A managed service provider is someone who assumes responsibility for providing a set of services for a client. They usually bill a fixed fee, paid monthly. This enables their clients peace of mind, knowing what their IT support will cost them.
Managed service providers provide a host of services remotely, rather than on site at the clients premises. Common amongst these services are such things a remote network, desktop monitoring, security services and remota data back up. A managed service providers has to provide technical assistance too.
Managed service providers are the answer for small or medium sized businesses who need to outsource their IT support requirements at a lower cost than what the would spend it they had to support it themselves inhouse. And on the other side, because managed service providers cost themselves out on a monthly basis, the also allows them to predict future revenues. They might also charge for time and materials, but usually they charge a monthly fee which includes monitoring of their clients infrastructure and resolving an issues found within it.
Some of the benefits gained by the client is peace of mind which comes from the fact that their IT department is being run and monitored 24 hours a day. They are dealing with one vendor who has defined an agreed level of service. Peace of mind also comes from knowing that they will adhere to these levels. The client avoids enormous costs of building and maintaining their own IT infrastructure inhouse which equates to lower total cost ownership.
