what are managed service providers

A Managed Service Provider (MSP) is a third-party company that remotely manages a customers information technology (IT) infrastructure and end-user systems. MSPs are used as information technology-related support for companies who lack the in-house resources needed to maintain their systems. They offer support to improve operations and reduce budgetary expenditures through the outsourcing of the responsibility for maintaining and anticipating the need for a range of processes and functions. The most common managed services in the information technology area appear to evolve around connectivity and bandwidth, network monitoring, security, virtualization, and disaster recovery. Beyond traditional application and infrastructure management, managed services may also include storage, desktop and communications, mobility, help desk, and technical support. MSPs can be organized in different ways, such as pure-play MSPs, centralized management, scheduled maintenance, and simplified billing. The benefits of hiring an MSP include improving operations, reducing budgetary expenditures, and gaining access to the best talent and latest technology available in the market without costs increasing quickly.