Managed services providers (MSPs) remotely manage a company's IT infrastructure and end-user systems on an ongoing, outsourced basis. MSPs typically operate under a subscription or retainer model and can cover a broad range of functions, including network monitoring, help desk support, backup and disaster recovery, and general IT administration. Businesses often turn to MSPs to reduce the burden on in-house IT staff, contain costs, and gain access to specialized expertise they may not have internally.
Managed Services is a broad category that can overlap with more specific service categories, such as Managed Security Services (MSSP), which covers outsourced security-specific functions.
To qualify for inclusion in the Managed Services category, a service provider must:
- Provide ongoing, outsourced management of an organization's IT infrastructure or end-user systems