Blog

We've addressed how the managed services model can be beneficial for small and mid-sized companies by handling functions, such as application support, network monitoring, and data center management, thus allowing internal IT teams to concentrate on more strategic and higher-level business initiatives.

So you've decided that you are going to be working with a Managed IT services provider. You may have even found the right MSP for your business. But how do you make the shift to the managed IT services model?

Businesses may sometimes find it difficult to give up some or even full control and responsibilities to the MSP. However, if you want an MSP to offer a higher level of services at a lower cost, you must be able to focus on what work gets done, not how. This will help you obtain the full value of the MSP. Below we look at a few aspects that ensure that your transition to working with an MSP is successful.

1 – You must allow the MSP to take control

If you allow the MSP control of your systems and refrain from managing the MSP, you will enable the provider to perform, deliver, and report successfully. If you try and get involved in fixing problems, instead of allowing the MSP to take the lead, you are duplicating and slowing down work. You do not want to be paying two teams to do the same work: your in-house team and the MSP.

2 – The MSP must accept responsibility of your systems and deliver services

If your MSP is promising to deliver world class IT support, they must first be willing to accept and perform all tasks under the agreed-upon structure. It is also within the MSPs’ responsibility to remain within cost targets while ensuring that periodic activities take place.

3 – Have the right person be accountable for the MSP

The internal person who will oversee the MSP should focus on leadership, business knowledge, and collaboration, and not on the technical environment. If you have the same person who managed your IT systems now oversee the MSP, you may be faced with a situation where your internal point-of-contact is focused on fixing problems, rather than overseeing the MSP.

Although the transition to working with an MSP may be challenging at first, the ideal result will be well worth it for your business. You will see predictable costs, delivery of an agreed-upon outcome, and superior service.