In today's fast-paced business environment, organisations of all sizes face a range of IT challenges. From managing infrastructure and data security to maintaining compliance and supporting end-users, IT can be a significant burden on any organisation. That's where Managed Service Providers (MSPs) come in.
Managed Service Providers (MSPs) can help businesses overcome these challenges by providing expert support, customised solutions, and cost-effective services. However, making the decision to partner with an MSP requires careful consideration and a strong business case. In this blog post, we'll explore the steps involved in building a business case for MSP support, so you can make a well-informed decision for your organisation.
Steps for building a business case for MSP support
Here are the following steps required to create a building case for MSP support to make informed decision for your company:
Identify business needs and challenges
The first step in building a business case for MSP support is to identify your organisation's unique needs and challenges. This could include a range of issues, such as a lack of IT resources, insufficient expertise, or compliance requirements. It's important to consider both short-term and long-term needs, as well as any potential risks or opportunities.
Some common needs and challenges that businesses face include:
- Managing and maintaining IT infrastructure
- Data security and privacy
- Compliance with regulations and industry standards
- Supporting end-users and addressing IT issues
- Maintaining up-to-date software and hardware
Evaluate MSP options
Once you've identified your organisation's needs and challenges, the next step is to evaluate MSP options. Researching and identifying MSPs that can meet your unique requirements is critical to building a strong business case. Consideration should be given to factors such as services offered, experience, pricing, and customer reviews.
Some evaluation criteria for selecting an MSP include:
- Range of services offered
- Experience and track record
- Reputation and customer satisfaction
- Cost and pricing models
- Availability and responsiveness
Quantify costs and benefits
After identifying your organisation's needs and evaluating MSP options, it's important to quantify the costs and benefits of MSP support. This will help to build a solid business case and make a well-informed decision. You should identify and estimate the costs associated with MSP support, as well as quantify the benefits in terms of time, money, and other resources.
Use of metrics and data to support the business case for MSP support can also be helpful. Some metrics that can be used to quantify costs and benefits include:
- Return on Investment (ROI)
- Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
- Time-to-Value (TTV)
- Cost savings and avoidance
- Improved efficiency and productivity
Develop a plan
Once you've identified your organisation's needs, evaluated MSP options, and quantified costs and benefits, the next step is to develop a detailed plan for MSP support implementation. This plan should be aligned with your business goals and objectives and involve key stakeholders in the planning process.
A detailed MSP support plan should include:
- A clear definition of goals and objectives
- A timeline for implementation
- Identification of key stakeholders and their roles
- A detailed description of MSP services and solutions
- Metrics for tracking success and ROI
Communicate the business case
Finally, to build a strong business case for MSP support, it's important to communicate the business case to decision-makers and stakeholders. This involves creating a compelling and concise business case for MSP support, supported by data, metrics, and real-world examples.
Some tips for communicating the business case include:
- Use data and metrics to support your case
- Clearly define the benefits of MSP support
- Address any potential concerns or objections
- Involve key stakeholders in the decision-making process
- Highlight the potential risks of not partnering with an MSP
Conclusion
In summary, partnering with an MSP can provide significant benefits to businesses, including cost savings, improved efficiency, enhanced security, scalability, and access to expertise. These benefits can help businesses to improve their overall performance, increase their competitiveness, and achieve their long-term goals.
Download our free eBook ‘How to drive value from a Managed Service Provider’ to discover more. Plus, watch our on-demand webinars from the IT Pioneer Summit for content including how MSPs can help you in the economic downturn, their role in ESG and overcoming the tech skills shortage.
Why Advanced?
In today’s world it’s becoming more and more difficult to keep up with the ever changing technology landscape. Companies feel the burden of the everyday, yet want to continue to take their next step and drive innovation.
At Advanced we focus on people, giving you access to subject experts and enabling you to deliver your technology objectives faster. Our team are always available to advise, unafraid of complexity, and constantly focused on driving your business forwards.
No matter what your objectives are, together we make IT work.
“We are moving forward to meet growing and more complex demands with a provider that can both scale to meet those needs and provide the level of professionalism needed within this marketplace.” Rob Bing, IT Service Manager - St Andrew’s Healthcare
