It is in this context that MSPs (Managed Services Providers) emerge, who are essentially expert partners in a wide range of IT services and play an essential role in process optimization, cost reduction, and information security. Read the article to learn about the functions of an MSP and why organizations—especially SMEs—are increasingly choosing to entrust their IT infrastructures to these partners.
A Managed Services Provider (MSP) is an outsourced IT service provider specializing in areas such as network and IT infrastructure management, cybersecurity, and system monitoring. SMEs are one of the main clients of MSPs, as they typically have a greater shortage of human resources and IT know-how, and thus benefit from the support of a partner specialized in the best practices and technologies in place.
The main difference between a Managed Services Provider and a traditional provider is that while the latter focuses on selling solutions on a transactional and short-term basis (such as purchasing and implementing hardware or software), an MSP invests in long-term partnerships with clients, providing services continuously. Thus, the client pays the MSP periodically (subscription model), which in turn ensures a set of personalized and “turnkey” services, freeing the client from the need to recruit internal IT teams.
Although many tasks are performed remotely, thanks to their high degree of specialization and advanced technology, the MSP provides daily support and constant monitoring of the client’s IT systems, intervening both preventively and reactively. The MSP acts quickly and proactively when external threats arise, which brings some advantages to the client: on one hand, they do not have to perform this monitoring themselves, and on the other, there is a lower probability of service interruptions and extended downtime.
Main Services and Functions of a Managed Services Provider
But before we look in detail at the main advantages of hiring an MSP, let’s understand what their main functions are:
- Real-time monitoring of systems, networks, and software
- Remote and on-site technical support
- Information security management and proactive and reactive cybersecurity services
- Data backup and recovery (disaster recovery)
- IT asset management to ensure compliance and resource optimization
- Server and desktop virtualization
- Migration, management, and optimization of resources in a cloud environment
- Configuration, monitoring, and maintenance of networks
- IT consulting and team training to make the most of the services provided
It is important to note that not all MSPs provide the same type of services; many focus on specific IT segments or target vertical markets such as financial services, healthcare, and/or others.
PONTUAL is the Managed Services Provider that provides services to all types of industries, focusing on areas such as cloud hosting, cybersecurity, disaster recovery, and also printing, ensuring the management of printing equipment, optimizing consumption, and promoting the environmental sustainability of companies.
Advantages of Hiring a Managed Services Provider
From resource optimization to cost reduction and increased efficiency, there are several advantages that lead more and more companies to choose to work with a Managed Services Provider. Stay informed about the main ones:
Greater Focus on Core Business
An MSP acts as your company’s IT department, freeing you from all concerns in the area and giving you more time to focus on managing and achieving results for your business;
Operational Efficiency
An MSP goes beyond managing your company’s IT systems and infrastructures, ensuring resource optimization and protection, reducing downtime, increasing productivity, and thus bringing more efficiency to your company’s processes.
Cost Reduction
Maintaining an internal IT team is more expensive than hiring an MSP, especially when considering the expenses related to hiring and training employees. On the other hand, with a Managed Services Provider, you will only pay for the services you need and can adjust them over time.
Information Security
MSPs like PONTUAL offer advanced cybersecurity services, monitoring suspicious activities and ensuring the protection of your systems against external threats.
Cutting-edge Technological Services
Thanks to their high level of specialization, an MSP is always up to date with the latest trends and adopts cutting-edge technologies to provide the best services to their clients. In the case of PONTUAL, we are partners with global IT service providers like Watchguard, Microsoft, or Acronis, who regularly release updates and new products to the market, ensuring their partners and, consequently, the end clients, solutions with high-quality standards.
Continuous Technical Support
MSPs are increasingly investing in 24/7 technical support, ensuring that any service disruption is quickly identified and resolved with minimal impact on business operations.
Data Backup and Recovery
Essential in the MSP solution portfolio, backup and disaster recovery services ensure that your business’s critical information is protected against accidental losses or cyberattacks.
Scalability
As your company grows, so do your IT needs. An MSP can scale services according to your needs, providing a flexible solution that adapts to the growth of your business.
Hiring an MSP: Practical Aspects
When a managed services provider receives a business contact, the first step is to analyze the potential client’s IT ecosystem. At PONTUAL, we conduct this assessment to identify potential gaps and which services best suit each case. After this diagnosis, we proceed to prepare a personalized service proposal that details the solutions designed for each client.
PONTUAL offers services under an SLA (Service Level Agreement), a contract between the two parties (MSP and client) that presents a set of performance and quality metrics for each of the services. The SLA also documents technical aspects such as response times and customer support, security and performance specifications, among others, such as the delivery of performance reports. Thus, whenever the client needs an intervention from the MSP, it should be covered by the SLA.
Hiring a Managed Services Provider is increasingly an option for clients from various industries who choose to entrust their IT operations to specialized partners. Cost reduction, access to innovative IT services, and advanced protection solutions are some of the factors that lead more and more SMEs (and not only!) to choose an MSP like PONTUAL to improve the efficiency of their operations.
Would you like to understand better why PONTUAL is the right MSP for you?
