What is a Managed Service Provider (MSP)?
A Managed Service Provider (MSP) is a third-party organization that remotely handles a customer’s IT infrastructure and end-user systems. MSPs are typically hired by small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), nonprofits, and government agencies to carry out a defined set of daily management services. These services can range from network and infrastructure management to security and monitoring.
MSPs emerged in the 1990s with the advent of application service providers (ASPs), which set the stage for cloud computing and companies that would provide remote support for clients’ IT infrastructure. MSPs initially concentrated on the remote monitoring and management (RMM) of servers and networks, but over time, they have broadened the scope of their services to differentiate themselves from other providers.
What are MSPs Used For?
MSPs are primarily used to help organizations improve their operations. Smaller companies with limited in-house IT capabilities are typical MSP customers, viewing an MSP’s service offering as a means to access IT expertise. However, larger enterprises and government agencies under budget pressures and hiring limitations may also contract with MSPs to supplement their in-house IT staff.
The tasks MSPs handle are often complex, consuming, or repetitive work involved in the management of IT infrastructure or end-user systems. These tasks include managing IT infrastructure, offering technical support to staff, adding cybersecurity software to IT, managing user access accounts, handling contract management, offering compliance and risk management, and providing payroll services【9†source】.
How do MSPs Work?
The interaction between an MSP and an organization usually begins with an assessment that determines the organization’s current environment, potentially highlighting areas for improvement and how to adequately support business goals. MSPs can provide many different service options to meet an organization’s needs, including technical support fix services and subscription services.
With technical support fix services, MSPs focus on remotely fixing issues or dispatching technicians to a business’s location to resolve any problems. MSPs that offer a subscription service model work on improving an organization’s network quality of service and usually bill customers monthly. If an issue arises, the MSP will address the problem as part of the agreement between the organization and the MSP.
AOM Partner and Its Role in MSP Ecosystem
AOM is a part of the MSP ecosystem, providing tools and services to help MSPs, channel partners, and value-added resellers (VARs) improve their profitability. They offer a tool that enhances client IT spend and management, with a focus on automating asset lifecycle management. This tool provides vital insights that can lead to improved productivity and profitability for MSPs and their clients.
The services and tools provided by AOM can be accessed immediately, making it easier for MSPs and other IT service providers to start improving their operations and financial performance.
AOM has made it easy to track your clients’ assets, increase incremental revenue, and more with our cloud-based portal, Epicenter. With the free portal, you can easily extend the life of IT assets, make purchases, and send instant contract renewal quotes, all with minimal training.
Portal Features and Benefits
- Secure and Reliable
- Integrated Service Delivery
- Global Assets and Global Access
- Data Management
- Multiple Users and Role Based Access
- Portal Customization
- Alerts and Notifications
- Login and Manage your Assets from Anywhere
- Automated Quoting
- Easy to Learn
Summing It Up!
In conclusion, Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are vital third-party companies that provide comprehensive IT management services to organizations of various sizes. Their role is crucial in today’s business environment as they help organizations focus on their core competencies by taking over the management of complex, repetitive, or resource-consuming IT tasks. They provide a range of services under a Service Level Agreement (SLA) ensuring quality and performance. As for AOM, it presents promising tools for MSPs, designed to automate asset lifecycle management and improve productivity and profitability.