Organizations often seek outsourced IT support when they lack the capital to hire and manage their own in-house IT team, or when they prefer the experience and benefits that outsourcing can offer. Managed Service Providers (MSPs) provide a wide range of technology solutions for modern businesses, regardless of size. With the help of an MSP, companies can keep up with modern technologies in their respective industries and benefit from proactive management of their IT assets. The services offered by MSPs can vary widely and cover everything from cybersecurity needs, VoIP solutions, backup recovery and more.
Network monitoring and management, cloud-based infrastructure (IaaS), on-premises server management, and endpoint security are some of the most common services provided by MSPs. The scope of work provided by an MSP almost never covers all areas of technology, usually providing a list of compatible applications (Microsoft Office, Google Chrome, etc.). Types of managed service offerings and plan components also vary from one provider to another. MSPs may offer other services such as developing disaster recovery plans or co-managed service providers.
A co-managed service provider is similar to an MSP but works with a company's in-house IT department to provide expert advice or simply to use it as an additional pair of practical platforms. Before signing any formal contract with a managed IT service provider, it is important to review and evaluate what is included in the Service Level Agreement (SLA). With this type of managed service, a managed IT service provider will remotely assist with the data and file infrastructure. The evolution of MSPs began in the 1990s with the emergence of application service providers (ASPs), which offered a service level for remote application hosting.
Managed services are the proactive management of an IT asset or object, by a third party, commonly known as an MSP, on behalf of a customer. Most managed service providers promote all-inclusive packages with unlimited IT resources while contracted, including day-to-day network management. If your business is consumed by IT problems, whether they are small troubleshooting errors or massive drops in performance, it's worth looking for an MSP. With the help of an experienced managed service provider, you can benefit from proactive management of your IT assets and keep up with modern technologies in your industry.
