Running a business today requires a strategic I.T. foundation. Research shows that top-performing companies are 4.2 times more likely to leverage managed services partnerships for competitive advantage, proving that MSPs can be more than just I.T. support. They can be a driving force for business growth.
Yet, many businesses fail to unlock the full potential of their MSP partnerships due to unclear communication, misaligned I.T. strategies, and missed opportunities.
“At Attentus Technologies, we believe a successful MSP relationship goes beyond routine support. It’s about proactively aligning IT with your business vision for long-term success.” – Charles Bender, CEO of Attentus Technologies
In this blog, we’ll cover essential strategies to maximize the value of your MSP, helping you align I.T. services with your business goals, strengthen communication, and unlock the full potential of managed services.
Know What You’re Paying For: Understanding Your MSP’s Service Offerings
One of the primary reasons businesses fail to extract value from their MSP is not fully understanding what they are paying for. Most MSPs offer services beyond basic I.T. support, so you must know exactly what the agreement includes.
Without this understanding, it’s easy to overlook additional features that can significantly enhance your business operations. Your MSP should provide more than just standard support. They should be helping to streamline your operations, secure your network, and ensure your business’s technology is scalable.
Let’s break down some of the key services your MSP should be providing:
24/7 I.T. support
You must have access to support at all times. Downtime can result in lost revenue, so having a team available around the clock ensures your business can keep running without interruption.
Network monitoring and management
Proactive network monitoring is essential to detect potential issues before they escalate into full-blown problems. By ensuring that your network is continually being watched over, you reduce the chances of facing unexpected outages or security breaches that can cripple your business.
Data backup and disaster recovery
Your MSP should ensure that your business data is regularly backed up and can be quickly recovered in the event of a disaster. Whether it’s a ransomware attack, system failure, or natural disaster, having a solid recovery plan reduces the chances of data loss and protects your business from potential threats.
The services listed above are foundational, but they’re just the beginning. Ask your MSP about additional services like I.T. consulting, cybersecurity assessments, or cloud migration.
If you’re not using these services, you may be missing out on valuable opportunities to streamline your I.T. operations and improve efficiency.
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How to Build a Productive Relationship with Your MSP
Getting the most out of your MSP involves building a collaborative, long-term relationship. Your MSP isn’t just a vendor that fixes problems when they arise—it should be a strategic partner that helps drive your business forward.
To ensure your MSP is a valuable partner, here are some key steps:
Set clear expectations
It’s vital to clearly define your I.T. needs, support levels, and the kind of results you expect from your MSP. This can include response times, frequency of check-ins, and how issues are escalated.
Communicate regularly
Establish ongoing communication to keep the relationship strong. You should not only wait for problems to arise to reach out to your MSP.
Regularly reviewing performance, discussing challenges, and planning for future I.T. needs can keep your business ahead of the curve.
Align I.T. with business goals
Work with your MSP to ensure that your I.T. infrastructure is directly aligned with your business objectives. The better your MSP understands your long-term vision, the more they can help you select technologies and implement solutions that will enable you to grow and adapt over time.
By maintaining an open, clear line of communication, you and your MSP can work together to proactively address issues, identify opportunities for improvement, and stay aligned with your business’s evolving needs.
Evaluate MSP Performance and ROI
Simply partnering with an MSP isn’t enough. You need to evaluate their performance regularly and whether the services you’re paying for are delivering the desired results.
Two of the most important metrics for evaluating your MSP are MSP performance and ROI (Return on Investment).
Here are some ways to assess whether your MSP is delivering on your expectations:
Cost savings
Look at the savings you’ve made due to proactive I.T. management. If your MSP has successfully minimized downtime or prevented costly data breaches, you should see a positive financial impact.
Efficiency improvements
Has the performance of your systems improved since partnering with your MSP? For example, are your team members able to work more efficiently due to faster systems, better collaboration tools, or improved network reliability?
