In today's accelerated business world, organisations of all sizes encounter numerous IT challenges. From optimising infrastructure and data privacy and security to maintaining compliance and supporting customers, IT is a major burden for any organisation. That's where Managed Service Providers (MSPs) plays an important role.
Managed Service Providers (MSPs) help businesses in overcoming these hurdles. Their expertise, tailored solutions, and cost-effective services make them an ideal choice. However, partnering with an MSP requires thoughtful evaluation and a compelling justification. In this article, we will discover the process of building a robust and secure business case for MSP support to make an informed decision that benefits your organization greatly.
Steps for building a business case for MSP support
Here are the proven steps to create a building case for MSP support that can help you to make informed decision for your company:
Identify business needs and challenges
The initial step in constructing a business case for MSP support is to recognise the distinct needs and challenges of your organization. These may encompass various concerns, including limited IT resources, inadequate expertise, or compliance obligations. It is crucial to take into account both immediate and future requirements, as well as any potential risks or possibilities that may arise.
Common challenges that businesses face encompasses:
- 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 have identified your organisation's requirements and assessed the available MSP options, it becomes crucial to quantify the expenses and advantages of MSP support. This step is crucial in creating a compelling business case and making an informed choice. It is important to recognise and estimate the expenses related to MSP support, while also quantifying the advantages in terms of time, finances, and other valuable resources. By organising this analysis, you will be armed with the required information to present a holistic and persuasive case for MSP support.
Evaluation criteria for selecting an MSP are:
- 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 unique requirements and evaluating available MSP options, it's crucial to quantitatively assess the expenses and advantages of MSP support. This analysis will form the foundation for a robust business case and an informed decision. Meticulously identify and estimate costs, while quantifying benefits in terms of time, finances, and resources. By undertaking this evaluation, you'll have the necessary information to present a compelling case for MSP support that aligns with your brand voice.
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 your organisation's needs are identified, MSP options assessed, and costs and benefits quantified, the next step is to create a detailed blueprint for implementing MSP support services. This plan should closely align with your business goals, actively involving key stakeholders. By promoting strategic alignment and involving relevant parties, your organization can successfully implement MSP support
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