MANAGED SERVICE PROVIDER

BYAsif Iqbal

Introduction

Definition - A managed service provider (MSP) is a company that remotely manages a customer's IT infrastructure and/or end-user systems, typically on a proactive basis and under a subscription model.Managed Services is the proactive management of an IT (Information Technology) asset or object, by a third party typically known as a MSP, on behalf of a customer. The operative distinction that sets apart a MSP is the proactive delivery of their service, as compared to reactive IT services, which have been around for decades.

Typically, MSPs will have the following distinguishing characteristics:

• Have some form of Network Operation Centre (NOC) service

• Have some form of service or help desk service

• Be able to remotely monitor and manage all or a majority of the objects for the customer

• Proactively, compared to reactive, maintain the objects under management for the customer

• Delivery these solutions with some form of predictable billing model, where the customer knows with great accuracy what their regular IT management expense will be

Managed Services Characteristics

While the term MSP may be somewhat generic these days, there are many types of MSPs who deliver specific services or manage specific types of customers. Some of the more common types of solutions include security, storage, desktop, server, hosting, applications, and mobile device management.

Managed Services Specialties

NETWORK OPERATIONSREMOTE ACCESS, TELEWORKING

Server Management

Desktop Computing ServicesSeat Management

Help Desk Services

Application Development & Maintenance

SYSTEMS & DATA CENTER SUPPORT

DATA STORAGE

Messaging ServicesSecurity & Privacy Operations

Hardware Deployment & Support

DISASTER RECOVERYCall Center Services

Just like there are many types of service offerings, there are many types of vertical markets MSPs service. For example, banking, financial services, health care, and legal, are just a few of the vertical markets that have shown high demand for managed services for the last two decades.

Managed Services Vertical Markets

Background about MSPMSPs usually charge a flat monthly fee under the subscription model. This approach provides the MSP with a monthly recurring revenue-stream, in contrast to IT projects that tend to be one-time transactions. MSPs often provide their offerings under a service-level agreement, a contractual arrangement between the MSP and its customer that spells out the performance and quality metrics that will govern the relationship.To keep labour costs in check and improve efficiency, most MSPs employ remote monitoring and management (RMM) software to keep tabs on clients' IT functions. RMM software lets MSPs remotely troubleshoot and remediate issues with servers and endpoint devices. With RMM, MSPs can manage numerous customers' IT systems simultaneously.

Managed services work differs from other business models in the IT solution provider and channel partner space. One key departure is recurring revenue. Solutions providers pursuing the break/fix model, for example, usually price their services on a time-and-materials basis, billing an hourly rate for repairing a customer's IT equipment and charging for parts or replacement gear. Companies performing IT project work, such as computer systems installation and integration, may charge a fixed price for products and services. Either way, those solutions providers generate revenue on a one-time basis from each project; an exception would be large projects with multiple milestones and associated payments. But, in general, the conventional solution provider business is mainly transactional. An MSP's recurring revenue stream, on the other hand, potentially provides a more stable and predictable base of business. The prospect of recurring revenue has attracted many traditional solution provider companies, such as value-added resellers, to the MSP business model. However, would-be MSPs have struggled to establish themselves in the market. The MSP line of business calls for companies to adopt different performance metrics, technology infrastructure components and sales compensation programs, to name a few challenges. As a result, many MSPs derive revenue from business lines other than managed services, such as IT project work and break/fix business. Pure-play MSPs are relatively rare in the IT services industry.

How it differs from other business models -

Small and medium-sized businesses are typical MSP customers. Many smaller companies have limited in-house IT capabilities, so may view an MSP's offering as a way to obtain IT expertise. Larger enterprises may also contract with MSPs, however. For example, government agencies, facing budget pressure and hiring limitations, may contract with an MSP to supplement in-house IT staff. The MSP subscription model provides customers of all sizes the advantage of predictable IT support costs. And because MSPs take a proactive approach, they may be able to prevent IT problems from occurring and therefore from disrupting business operations.

Who are MSP Customers ?

The evolution of MSPs began in the 1990s with the emergence of application service providers (ASPs), which offered remote application hosting services. ASPs helped pave the way for companies that would provide remote support for customers' IT infrastructure. MSPs, for the most part, initially focused on the remote monitoring and management of servers and networks. But over time, MSPs have expanded the scope of their services in a bid to differentiate themselves from other providers. MSPs now often remotely support a client's endpoint devices and have built offerings around mobile device management. Companies have also developed specializations: managed security services providers (MSSPs), for instance, offer services such as remote firewall administration and other security-as-a-service offerings. Managed print services providers, meanwhile, offload the task of maintaining printers and supplying consumables.

Evolution of MSP

Challenges for MSP

MSPs now face the challenge of cloud computing. As more of their customers' IT infrastructure components migrate to the cloud, MSPs have had to find ways to manage hybrid cloud environments. MSPs also seek to provide their own cloud services or resell other cloud provider capabilities, with cloud-based backup and disaster recovery a common entry point.

Why Use MSP?MSP helps control costs. Our program gives you a predictable, per employeeoperating cost model that is completely scalable to your changing needs.

MSP helps you deal with increasingly complex IT solutions. Our programkeeps you on top of the ever-changing hardware and software solutions at a fraction of what it would cost for you to do it in-house.

MSP gives you a better, more dependable IT infrastructure. Our programgives you a stable, dependable IT arm without stretching your own resources too thin.

MSP gives you a better understanding of your infrastructure and helps you easily maintain compliance. Our program includes constant monitoringof your system for anything that might put your IT environment in danger.

CONCLUSION

A managed services provider (MSP) is most often an information technology (IT) services provider that manages and assumes responsibility for providing a defined set of services to its clients either proactively or as the MSP (not the client) determines that services are needed. Most MSPs bill an upfront setup or transition fee and an ongoing flat or near-fixed monthly fee, which benefits clients by providing them with predictable IT support costs.