What is a Managed IT Service Provider (MSP)?

Daniel Bell
Aug 27
3 min read

In the fast paced business would that we live in today, technology is the core of almost all our business operations. From customer communication to data management, a reliable IT setup is what makes your business tick. However, managing and maintaining your technology can be a challenge, especially as the business grows. That's where Managed IT Service Provider (MSP for short) comes in.

Rather than being "just another vendor", an MSP becomes a partner or a sudo employee some would say. They work alongside your business to ensure your technology runs smooths, securely, and efficiently - allowing you to focus on growth instead of troubleshooting.

I've put together the top questions I've been asked over my 10 years working in Managed IT Services Providers in Brisbane to help you understand if your business is missing out.

Is My Business a Good Fit for Managed IT?

Many business owners ask if they're big enough to have Managed IT Services, and the truth is, it's not about your size. MSP's not only serve businesses of all sizes, they can cover all different industries.

You're business is likely a good fit if;

Your team heavily relies on the daily use of Technology
You store and manage a large amount of data
You're looking to strengthen your cybersecurity posture
You want predictable IT costs and planning done for you.

Can't I Just Manage IT Myself?

If you're a business owner, you've probably been running your IT yourself from day 1. But as technology and security needs increase, it becomes too complex and risky to self manage your systems.

Modern IT management requires advanced tools, monitoring systems and security processes that are difficult to juggle when you're trying to work in your business. Even if you're tech savy, your time is usually better spent on strategic growth, rather than fixing staff's email or printer issues on the daily.

What Can You Expect from an MSP?

When you bring on a Managed IT Service Provider, you're investing in more than just tech support.

Cybersecurity Solutions

MSP's implement and manage Endpoint Protection, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and advanced email security to protect against phishing, spoofing and cyber-attacks.

Managed Backups

Your data is one of your most valuable assets. MSP's ensure your backups run on a schedule, monitor them daily, and resolve any backup failures that may occur, so your business is already ready to recover if a disaster strikes.

System Updates & Maintenance

You would get your car serviced, why not your IT? MSP's are applying security patches, firmware updates and network optimisations to keep everything running securely and efficiently.

How Fast Should an MSP Respond?

Response times matter, and it's one of the biggest issues I've come across over the years. An amazing MSP should response to non-critical support requests within the hour and for urgent business critical requests, much faster, ideally within 15 minutes. If you're waiting days for help, it may be time to look for a new provider.

Onboarding & Getting Started

Once you choose a provider, onboarding typically begins right away. For small to medium businesses, setup usually takes one to two weeks depending on complexity, but your provider should be transparent about time frames .

Please note, if you're looking to change MSP's, you may be under a service contract, so review the terms before you commit to a new provider. (usually if service is poor, there is an exit clause!)

How Much Does IT Cost?

Pricing varies across providers, but usually charge at a per user or per device model. The value of MSP's lie in the cost predictability. A great provider will let you know straight away how much you need to budget for it. We've made a IT calculator here to help you get a baseline idea.

So is a Managed IT Service Provider Right for Your Business?

If you've made it this far and you have a good feeling about Managed IT Services, then there is no harm in reaching out to a provider. Not only will this help your business scale, it's a strategic partnership that will help protect you and your team from the unknowns.

By securing your systems, monitoring backups and proactively maintaining your IT environments, MSP's allow you to focus on what you do best - running and growing your business.