Compliance and security
A key role of your MSP is ensuring your business stays compliant with industry regulations and protecting it against security threats. Evaluate whether your MSP has implemented effective cybersecurity measures and helped you meet necessary compliance standards.
To ensure you’re receiving maximum value from your investment, it’s crucial to regularly measure these factors.
Using an MSP ROI calculator can help you gauge the effectiveness of the services provided and determine whether you’re getting the value you expect.
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Leverage the Full Potential of Your MSP’s Value-Added Services
Often, businesses only use the basic services included in their MSP contracts. But many MSP benefits go underutilized. These value-added services are where the real power of an MSP lies.
These could include:
- Security assessments: Ensuring your data and systems are protected against evolving threats.
- IT consulting: Expert advice on how to align your I.T. with your business goals.
- Cloud migration services: Helping you move to the cloud with minimal disruption.
- Compliance management: Keeping your business in line with industry standards and regulations.
These services may not always be obvious, but they can be incredibly valuable. By tapping into these offerings, you can improve your operational efficiency, security, and scalability. Don’t be afraid to ask your MSP about services that could further enhance your business operations.
Utilize Your MSP for Long-Term I.T. Planning
Your MSP is not just here to handle immediate I.T. issues. A good MSP should be helping you plan for the future. This involves:
- Budgeting for I.T. costs: Your MSP can help you plan for future I.T. needs, including hardware upgrades, software purchases, and additional support.
- Technology roadmaps: Align your I.T. strategy with your business goals. Whether you’re looking to expand or improve efficiency, your MSP should provide a roadmap for how I.T. can support your growth.
- Scalability: As your business grows, your I.T. needs will evolve. Your MSP should offer scalable solutions that can expand with you.
Plan with your MSP to avoid the need for emergency I.T. fixes and ensure that your I.T. systems are always aligned with your business’s long-term goals.
Key Signs That Your MSP Is Delivering Real Value
How do you know if you’re truly getting value from your MSP? Here are a few key signs to look for:
- Reduced downtime: You notice fewer interruptions in your operations.
- Improved system performance: Your systems are running faster and more securely.
- Proactive solutions: Your MSP identifies potential issues before they turn into problems.
- Regular reviews: You have frequent check-ins with your MSP to ensure alignment with business goals.
Tracking these signs will help you gauge whether your MSP is adding the expected value to your business. If you’re not seeing these results, it may be time to adjust your contract or explore new options.
Comparing MSP Services and Their Value to Your Business
In this section, let’s break down the most common MSP services and evaluate their value for your business.
| Service | Value for Your Business | Potential Cost Savings/Benefits |
| 24/7 IT support | Immediate issue resolution to prevent downtime | Reduces operational disruptions |
| Network monitoring | Prevents issues before they escalate | Minimizes costly repairs and downtime |
| Security services | Ensures protection from cyber threats | Reduces the risk of data breaches |
| Cloud services | Scalable I.T. infrastructure | Allows for cost-effective growth |
| Data backup & recovery | Quick recovery in case of a system failure | Minimizes data loss and downtime |
| Compliance management | Keeps your business aligned with regulations | Avoids costly fines and penalties |
Evaluating these services can help you understand the actual value of each offering, ensuring that you’re getting a comprehensive solution for your business’s I.T. needs.
Start Getting the Most Out of Your MSP Today with Attentus Technologies
Getting full value from your Managed Services Provider means ensuring I.T. services align with your business goals, reduce disruptions, and improve efficiency. A strong MSP partnership leads to better performance, cost savings, and long-term success.
At Attentus Technology, we deliver more than I.T. support. We provide measurable results. With 18 years of experience and a 97.5% customer satisfaction rating, we help businesses maximize their I.T. investment through proactive management, tailored solutions, and strategic I.T. planning.
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If your MSP isn’t delivering the reliability and efficiency you need, it’s time for a change. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and ensure your I.T. partner is working as hard as you are.
