IT is complicated, often demanding unnecessary time and resources for businesses that aren’t prepared. For many companies, partnering with professionals who thoroughly understand their needs can lead to more efficient practices.
This makes it important to distinguish between the different models of IT delivery that companies have to choose from. Whether it’s MSP or time and materials, companies need to plan effectively to get by in a competitive market.
What Is the MSP Model?
The Managed Service provider (MSP) model refers to third-party solutions that provide basic services and infrastructure for a fee. The MSP model is especially effective for smaller organizations that don’t have much surplus capital to focus on other solutions.
The MSP model is a great way for businesses to fulfill their day-to-day needs without having to make long-term investments in costly IT services.
What Is the Time and Materials Model?
In contrast to the MSP model, the time and materials model refers to front-facing payments and costs based on hourly work and project scope. For many organizations, the time and materials model has been a go-to option for delivering work based on need, but it has its limitations, especially when compared to the MSP model.
What Makes the MSP Model Work Better?
The MSP model has become a popular alternative to the time and materials model due to its advantages when outsourcing. It offers a more comprehensive approach that allows businesses to invest in the solutions that work for them, no matter what stage of growth they’re in.
Having access to a computing platform preconfigured to suit your needs has many benefits. Whether it’s saving you money or giving you easy access to the latest services, you’ll find that the MSP model fits right in with your existing platform.
1. Expectations are Defined
With an MSP, the expectations of the service provider are clear, and there’s no question as to whether a specific service or option is available to you.
For example, you won’t have to wonder whether a time and materials charge is valid. The client and vendor will also have a common platform for determining the warranty status or other important product information. Thanks to a clear, upfront contract, you’ll eliminate a lot of little disputes that can add up over time and only add to the stress of your work.
2. Proactive Instead of Reactive
Issues such as unexpected downtime can harm the delivery of service, making it essential for organizations to ensure continuous operations. But MSPs take a proactive approach by providing monitoring for servers, workstations, and all other network points, allowing you to plan for outages and other incidents before issues arise.
A backup plan protects you against unanticipated outages and other circumstances outside your control. MSPs provide this backup plan with services like remote monitoring and system recovery, allowing you to keep your business going no matter what.
3. Professional Support Options
Employees can sometimes find it difficult to keep up with the demands of their role. Having the necessary resources readily available can go a long way in improving their performance and job satisfaction.
But an MSP makes it easier for tech support to respond to requests by giving each employee the ability to create support tickets. This frees up office managers by eliminating the need to filter all client requests through a single point of contact.
With an MSP, you won’t have to wonder whether your employees are being taken care of. MSPs provide a professional source of information that individuals can access at any time to answer questions or clarify technical details.
4. Flat Rates
It can be difficult for companies to invest in infrastructure and fill critical IT roles, as open positions and outdated equipment can create a huge drag on a company’s bottom line. But the MSP model gives you a flat monthly fee rather than hitting you with sudden and unexpected costs, so you can easily manage your budget.
An MSP provides a contingent workforce and on-demand equipment, allowing you to only invest what you need. This money-saving measure is essential for smaller businesses that want to be able to compete against their larger peers. This benefits both the MSP and the client for their staffing and budget needs.
5. Personalized Care
When outsourcing IT, organizations can suffer from an inability to truly connect with their support providers. On the other hand, an MSP creates better employee relationships because they work to understand your company’s culture and unique needs. This prevents feeling like your organization is working with some nebulous, unnamed “IT guy” whenever they need help.
6. Better Infrastructure
MSPs provide ongoing consulting and repair services to deliver tailored solutions capable of optimizing your network and connected devices, all for a fraction of the cost of hiring full-time workers to do the same thing. Thanks to an MSP’s reliable prevention and recovery strategies, you’ll have access to comprehensive IT services that keep the entire network managed, documented, and secure.
7. Delivery at Scale
The MSP model provides tailored technical solutions bundled into a single, affordable system. Whether your business is scaling up or down, this model offers a solution for the evolving needs of your IT infrastructure.
The Right MSP Makes IT Simple
More organizations are discovering how the MSP model can transform their approach to IT. From personalized support to the assurance of an updated Infrastructure, it’s no wonder companies are waking up to the benefits that an MSP can bring to their organization.
With so many options to choose from, it’s important to make sure you find the MSP that works for you. Outsourcing, digital security, and remote management are just a few of the services you should consider when choosing an MSP.
AngelCom’s IT consulting is focused on delivering tailored solutions to companies, ensuring they have the best technology for their needs. We have decades of experience in IT, making us the perfect partner for companies on any budget.
There’s no reason to be overwhelmed by the complexities of modern technology. AngelCom makes IT simple. Contact us today for your free assessment.