5 tips for the evolving MSP

Posted:

04/12/2016

| By:

Guest Author

Managed service providers run the gamut in terms of size and stature. Some MSPs pride themselves on having a small, localized presence in their neighborhoods, while others have offices across several regions and serve hundreds or even thousands of clients.

But size does not determine how successful MSPs are; the MSPs that truly stand out from the pack are realistic and proactive in their approach as the world of managed services evolves. For MSPs that want to succeed in an ever-changing environment, maintaining some constant practices is key.

Here are five tips for the evolving MSP:

1. Serve people, not devices

In an industry where BYOD (bring your own device) is common, MSPs can get overwhelmed trying to manage a multitude of devices like laptops, tablets, and smartphones and figuring out how to charge for managed services across all of these devices. MSPs should adopt a user-based billing method and serve the people in each company, rather than the devices.

Look for solutions that make it easy for each end user to be productive across all devices, while keeping those devices secure and up to company standards. Don’t get caught up in the details of devices. Focus on making those devices function in a way that best meets the needs of your clientele.

2. Be proactive

MSPs need to be proactive in more ways than just monitoring machines and preparing for disastrous situations. Managed services is a business model that is constantly evolving and will continue to change radically in 2016 and beyond.

With change on the horizon, and new technology always developing, managed service providers must be proactive in looking for new solutions, such as managed file sync, that will fit their clients’ needs before they are even aware that they need them.

3. Automation is key

Using solutions that integrate with a central system is key to making a business run efficiently while simultaneously maximizing profit opportunity. MSPs looking to increase their efficiency should leverage a PSA tool, such as ConnectWise Manage, to ensure they are on track with everything from solution management to labor costs.

Ideally, every managed services solution the MSP offers, from BDR to file sync, should integrate with this PSA tool to increase the MSP’s efficiency.

4. Always keep your clients top-of-mind

There’s nothing better than hearing how your managed services have helped clients increase their productivity and sleep better at night. Take the time to write high quality client case studies for a few of your best clients. Prospects who read about the real-world benefits of your offerings are much more likely to embrace your managed services.

Additionally, after a client takes part in a client case study, their loyalty to your business and likelihood to recommend your services to others will only increase. Need inspiration? Check out one of eFolder’s Client Case Studies.

5. Invest in marketing

Sharing genuinely useful, education content with your client and prospect base is key to establishing your MSP as a technical authority. Even for MSPs who just can’t seem to find the time or resources to generate great content marketing on their own, there are many ways to easily reuse authorized content from your vendors, including the pre-written blogs, white papers, eBooks, and other assets included in eFolder’s Marketing Playbooks.

Applying these principles to your business model is a surefire way to keep your managed services continuously evolving to fit the needs of a transformative client base. And by catering to your clients at every turn, you are building loyalty that will ultimately improve client retention and keep your profits healthy.