A Managed Service Provider’s (MSP) and Cloud Service Provider’s (CSP) goals at a high level are quite simple. While MSP’s and CSP’s perform a wide array of tasks, they can all be funneled into four (4) major functions. These functions are:
1. Keeping Clients Viable with Proactive IT Management
Understanding the client’s needs surfaces to the top no matter how you engage. In technology, do not blink, or your will miss the next tool or service to help move your client forward and remain viable. Technology MSPs and CSPs must be adaptable and always look over the horizon and interpret what might be next and how to apply “next” to their client’s needs and direction. Forward thinking and preparation help ensure they remain innovative and adaptable.
2. Reducing Risk Exposure Through Strategic IT Services
Reducing a client’s risk is what helps them remain viable and this can be tricky. A few common approaches are:
- Depth in Defense security modeling
- Real-time monitoring and fraud detection Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and better still, an Extended Detection and Response (XDR) approach
- Automation so that human error is significantly reduced
- Risk modeling to predict trending more accurately to local, country, and world scenarios
- Staying current with system security patches and cyber security trends through security training
3. Data Protection as a Core Function of IT Management
Through reducing client’s risk exposure, we are well on our way to protecting the client’s data. And we need to backup this data. Backing up data also means that we perform mock recoveries to ensure the data can be recovered, if needed, and the backup process works as designed. This also provides us a solid window of how much time will it take to recover the data and does it meet your Recovery Time Objective (RTO).
Immutable backups are also critical to the integrity of the data. Data that is immutable means that it cannot be altered. If you do have a virus of some nature or malware infected live data, you know that your backups do not contain the bad content. Immutable backups can be restored without infection and you are back in business.
4. Delivering Value Through Managed IT Services
Client value is not a do this or do that. Rather, the value you bring to your client is determined and measured by each client as the value to one client may not be value to another. However, there are a few value propositions that ring true no matter what. These are:
- Improving the client experience. Technology is not necessarily fun, but we need to make it enjoyable by not having technology interfere with the day-to-day operations
- Processes need to be streamline with less interaction
- Improved accessibility
- Ways and means that provide better data insight
- Improved security without burden to the client
- Reduced costs
Measuring Success: How MSPs and CSPs Use KPIs to Deliver Value
No matter how a client measures the above, MSPs and CSPs need to deliver it. When we perform, the client gains benefit. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are the yard stick from which a client can determine whether the technology is delivering what they need. The outcome of an MSP or CSP will always need refinement and do the solutions you bring to your clients meet that goal?
Contact ION Technology Group for Expert IT Management Support
Contact ION Technology Group today to learn more about how your business can benefit from viability, risk protection, data protection, and value. Contact ION at 1.856.719.1818 to learn more or setup an appointment to discuss your technology position and prowess.
