We’re a managed service provider (MSP). (We’re also a cybersecurity firm. We’ve written about that here.) So, it shouldn’t be surprising that we have a pretty high opinion of MSPs. But we’re not naïve. We recognize that not all MSPs are built alike. Accordingly, we thought we’d offer a balanced perspective on the matter.
Opinions of MSPs vary depending on the context and the perspective of the individuals or organizations involved. There are, however, some common themes among those opinions. We’ll offer them as pros and cons.
Pro
Many people and businesses consider MSPs to be cost-effective ways to manage their IT infrastructures and services. By outsourcing IT management to MSPs, companies can often reduce their operational costs compared to hiring and maintaining an in-house IT team. Similarly, MSPs are often perceived as having specialized expertise in various areas of IT, such as cybersecurity, cloud computing, network management, and data analytics. That expertise can be valuable for businesses that lack the resources or knowledge to handle these tasks internally.
MSPs often provide scalable offerings that can be tailored to the specific needs of businesses, allowing them to adapt to changing requirements and to scale up or down as needed. As is the case for our clients, we help by managing their software licensing, updates, upgrades to their environment, and much more, to fit their changing needs and goals. That flexibility is especially valuable for small and medium-sized businesses that may not have the resources to support rapid growth or fluctuations in demand. And by outsourcing IT management to MSPs, businesses can free up internal resources and focus on their core competencies and strategic objectives. This can lead to increased productivity, more innovation, and competitive edges in their marketplaces.
Advanced MSPs will prioritize proactive communication and take care of you even before you need them. Whether it’s through their Service Desk, a Client Success Team, or Quarterly Business Reviews – or a combination of the three like we employ – these proactive measures can help mitigate typical roadblocks before they happen, while ensuring that your team stays adaptable to your changing business landscape.
Con
On the other hand, despite the benefits, some businesses may have concerns about the security and reliability of outsourcing critical IT functions to third-party MSPs. The prospect of things like data breaches, downtime, and service interruptions can undermine trust in MSPs and lead to skepticism about the effectiveness of outsourcing IT services.
In the extreme, entrusting key IT functions to MSPs can create a fear of dependency on external providers and prompt questions about whether businesses can retain control over their IT infrastructures and their decision-making. Some businesses may be prohibitively reluctant to relinquish control or feel uncomfortable relying on external partners for critical IT services.
More Cons to Consider
- Poor response time and frequency of contact. Don’t settle for a “set it and forget it” mentality with your provider.
- Reporting gaps – or sometimes no reporting – from the provider on key performance metrics. If your MSP isn’t providing Quarterly Business Reviews, why not?
- Change orders and nickel-and-diming the client for every little thing. “That wasn’t included” isn’t a good excuse for poor service.
On Balance
There’s a generally positive perception of MSPs due to their cost-effectiveness, expertise, and flexibility. But some businesses have understandable concerns about security, reliability, dependency, and control when considering outsourcing IT services to MSPs. That’s why we have a Client Success Team, a help desk, flat pricing per service, and cybersecurity services bundled with our managed IT services.
The bottom line is this: If you think your business could benefit from the services of an MSP, do your homework. Better yet, call us. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and to address your concerns.
We’re Rhodian Group. We believe trust is an asset.
Contact us today. We’d like to earn your trust.
