The Future of IT Management: The MSP
The IT world and its services are constantly changing, and as the needs of companies are growing and becoming more advanced, the systems being used to run daily operations have become more complicated too. This is where choosing the right kind of IT staff becomes very important, and in most cases the decision comes down to developing an In-House IT staff, or retain an MSP (Managed Service Provider).
Weather you have a small business or a massive Fortune 500 company, the fact that IT knowledge and services are a necessity remains the same. The big difference between a small company and a larger one is that the size may play a factor in which type of IT service you are more interested in. The larger the company is, the larger the IT staff needs to be to maintain the systems and network.
In-House IT Staff vs. Managed Service Provider
There can be several benefits to providing In-House IT support. It allows you to become less dependent on external suppliers by building up your company’s knowledge from within, which can also mean that your In-House IT staff will develop a good understanding of how your IT systems relate to your business needs. This can help your staff resolve problems quicker and recommend suitable improvements. However, it is important to keep in mind that it is difficult for a small IT staff to develop enough expertise and stay current in all areas of day to day IT support. So, unless you are a very large company able to employ a large In-House IT staff with multiple areas of expertise, an In-House IT staff may not keep you fully covered on the technological front.
In the past 10 years MSP’s have become more sought after in the IT field. Managed Service companies are basically outsourced IT staff, and normally are operated by a wide range of technical professionals. These companies often work from their own office using remote services to log into and troubleshoot their clients’ technology. Rather than paying salaries to IT staff, companies negotiate a service contract with MSP’s usually based on a flat monthly fee or sometimes an hourly rate is used.
There is a long list of benefits to working with a MSP, especially if you have a small to medium sized business. Some of the most noteworthy benefits are listed below:
- Reduced Labor & Office Costs: Cost reduction is the main benefit in working with a MSP rather than hiring In-House IT staff. The MSP allows you to benefit from high quality IT management at a lower cost, because the cost will already be determined by a contractual agreement up front for the services and protection you need. It also frees up valuable office space which is no longer needed for IT staff.
- Broader Scope of Knowledge: Another huge advantage to having an MSP manage your IT requirements is they remove the burden of day-to-day IT management, and are also extremely knowledgeable in diverse areas of IT management gaining vast experience due to working with numerous clients with varying infrastructures.
- Reduced Risk: MSP companies will often take on and manage many of the risks associated with various technologies, and due to their higher level of expertise in the field, MSP’s have the knowledge to help you make informed choices.
- Security: By working with an MSP you will have the assurance that your IT manager is someone familiar with PCI Compliance Standards, ensuring your business stays up to date and compliant while handling sensitive business data, credit card numbers, etc.
Although both models have their pro’s and con’s, MSP’s are proving to be the future of IT management. From cost efficiency and risk management to deeply qualified tech’s, it’s hard to see why businesses wouldn’t look into what an MSP can do for them and take advantage of using a MSP.