‍

2020 might have been tricky to navigate in the wake of the pandemic, but MSPs, MSSPs, and Technology solution providers have been successful in getting past the challenges. They have advanced to a whole new level where they can facilitate their clients with everything they need to thrive in these tumultuous times. 

The global crisis has fast-tracked the adoption of new technologies such as automation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced cybersecurity. Clients and prospects have been embracing innovation in their existing IT framework while focusing on working remotely. The reliance on managed service providers is increasing as more and more companies are willing to invest and plan these technology shifts.

However, there are some questions to ponder such as are managed services business owners ready to go with their 2021 strategies? How optimistic and motivated are MSPs about these changes? 

Now is the time to get some clarity on those questions and soar high in this competitive market. Here are some useful tips for helping MSPs like you prepare your businesses this year without limiting potential opportunities. 

‍

1. Evolve from being an operational contractor

Your clients and prospects are in a crisis mode and preparing to digitize their business operations if they haven’t already. Their expectations for managed service providers have grown two-fold. First, they want to understand how your services can fit into their strategic plans to make a digital transformation. A simple way to cater to their needs is to become a significant component of their programs and execution. Become more than just a replaceable operational service provider. Help your clients reinvent their businesses by increasing your value in the relationship.

2. Upgrade your existing tech offerings to stay competitive

With the new norm of remote work, with the looming threat of cyberattacks and the need to access enterprise-class technologies, IT solution providers must tailor their offerings this year. Add-on services such as advanced network firewall threat protection, password management, multi-factor authentication, and cloud migration will allow MSPs to prepare their clients for today’s mobile workforce. This is an excellent opportunity to cross-sell and upsell all the benefits of these technologies and expand recurring revenue goals.

3. Focus on automation frameworks

The scope for MSPs is gigantic this year as they have the chance to digitally transform companies in many different industries. That opportunity can become a roadblock for smaller players with fewer staff members to deal with an ever-growing list of prospects and leads. Over the last couple of years, automation has become more than a buzz word for MSSPs and IT channel partners, so they should continue focusing on those integrations and technologies to increase profitability in 2021. Automation reduces pressure on the sales staff and creates a force-multiplying effect to drive smarter business insight, more prevention options, and faster responses.

4. Avoid single-point failures

Are you documenting every facet of your IT business? If not, then make it your priority today rather than suffering a single-point failure amidst the pandemic. We live in uncertain times where you or any of your indispensable employees could suddenly fall sick (or worse). What happens to the inaccessible and vital information and knowledge needed to run your business in such a scenario? You cannot let a crisis hold you back this year. Document all facets of your business and write down all the processes to ensure your team can carry on in your absence.

5. Increase your operational efficiency

Renowned technology solution providers have definite operational procedures and resources in place. Smaller MSPs often set up a helpdesk to gain enhanced operational efficiencies. Define your service level agreements and the escalation processes required to achieve those goals, and then deploy a ticketing system to track and expedite end-user support requests. Lastly, in this remote working environment, you need a management solution that automates routine tasks and highlights fixes to save time for your staff.

‍

Needless to say, identifying the strengths and weaknesses in your MSP business should be the first step of your 2021 resolution plan. Make Zomentum a part of this strategy to boost your sales and get a holistic 360-degree view on your current opportunities and clients. As long as you and your team are open to new ideas, your MSP business will continue to flourish and gain a strategic advantage over your competitors.