The managed service provider industry is booming, with the expected market size to reach $319.5 billion by 2024. What’s more, it’s estimated that 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies use an MSP for at least part of their IT infrastructure or services.
Whether your creative business isn’t big enough to need its own in-house IT department, you lack essential IT skills, or you just don’t have time, a managed service provider is a necessary part of your business’s ecosystem.
But with the market being full-to-bursting, how can you ensure you make the right choices when selecting a partner?
It’s as simple as breaking down your expectations of what an MSP should be. A managed service provider shouldn’t just be your ‘IT guys’ – it’s more complex than that.
As a partner of your business, they should be invested in your goals and aspirations, like gaining more clients or making your creative team more productive. That means offering outcome-based services that guarantee you tangible business results.
In this blog, we’ll be discussing what ‘outcome-based services’ are and why they’re beneficial to creative businesses.
What are outcome-based services?
Put simply, outcome-based services consist of a service model that revolves around defined standards and your desired business outcomes.
So, on top of ensuring standard MSP duties, such as security and compliance, an outcome-based service provider will be able to provide technology solutions that align with your internal business goals. Ultimately, this means a good managed service provider should provide you with consultancy or vCIO services.
In these consultations, your MSP will discuss your creative business’s:
- Budget requirements
- Industry expectations, obstacles and trends
- Company targets
- Existing infrastructure
- Employee needs or concerns
- Goals for the future
With a complete overview of your wants, needs and constraints, the right managed service provider will be able to provide the best advice and tailored solutions for your business needs.
Why is this important?
Put simply, investing in a managed service provider that invests in outcomes, rather than just technology, will ensure your business only invests in the technology that will elevate your creative offerings and benefit both your employees and clients.
This approach can:
- Reduce your technology costs
- Increase employee efficiency
- Help you to get the most benefit your existing tools
- Boost your business growth
At the end of the day, your technology mix needs to be a ‘hype free’ zone. When you invest in technologies – whether it be cloud computing or Big Data – make sure they will have a positive impact on your business, improving productivity and growth.
Every company is different, so what might work for one may not work for all. That is why a consultation and outcome-based strategy is essential.
Choose the right managed service provider
So, now you know why outcome-based services and consultation is important. But you needn’t look too far for an MSP who can offer an expert, tailored service.
Here at Pensar, we pride ourselves on our ability to work collaboratively with creative businesses. As industry experts, we take a close, in-depth look at your requirements and goals and align them alongside technology, ultimately paving the way for a more successful future.
Sound interested? Book up a free consultation today to receive free advice – no strings attached – and start your journey to bigger business growth.