learn even when “outsourcing.” When working with an MSP, they are taking over responsibilities and planning within critical areas related to your operations. It’s a deeply personal relationship in a way because they need to get to know your business and team from within. Therefore, it only makes sense that you choose an MSP who wants to help your team make full use of the solutions they implement. Avoid the ones that shoo you away and don’t want to share what they know, as that will not help you when you’re finished with their services!

Security and Compliance Considerations

Depending on the industry, managed IT service providers must comply with specific regulations, including:

• GDPR. MSPs working with companies that fall within the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) scope must meet the requirements for properly handling personal data.
• PIPEDA. MSPs working with private-sector clients must comply with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). 

Depending on the industry your business is in, there may be other data privacy laws that must be followed. As such, choosing a managed service provider with an adept knowledge of applicable regulations and a strong focus on security and compliance is crucial.

Transitioning to Managed Services

Transitioning to managed services can be a strategic move for many businesses. To ensure a smooth transition, follow these five steps:

1. Assess Current IT Environment: Begin by comprehensively assessing your current IT infrastructure, systems, and processes. Identify pain points, vulnerabilities, and areas for improvement.
2. Define Objectives and Scope: Clearly outline your business objectives and expectations for the MSP engagement. Define the scope of services you want the MSP to provide, such as network management, cybersecurity, cloud services, or helpdesk support.
3. Research and Select an MSP: Evaluate multiple MSPs to find the one that aligns best with your business goals and requirements. Consider factors like their expertise, track record, scalability, pricing structure, and support quality.
4. Plan the Transition: Collaborate closely with the chosen MSP to develop a transition plan. Ensure the plan covers key aspects such as data migration, software and hardware updates, staff training, and a timeline for the transition process.
5. Monitor and Optimize: Establish a robust monitoring and communication framework after transitioning to the MSP. Regularly review the performance of the MSP against your defined objectives and KPIs.

Best Practices for Maximizing MSP Benefits

After the transition is made, you should continue working closely with the MSP to ensure the smooth operation of your business. Follow these best practices to maximize the benefits of your partnership:

• Do your research and choose the right MSP based on their expertise, experience, and offered services.
• Clearly define your IT needs and communicate your expectations to the MSP.
• Connect with the MSP continuously to facilitate teamwork and collaboration.
• Review your MSP’s performance regularly and provide feedback.
• Plan for future growth with your MSP.

Are you keen on learning more about how managed services can benefit your specific business? Our team at RevNet is here to discuss your needs and help plan your MSP transition. Get in touch with us today, and let’s make your IT infrastructure the best it can be tomorrow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly does a managed service provider (MSP) do?

A managed service provider is a third-party company remotely managing an organization’s IT infrastructure and end-user systems.

How do I know if my business needs managed IT services?

You should consider working with an MSP if:

• Your business’s IT systems experience a lot of downtime;
• You require more advanced technology or cloud-based solutions;
• You wish to improve your system’s security;
• You do not have the in-house resources to address the issues above.

What are the advantages of outsourcing IT services to an MSP?

Outsourcing IT services to an MSP has many advantages, mainly access to IT expertise and improving the efficiency of your business’s IT systems.

How do I choose the right MSP for my business?

When choosing an MSP for your business, evaluate the services offered and look for extensive experience and expertise in the IT industry.

What is the typical pricing structure for managed services?

The pricing structure for managed IT services can vary from provider to provider, but it is common for MSPs to offer customizable monthly packages.

How do MSPs ensure the security of my data and IT systems?

MSPs use sophisticated tools and practices to monitor the system for unauthorized access or security incidents and respond to such events promptly.

How can an MSP help with disaster recovery and business continuity?

MSPs ensure smooth business operations by minimizing system downtime and promptly restoring data access and IT infrastructure should a disaster happen.