Many small and medium-sized businesses rely on MSPs to bridge technology gaps, but often struggle to maximize the value they get from these partnerships.
Outsourcing I.T. operations is an intelligent way to ensure organizational success and continuity in today’s constantly evolving business models, technology, and challenges. It lets you leverage a managed service provider’s (MSP’s) deep expertise, insights, and technical knowledge for advanced solutions that may be more expensive or harder to deliver using an in-house team.
However, working with an MSP requires investment, making it essential to optimize this partnership for maximum value. This article offers actionable insights to help you achieve the full potential of your technology partnership.
What Is a Managed Service Provider?
An MSP is a third-party company that manages and delivers full or partial I.T. services to businesses based on specific needs. These services cover a range of operational essentials, including network administration, infrastructure support, cybersecurity, business continuity, and more. A good MSP not only manages daily operations but also provides strategic guidance to help ensure your technology aligns with business goals. The idea behind leveraging MSP support is to have your technology partner proactively assume responsibility for I.T. operations while you focus on core business functions.
Why Use a Managed Service Provider?
Top reasons why forward-thinking small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) outsource I.T. management include:
- Cost Efficiency: MSPs typically have a whole team of specialists and access to enterprise-grade technologies, making it possible to deliver top-notch I.T. services that may be cost-prohibitive to maintain in-house. Beyond allowing you to leverage economies of scale, MSPs also help save costs by avoiding downtime and data breaches and facilitating quick disaster recovery.
- 24/7 Support: MSPs offer round-the-clock I.T. monitoring and support, so you have peace of mind knowing they will promptly identify and address all emerging issues.
- Strategic I.T. Consulting: Beyond essential I.T. management, MSPs offer strategic advice on technology roadmaps and digital transformation initiatives so that your I.T. capabilities always align with business goals.
With these benefits, it’s easy to see how enormously valuable outsourcing I.T. management can be. However, you must choose a reliable partner to maximize your investment’s value. Our comprehensive MSP evaluation guide offers practical tips for sifting through the good and bad apples. Read it in full here.
Managing your MSP relationship is also crucial. This can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right mindset and foundation, you can overcome all hurdles.
4 Proven Strategies to Unlock Greater Value from Your MSP Now
Here are MSP strategies to help you get more value from your MSP now:
1. Communicate Your Business Goals and Objectives
Sharing your business goals, objectives, and growth plans is the surest path to a successful MSP alliance.
A policy of openness is always highly effective as it reflects the principles of organizational effectiveness methodologies: collaboration, communication, analysis, measurement, shared goals, and continuous improvement.
When your partner understands your vision and tailors their approach accordingly, interacting, working, and evolving together is more effortless. The MSP becomes part of your organization’s culture and structure, resulting in a net positive experience.
2. Remove Roadblocks to Boost MSP Efficiency.
To get the most out of your MSP, reduce or eliminate any roadblocks in your communication process. For instance, instead of routing I.T. issues through internal contacts, consider connecting directly with your MSP. This approach shortens response times and can significantly lower service costs.
Remember, your MSP is there to manage I.T. operations, not just support them. They’re responsible for identifying maintenance needs, upgrading software, pinpointing areas for staff training, and handling other I.T. concerns. By streamlining access and removing intermediaries, you empower your MSP to work efficiently and proactively, ultimately delivering more value to your business.
3. Engage Them Early When Adding New Tech
When adding new technology that may be valuable for your business, involving your MSP may not seem essential until after the purchase. But trust us when we tell you it is.
Seamless integration between new technology and existing infrastructure can only be assured through a comprehensive evaluation conducted before implementation. Adopting a “buy now, involve later” approach often necessitates retrofitting the new technology to align with your organization’s environment creating costly rework and delays due to last-minute integration challenges. Additional adjustments, such as enhancing security protocols, expanding server capacity, upgrading networking components, and implementing backup solutions—efforts that incur extra costs and reduce efficiency.
Engaging your I.T. provider early in the planning process helps you quickly determine how different solutions will work in your environment, allowing you to choose the best option.
Given that your MSP has the advantage of experience and knowledge, why not bounce ideas off them when deciding which upgrades deliver the best value for your business? Why spend hours researching something you could just ask them?
4. Leverage Other Services Your MSP offers
Consolidating I.T. services makes the most sense for SMB owners. In addition to streamlining operations, it reduces the hassle of dealing with multiple vendors and keeps overall I.T. costs down. Many MSPs go beyond typical helpdesk support to offer additional services, such as Voice over IP (VoIP), which can slash traditional phone bill costs by up to 50% while enhancing remote accessibility and productivity with advanced features. Leveraging these additional services can be a great way to maximize your managed services ROI.
Maximize Your I.T. Investment’s Value with Attentus
While taking steps to maximize the value of your MSP partnership is essential, the MSP’s approach to the relationship is equally impactful. At Attentus, we prioritize building trusted relationships through a commitment to accountability and consistently delivering on expectations. One of our core values, “be easy to work with,” reflects our dedication to simplifying the partnership process, ensuring a collaborative and efficient experience without unnecessary complexity.
Want to maximize your MSP value? We’d love to hear from you. Contact us now to start the conversation.
