What is a Managed Service Provider (MSP)?

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A managed service provider (MSP) is an IT service company that provides network, server, and specialized applications to its end users and its clients. The service provider hosts and manages these applications as well.

Emergence of MSPs

The emergence of MSPs started in the 1990s with the rise of application service providers (ASPs). They offered remote application hosting services and helped pave the way for MSPs to provide remote support for customers’ IT infrastructure.

MSPs’ main focus at the beginning was on the remote management and monitoring of their customers’ networks and servers. But later on, they expanded their range of services in a way to differentiate themselves from competing providers.

Dynamix Solutions offers solutions for its customers by providing IT outsourcing, desktop support, network security, remote IT support, help desk support, and computer and network support, to name a few.

In more recent years, MSPs have been facing the challenge of cloud computing. As more IT infrastructures segments move to the cloud, MSPs have had to discover ways to manage these combinations of cloud environments. This is where the rise the cloud-based backup and disaster recovery emerged from.

Customer Base and Business Model

The average MSP customers are small and medium-sized businesses. Many of the smaller companies have limited IT capabilities in-house, so hiring an MSP is a way to obtain the expertise they need. There is also the possibility of larger enterprises to contract an MSP such as government agencies that are facing hiring limitations and budget pressure.

A typical MSP subscription model allows customers of any size the advantage of predictable IT supports costs. Most MSPs take a proactive approach, which help to prevent IT problem from occurring and disturb your company’s business operations.

When working with an MSP, there are usually two different service platforms that it will offer — managed contracts and break/fix. On a managed contract, the business will pay the MSP a predetermined fee every month to watch and maintain its systems. If something happens to break, the MSP will come out and fix it at no additional cost. The break/fix platform is exactly what you think — when something breaks on a customer’s computer, the MSP will come out to fix it.

How MSPs can help your company

Once you choose to use an MSP, they will meticulously review all of your company’s current processes, including but not limited to: how you store contracts, the way you process payroll, or how your company manages its relationships with your suppliers. From there, they will be able to find opportunities to maximize savings and reduce the overall spend of your organization while maintaining efficiency. MSPs also find the challenges and liabilities within your current processes that you might not even be aware of.

Once the initial review is complete, MSPs create custom solutions based on your company needs. Based on these new solutions, they will begin to provide your company with ongoing maintenance and support of the new processes in place.

Since your company now has its IT infrastructure taken care of, you and your employees can focus on your core business, such as growth, strategies and direction. It is also helpful that your systems have enhanced accuracy, cost savings, and reduced liabilities.

An MSP will act as a continuation of your team by providing great value and help your organization succeed. If you are interested in learning about Toronto or Calgary MSPs further or expanding your team, be sure to contact Dynamix Solutions today! Solutions today!