(MSP) What Is a Managed Service Provider?
What Is a Managed Service Provider? A Managed Service Provider or a MSP is a service provided by an IT company to mostly small and medium-sized business, and sometimes large organizations, non-profits and governments. These businesses typically do not have a full-time in-house IT staff member. A MSP either charges a monthly recurring fee or on an annual basis. There is usually a service level agreement (SLA) that is tied to the contract. The contract will list out all items and tasks to be included. Tasks list might include as 24×7 network monitoring of servers, laptops, desktop and endpoint devices. It will also specify other items and how they are to be fixed. Hours of operation such as regular Mondays to Fridays business hours or a business requiring 24×7 support will be spelled out. The service provided may also include patching of devices to keep them updated and repairing any issues that arise when they are seen while these systems are being monitored.