{"id":7637,"date":"2021-09-15T16:26:08","date_gmt":"2021-09-15T14:26:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/?p=7637"},"modified":"2021-09-15T16:26:09","modified_gmt":"2021-09-15T14:26:09","slug":"managed-service-provider-msp-their-definition-how-the-work-types-and-what-they-are-used-for","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/managed-service-provider-msp-their-definition-how-the-work-types-and-what-they-are-used-for\/","title":{"rendered":"managed service provider (MSP)-their definition, how the work, types and what they are used for."},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time-approximately:<\/span> 6<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\n

A managed service provider (MSP) is a third-party company that remotely manages a customer’s information technology (IT) infrastructure and end-user systems.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By Alexander S. Gillis<\/a> and John Moore<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), nonprofits and government agencies hire MSPs to perform a defined set of day-to-day management services. These services may include network and infrastructure management, security and monitoring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MSPs often handle management services on a daily basis so customer organizations can focus on improving their services without worrying about extended system downtimes or service interruptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While some MSPs may specialize in specific segments of IT, such as data storage, others focus on specific vertical markets, such as legal, financial services, healthcare or manufacturing. Managed security service providers, for instance, offer specialized types of services, such as remote firewall administration and other security-as-a-service offerings.\u00a0Managed print service\u00a0providers maintain printers and supply consumables. Often, MSPs perform their tasks remotely over the internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"This
This image shows six benefits MSPs provide to an IT environment.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The evolution of MSPs began in the 1990s with the emergence of application service providers (ASPs), which offered a level of service for remote application hosting. ASPs helped pave the way for cloud computing and companies that would provide remote support for customers’ IT infrastructure. MSPs initially focused on the remote monitoring and management (RMM) of servers and networks. Over time, they have expanded the scope of their services as a way to differentiate themselves from other providers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, the terms\u00a0cloud service provider<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0managed service provider<\/em>\u00a0are sometimes used synonymously when the provider’s service is supported by a service-level agreement (SLA) and is delivered over the internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/Hp2IuJeteBk\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What are MSPs used for?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hiring a managed service provider can help an organization improve its operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SMBs are typical MSP customers. Many smaller companies have limited in-house IT capabilities, so they may view an MSP’s service offering as a way to obtain IT expertise. But larger enterprises may also contract with MSPs. For example, government agencies facing budget pressures and hiring limitations may contract with an MSP to supplement their in-house IT staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MSPs handle the complex, consuming or repetitive work involved in the management of IT infrastructure or end-user systems. MSPs typically do the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n