Enhancing a Small Business’s Chances of Growth Using Managed Service Providers

Present day technology is a complete contrast to the past and it has since also gotten more complex due to the introduction of multiple innovations such as AI and IoT. But, the world has also been noticing an increase in the occurrence of cybercrimes which requires immediate attention. Though organizations have their own teams to carry out the task of making the online portals safe for their employees, it requires external support in a lot of cases.

Managed Service Providers and Their Growth Over the Years

A managed service provider also called an MSP usually deals with a company’s IT services. They can work in tandem with the organization’s in-house IT staff while providing services that compromise of setup, configuration and installation. Instead of jumping in during crisis situations, the MSPs usually provide constant support to the organization’s IT infrastructure ensuring services is available at all times. MSPs ensure that they’re up-to-date with technology to provide the best solutions. They also give a large significance to risk within their business model.

One of the high-in-demand services from MSPs is that of cybersecurity solutions. Companies are migrating their data to the cloud as it is cost-effective and accessible. This also opens them up to a new set of vulnerabilities which is why MSPs play an important role in securing systems. These services are also primarily used in sectors such as education and energy/utility.

Education in particular garnered a large amount of attention from IT service providers amidst the pandemic. This was mainly because schools and universities shifted to online learning which enhanced the need for online security practices and updates to their IT infrastructure. On the other hand, the energy and utility sectors required efficiency and elasticity. The utility industry is more vulnerable to cybercrimes due to its supporting critical infrastructure. Their usage of IoT devices and other industrial control systems leaves them further vulnerable to the same. Thus a majority of the industries have been relying on MSPs to provide better security and to ensure the continuity of their processes.

Small Businesses Seeing MSPs as an Ideal Solution

MSPs are a popular choice among small businesses as they help in securing the companies data irrespective of the industry. Some of the sectors which are bound to see the presence of managed service provider among them are –

1. Healthcare
2. Manufacturing
3. Telecom
4. Education
5. Media and Entertainment
6. Consumer Goods and Retail

One of the growing trends within the managed service market has been to specialize in specific domains which led them towards taking an unconventional approach. This is especially noticeable when sectors require specialized services such as healthcare and critical infrastructure. Companies face a variety of technological advancements like cloud migration, implementing collaborative tools and improving the security framework. MSPs play a significant role in providing the right support for the company’s requirements.

Smaller businesses struggle to remain in the market while maintaining their technology. This is why they opt to obtain services from MSPs as they’re able to provide the optimal solutions while being cost effective. MSPs also ensure that they train the team members to keep them updated about the latest technologies and tools. This allows the businesses to progress while aligning their processes and implementing new technologies. Hence, the managed services market has witnessed a significant growth.

About the Author(s)

   

Urvasi Talekar

Urvasi Talekar is presently working as a content writing professional and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. One of her biggest assets is her words, as she believes in using them to help manifest her thoughts onto paper or screen. She mostly prefers the old school style of writing on paper and hence is a stationery enthusiast as well. During her off times she loves the company of books, good music, and great food. Urvasi, is also a dancer with a training experience of over 5 years in Bharatnatyam. Post work, you can find her honing and brushing up on this age-old passion for dance.