These days, it seems like more organizations are making the strategic decision to work with a managed service provider (MSP). In fact, according to an Aberdeen Group report, 63% of “Best in Class” enterprises choose to work with an MSP to “avoid the issues that plague self-managed contract labor program.” While engagement with MSPs is clearly on the rise, there are a few common misconceptions that prevent businesses from making the decision to switch up their current processes and work with an MSP.

Myth #1: It’s more expensive to work with an MSP than it is to hire an internal employee.
Many people think working with a managed service provider will cost them more than hiring a full-time employee. After all, a company is getting an entire team of experts with an MSP so they must be getting charged a hefty price, right? Wrong. The business model of MSPs allows them to provide clients with a team of qualified individuals at a price that will actually help their clients save money in the long run. What many people fail to take into account when comparing the cost of an MSP vs. the cost of hiring one employee is that they’re not only paying the salary of the employee, but also the overhead cost associated with him/her (e.g. taxes, insurance, vacation, sick days, 401k, training, etc).

Myth #2: An MSP won’t understand my business.
While it’s true your business is unique, mature MSPs have experience working with businesses spanning a number of industries. Efficient MSPs will have processes in place to get to know the wants and needs of your business and will also be able to apply industries-wide experience to any situation in order better serve your company. By working with a provider who is not only an expert in their field, but is also experienced in working with companies within your industry, you can have confidence in their abilities and focus on the important task of running your core business.

Myth #3: They won’t be able to respond to my issues quickly.
Many people are concerned that not having a full time employee in the office will mean a lag in response time when an issue arises. However, most MSPs have a help desk offering around-the-clock support to employees, allowing them to get help from multiple people rather than relying on one person to solve the problems of an entire company. Another benefit of using an MSP is that their help desk personnel are dedicated to their roles while there are others within the company who are solely responsible for handling other aspects of the company’s needs, ensuring the business is receiving the best possible service across the board.

Myth #4: We’ll have to fire our internal person in order to work with an MSP.
A number of people we speak with think if they were to hire an MSP, they would have to let their internal person or team go which is not necessarily the case. Many MSPs work hand-in-hand with a company’s current internal employee who acts as the main point of contact within the organization. In fact, many clients who keep their internal person and add the service of an MSP experience an increase in their business’s productivity and performance. By working as a team, a company’s internal employee and their MSP can ensure the company’s strategy and support are being handled in the most efficient way possible.