5 Myths Related to MSPs That Are Not Based in Reality

IT professionals are in high demand, but most organizations don't have the know-how or experience to implement modern technology solutions independently. 

It has been said that a partnership with an MSP seems like the most obvious solution, but there's conflicting information floating around on how these partnerships work and what they entail.

The biggest myth about outsourcing to an MSP is that they will take care of everything. The reality, though? It doesn't work quite like this. There are some legitimate downsides associated with using a managed service provider (MSP), but there's also lots of misinformation - we're here dispelling those myths for you.

#1: Outsourcing Is More Costly than Doing Everything Internally

Many decision-makers are concerned that outsourcing to an MSP would deplete their limited IT budgets. It's a common misconception that in-house IT with large CapEx investments doesn't have any significant OpEx costs associated. It's not true. A crucial part of the costs associated with in-house IT is its operation and includes everything from electricity bills (which can be expensive). Daily management maintenance tasks like backups or other administrative duties require costly experienced employees. But well worth their weight when it comes down to success.

A study by Cisco revealed that MSPs could help customers realize a 40% reduction in IT expenditures. It is not surprising that 51% of organizations opt to work with MSPs because they are trying to save costs.

#2: MSPs Make Their Customers Less Secure

Third-party data breaches happen when vital information is stolen from a vendor who does not have direct access to it. These third parties are often compromised due to their negligence in securing customer information, which is then used to penetrate protected systems for malicious intentions such as identity theft. 

It's not like there isn't anything apprehensive. The SecureLink and Ponemon Institute found that 51% of organizations have already experienced a data breach caused by third parties, so it's something you need to watch.

An MSP partnership indeed increases the likelihood of one specific cyber threat capable of causing a data breach. However, this does not make organizations less secure overall and should be weighed against other threats faced by businesses in today's environment. 

With so many threats to organizations of all sizes, it is crucial that they actively protect themselves against phishing and insider breaches. They should also be aware there are other such things like ransomware attacks on IoT devices or even zero-days which could put their company at risk for hacking attempts if left unchecked. The cybersecurity savvy Managed IT Services MSPs can equip their customers with state-of-the-art defenses and hands-on training to keep these threats at bay, making them less likely for a costly or a reputation-damaging data breach.

#3: Enterprises That Outsource Lose Control Over Their IT

More and more companies and firms are turning to third-party IT services for help with their infrastructure. Depending on a virtual machine or system can be daunting, but it is an option that some companies may not want to ignore any longer as they continue growing at breakneck speeds in today's digital age. What would happen if the MSP went out of business? Would their services be interrupted by a sudden outage, or do they have backup plans for this situation? 

The decision to outsource the IT needs is tricky, which can be difficult for small business owners because many questions need answering. Many MSPs offer excellent services, but not all of them will be the right fit for your business needs and goals and which are 100% legitimate. It takes time to find out which ones are worth working with. For ensuring that their services meet customer expectations, all reputable MSPs have developed Service Level Agreements or SLAs. The agreements define the level of service you can expect from them and how it will be measured by metrics like server performance or turnaround time for support calls. 

The strongest SLAs provide an excellent level of control. Organizations are free to further increase it by maintaining their own IT team to manage certain aspects of daily operations or take over when the MSP fails.

#4: Managed Services Providers Target Only Large Enterprises

There is a common belief among smaller and medium-sized businesses that MSPs only want to work with large enterprises. 

The fact that large organizations were among the first to embrace innovative business practices means it is natural for them to have been subject to be looked down upon by society as a whole, making the myth rise. 

By embracing digitalization, companies can increase their ability to compete and use a limited set of resources more efficiently.

The MSP is the go-to for any IT need. They have years of experience in what they do and will be more than happy to help you meet your requirements, no matter how complicated or straightforward.

The cybersecurity market is one where outsourcing to a managed services provider has become the norm. 70% of organizations plan to supplement their internal IT security teams within the next 12 months, according to Kaspersky's Global Corporate IT Security Risks Survey. It's no secret that MSPs can provide enterprise-grade cybersecurity solutions. These organizations know they're getting top-notch service and are willing to pay for it. 

#5: There are Minimum Differences Between Managed Services Providers

It's true that many MSPs provide the same white-label products and endorse similar solutions, such as Microsoft 365 or Azure. But it would be unfair to say all of them do so. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the game, each MSP brings skills and experience. Some MSPs focus exclusively on cybersecurity, but you'll also find some who can help organizations switch to cloud computing and others focused solely on providing complete IT support.

With so many differences between managed services providers, you must zero in on a specific category. This way, when looking at the SLAs they provide and industry best practices followed and how much flexibility or willingness there is to meet your expectations for this type of service provider, only they will be able to do their job correctly. 

ITsGuru has established itself as a leading provider of managed it support company in sugarland to healthcare organizations and non-profits/associations. It is the desire to help you thrive in the digital era. We have decades of experience with this, and it's what drives us every day - so that your business can succeed too.

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