A Managed Service Provider (MSP) is a third-party company that offers managed IT service solutions to another business or organization. Small and medium-sized firms that do not have the scale or necessity for an in-house IT department will hire an MSP to provide them with IT services.
Hiring an MSP can be an efficient way to manage your business IT concerns, from cloud storage to cybersecurity. Keep reading to learn more about what an MSP can do for you and whether you should hire one for your business.
What does a Managed Service Provider Do?
Also known as Managed IT services, MSPs provide a lot of value to small and mid-sized firms that do not require full-time IT support staff. By hiring an MSP, you can liberate yourself from IT concerns, knowing that professionals are taking care of your hardware and software needs.
An MSP can:
- Set up IT infrastructure and provide ongoing maintenance and service.
- Provide cybersecurity solutions, as well as employee cybersecurity training and procedures.
- Manage wired and wireless communication devices, including VOIP.
- Provide tech support to staff whenever needed.
- Manage data, including data backup and recovery.
- Provide server and network solutions.
As you can see, an MSP can help you offload all of your tech and security concerns so that you can focus on running your business without tech hiccups.
Types of MSPs
One of the most significant benefits of MSPs is their flexibility. As such, you can find many types of MSPs that can suit your business needs. Below are some of the most common types of MSP services.
Managed Support Services
These MSPs allow you to contact a remote support specialist to help you troubleshoot any tech issues that you or your staff may encounter. The beauty of these services is that you can access a certified tech specialist right away and drastically reduce the time troubleshooting tech issues.
Managed Data and Security
Do you have a plan in place in case your company data is breached or jeopardized? Data loss is one of those situations where, unfortunately, most people learn by experience that it pays off to be prepared ahead of time.
A data and security MSP can help you secure, store, and recover your data to prevent any breaches or losses.
Managed Cloud Infrastructure
Cloud services can give a lot of flexibility to most businesses, allowing staff members to access essential data and software while away from the office. An MSP can help you set up and run your cloud infrastructure to give your employees more flexibility.
Managed Networks & Servers
Hiring an MSP to handle your networks and servers is a great way to prevent downtime due to broken or unresponsive servers. An MSP can monitor and scale servers to avoid any disruptions of service.
How to Choose a Managed Service Provider
Finding the right MSP can be a challenge, especially if you don’t have much experience in the tech world. Consider the following when choosing an MSP for your business:
- Security track record
- Expertise and proven experience
- Range of services offered
- Customization and willingness to be flexible
- Customer support and responsiveness
- Cost
If you’re in the Washington, DC area and are looking for an MSP, ComTech Systems Inc can help you forget about your business’s IT problems. With years of experience serving people in Maryland, Virginia, and DC, we can provide the solutions you need. Contact us today to get started.