Managed Services, Cloud

The Changing Role of the MSP in an aaS World

Chaz Hager August 01 2022

When it comes to the managed services profession, there have been some big changes in recent years. Perhaps most notably, the role of the MSP is evolving as more and more businesses move to a cloud-based or 'as-a-service' (aaS) model.

In this new environment, the MSP is no longer just responsible for keeping systems up and running; they are also tasked with helping organizations take advantage of the latest technologies and innovations. 

As a result, companies are increasingly looking for MSPs who can provide not only traditional support services but also offer strategic guidance and thought leadership. So what does this mean for the future of the MSP industry?

Why aaS for SMBs?

More and more businesses are finding that migrating to an as-a-service (aaS) platform can offer a number of advantages, especially for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). 

The benefits of migrating to an aaS platform include:  

  • A lower total cost of ownership (TCO): When you migrate to an aaS platform, you no longer have to bear the costs of owning and maintaining your own infrastructure. This can lead to significant savings in both capital and operational expenses. 

  • Increased agility and flexibility: An aaS platform can help your business become more agile and flexible, allowing you to respond quickly to changes in the market or your business environment. 

  • Improved scalability: An aaS platform can be easily scaled up or down to meet changing needs, making it ideal for businesses that are growing or have fluctuating demand. 

  • Increased security and compliance: When you migrate to an aaS platform, your data is hosted in a secure, compliant environment that meets all the necessary regulatory requirements. 

  • Enhanced customer experiences: An aaS platform can provide your customers with a better experience, by mitigating situations before the business ever needs to be contacted. 

 

The New Role of the MSP 

In order to stay ahead of the curve, MSPs must continually evolve their offerings and operations. They must also keep up with the latest changes in technology so they can provide their clients with the best possible service. Here are some ways in which the role of an MSP has changed in recent years:  

Bring Process Improvement Knowledge  

Today, businesses expect their MSP partners to bring process improvement knowledge to the table so they can streamline their operations and improve their bottom line. MSPs must now have a deep understanding of the business goals and strategy in order to provide meaningful recommendations.

Provide a Highly Skilled Workforce 

As businesses have become more complex, they have come to expect MSPs to provide a highly skilled workforce that can keep up with the latest changes in technology. MSPs must now invest in training and development so their employees are able to provide the best possible service to their clients. 

Keep Up with Technological Advances 

The IT landscape is constantly changing, which means MSPs must continually adapt their offerings and operations to meet the ever-changing needs of their clients. In order to stay ahead of the curve, MSPs must keep up with the latest changes in technology so they can provide their clients with the best possible service. 

 Support Transformation 

As businesses undergo transformation, they expect MSPs to be there every step of the way to support them. MSPs must now be prepared to help their clients with everything from designing new business processes to implementing new technologies. They are also the front line of defense and support when mitigating issues with customers. 

Learn More

Northriver provides 360-degree managed IT services for SMBs empowering them to create a secure, fast, and robust IT backbone for their business. Call us today to learn more.

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