5 MSP Myths: Debunked
You’re thinking of partnering with an MSP, but you’re worried, naturally – it’s a big decision. Is it going to be too expensive? Do you really want a bunch of strangers coming in and messing around with your computers? Will an MSP even be willing to work with a business your size?
You’ve got questions, and you deserve answers. It’s good that you’re concerned about the decision – it shows you care about your business! But it’s important not to let fear dictate your choices. What matters is the truth, and in this article, we’re getting to the bottom of things. Partnering with an MSP doesn’t make sense for every business, but there are far too many organizations holding out for the wrong reasons. In what follows, we’re looking at five common ‘MSP myths.’ Ready for some clarity?
What is an MSP?
In short, an MSP is an IT company that monitors and manages an organization’s IT systems remotely (although many MSPs offer on-site support when needed).
You can think of an MSP as a souped-up version of an internal IT department. An MSP can provide services covering typical help desk work (i.e., support tickets), subscription management, data backups, cybersecurity, and much more. If you’re interested in learning more, you’re in luck; we have an entire blog post on the subject!
There are plenty of reasons to enlist an MSP to take care of your company’s IT needs. But in this blog post, we’re focusing on some concerns that might convince you to stick with your ‘break/fix’ IT provider or in-house IT staff. We’ll start with one of the most common objections we encounter…
Myth #1. MSPs Are Only for Large Businesses
Do you feel that your company is too small for an MSP? Many small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) do. This is unfortunate because, quite simply, it couldn’t be further from the truth.
While many large companies utilize MSPs, we’d argue that they are more beneficial for small and medium-sized businesses. If you’re a business owner or simply work at an SMB, there’s a good chance you, or someone you know, wears a few different hats around the office. Maybe your tech guy isn’t actually an IT professional but an accountant who knows computers a little better than the rest of the office.
A managed service provider lets your team take off some of those hats by taking on work normally shunted to the resident ‘IT specialist.’ Not only that, but an MSP can overhaul an SMB’s infrastructure by providing new equipment, critical cybersecurity, and compliance assistance. These types of projects are complex and typically ‘beyond the pay grade’ of your designated IT person – or even your dedicated in-house IT staff.
Large companies can afford to build out large internal IT departments to handle these more sophisticated IT initiatives, which is why partnering with an MSP can level the playing field for smaller businesses, offering them access to high-level expertise and resources without the need for a large in-house team.
Myth #2 One-Size-Fits-All
No two MSPs are the same. We’re not just talking about the obvious differences like cost and location either. When searching for an MSP, consider each MSP’s areas of expertise and services. Some MSPs may provide Mac support while others may strictly work with Windows, and no two MSPs will use the exact same software for things like data backups and cybersecurity.
Maybe you don’t care about some of intricate differences, but at the end of the day, you’re going to want an MSP that fits your company. These differences may seem overwhelming, but think of it this way: with so many different MSPs out there, you’re bound to find your perfect fit. And taking time to find ‘the one’ is more than worth it; the right MSP won’t just take care of your computers, but streamline your entire IT environment so that you work faster and more efficiently (translation: make more money!).
Myth #3. MSPs Are too Expensive
You’re probably wondering why you’d want to spend a good chunk of change on an MSP when you could just hire an in-house IT person. Surely it’s more cost-effective to hire one (or just a few) people instead of an entire MSP…right?
Actually, you might be surprised by how things break down…
One Full-Time IT Employee (FTE) – $100,000 per year
Your IT person is – quite obviously – an employee. This means you will need to cover their salary, insurance, benefits, office space, equipment, training, etc. On top of this, a single IT employee can only do so much at a time and won’t be available 24/7. We aren’t saying that in-house IT is a bad idea – an internal IT person or team can do a lot of good. It’s just that they may not be as cost-effective as many assume.
So what about an MSP?
Managed IT Department (MID) – $75,000 per year
At $25,000 less, you receive a predictable budget, unlimited support, security, disaster recovery, and (in some MSPs’ cases), a 24×7 help desk. Beyond this, an MSP provides access to the latest IT tools, cutting-edge antivirus software, monitoring applications, and ticket management.
Not only is an MSP affordable, but it can provide a wealth of services that far exceed what a single IT professional (or even small team) can offer. Of course, the above numbers are approximations, and it’s important to consider pricing closely on a case-by-case basis before making any big decision. Check out this blog post for a more detailed breakdown of MSP pricing.
Myth #4. An MSP Will Replace Your Employees
You may have raised an eyebrow while reading the myth above. If we’re saying an MSP is more affordable than an IT employee, what are we suggesting you do with existing IT staff – simple fire them?
Not so fast! Hiring an MSP doesn’t mean you have to kick your IT folks to the curb. An MSP can function as an extension of your IT team, not a replacement. Managed service providers simply provide a much larger umbrella of services and protection, allowing your existing IT team and employees the breathing room they need to focus on more important projects. It’s also important to note that many MSPs offer “co-managed” services, which are what they sound like: a collaborative partnership between your MSP and your in-house IT employees.
Myth #5. MSPs Compromise Security
Chances are your network is more vulnerable than you realize. With the ever-rising threat of cybercrime and the complexities of regulatory compliance, many SMBs can find themselves struggling to stay afloat in these rocky waters. Opening up your environment to an MSP may seem intimidating, but claiming that MSPs typically compromise security is absolutely false.
Your security is an MSP’s top priority – and if it’s not, that’s a sign it’s time to switch to a new MSP!
MSPs offer round-the-clock support and come equipped with monitoring and management tools for your security. An MSP won’t guarantee 100% protection – nothing and no one can do that – but having an MSP at your back will significantly lower your chances of a cyberattack.
Bonus Myth – MSPs Are a Bunch of Strangers
Similar to the previous concern about security, you may worry about adding a bunch of strangers to your workplace. This is more than fair – trust is a valuable currency in the business world, and hesitating to expand your company’s ‘inner circle’ is perfectly valid.
That said, while you may not know every technician within an MSP, that doesn’t mean you’re signing up to work with total strangers.
For one, you ought to thoroughly research an MSP before signing a contract. Talk to their leadership team, along with current clients, to get a feel not only for what the MSP does, but who they are. When you welcome an MSP aboard, they shouldn’t feel like total strangers any longer.
In addition, some MSPs – such as The 20 MSP – even pair small teams of technicians with specific clients, so that you have a consistent point of contact. This helps build familiarity and trust over time, and those folks who started as strangers will soon become colleagues no different than anyone else at your business.
Finding the Truth
IT has gotten so complex, SMBs can’t handle everything on their own anymore. Chances are you’ve known this for some time. Between IoT, remote work, cloud-based solutions and many more challenges, partnering with an MSP has become a necessity for many businesses across a broad array of industries.
Picking the right MSP can be a daunting task – with so many to choose from and with so much at stake. So take your time and listen to your gut. You deserve to partner with an MSP that respects you, your employees, your customers, and your culture. An MSP’s job is to make your job easier. Keep that top of mind when assessing potential MSP partners, and don’t let anyone rush you into a decision.
Finally, don’t let any of the above myths prevent you from doing what’s best for your business. Big changes are never easy, but they’re often the catalyst for something great.
The 20 MSP – Your New MSP
Not sure where to start? Start by checking out The 20 MSP! Our flat-rate pricing, unlimited support, and ultra-friendly team will have you wondering why you didn’t make the switch sooner.
Schedule your call today to find out more.
