What is a Managed Service Provider?

A Managed Service Provider (MSP) is an external service provider hired to oversee and administer IT services, including the management of networks, applications, infrastructure, and security, for a client company. The MSP takes on complete responsibility for these services and proactively identifies the required technologies and solutions to meet the client’s needs. Business of all sizes can utilize the skills of an MSP and they are hired to handle a set day to day task, mainly with IT help Desk, Infrastructure management, and remote monitoring.

The main selling point of an MSP is that your business’s technology will be able to running efficiently with very minimal hiccups or network interruptions.

Almost all MSPs focus on specific functions within IT, such as cyber security, employee training, network management or data storage.  Other MSPs take a different way of making them stand out, they target specific industries, such as non-profit, healthcare, accounting firms or manufacturing plants.

Types of Managed Service Providers

There are 8 different types of managed service providers. They all do different things based on their expertise in the information technology field.

1. Networking and Infrastructure

For companies varying and size and storage requirements, MSPs focusing on networking and infrastructure will provide server solutions. You business will be able to rent space on the MSPs server or hosted server. The servers will also be maintained by the MSP. Having a subscription with a Managed Service Provider that offers network infrastructure will also provide a back solutions as well.

2. Help Desk Services

A MSP that specializes in Help Desk Services offers general IT Support and will fixs issues such as technical issues, PC problems and password resets. Mainly, they will only cover devices such as computer, tablets and phones.

3. Security

Managed Security Services providers focus on making sure your organization’s network and devices are secure. They actively monitor your everything through their own software and most everything they use is cloud based. For an increased security they may put physical firewalls. Products offered by Managed Security Service Providers are:

• Firewall
• Virtual Private Networks (VPN)
• Intrusion Detection
• Anti-malware
• Anti-Virus
• Anti-spam
• Network security monitoring

4. IT Consulting

If you business or you are working for a business and you do not have an IT team, then you might want to look into an IT consulting firm. These MSPs focus on setting you up with the correct MSPs, optimize your infrastructure and create strategies to make your company successful.

5. Software as a Service

Managed SaaS takes all the communication out of software development for your business. These MSPs make sure all your software needs are taken care of by software modifications.

6. Communication Services

A MSP that specializes in communication makes sure your business has the power to communicate. They will make sure all of your communications are on the same network, monitored and accessible to all employees. Products a Managed Communications Services Provider provides:

• Email
• Phones
• Video Conferencing
• File Sharing
• Instant messaging
• Virtual Spaces

7. Cloud Services Provider

These Managed Service Providers build your IT infrastructure in the cloud. These MSPs will also migrate your network from a physical state to a cloud state. You might look into a cloud service provider if your business has a of of remote workers.

8. Managed Data Provider

These MSPs collect, analyze and protect user and customer data. With all the data they manage, they make sure it is easy to understand which helps you make informed business decisions.