Are MSP Contracts Flexible?
Managed Service Provider contracts are a popular choice for businesses that want to outsource their IT needs. One question that often comes up when considering an MSP contract is whether they are flexible enough to meet the unique needs of your business.
The pandemic has driven the need for clients wanting flexibility and wanting to steer clear from long-term commitments. That doesn’t mean they don’t want long-term relationships with vendors, they do, they just want flexibility in the contracts.
As a business owner, you know that flexibility is key to success. Your business needs to be able to adapt to changing circumstances and your IT needs should be no different. MSP contracts are designed to be flexible, allowing you to customise your service plan to meet your specific needs.
MSPs no longer need multi-year service contracts in place, instead, what they are depending on is the length of their relationship with their clients. As a business, you’re looking to stick with your outsourced IT service provider for as long as possible as it can be a great hassle to search for and then switch providers. An MSP is relying on this so they should be giving you the level of service your company needs and helping your business grow. This is why they don’t need to lock you into long contracts as you should be willing to stay with them for as long as possible.
Long-term relationships are built on trust where you both share wins and work through losses. If your MSP is honest and willing to work with you on your challenges, you’re hardly going to up and leave for another IT provider.
That being said, some MSPs offer month-to-month contracts while others offer longer, yearly or two-year plans paid monthly or yearly. Discuss this with the MSP you’re looking into if that’s a major concern for you. Keep in mind that you really don’t want to be changing managed service providers regularly.
Another way MSP contracts can be flexible is by offering a range of pricing models that might be valuable to different customers. A long-term contract might suit one business, but another might find value in a month-to-month, no-commitment type of contract that has a higher pricing point. An MSP might offer discounts for long-term contracts or even higher upfront costs with lower monthly fees. There are a range of ways that MSPs can be flexible with their pricing, so double-check with your MSP if they can tailor your plan to one that suits you.
One of the benefits of an MSP contract is that you can choose the level of service that best suits your business. Whether you need basic IT support or more advanced services like Cyber Security and cloud computing, an MSP can offer a range of options to meet your needs.
Additionally, MSP contracts can be tailored so that the services offered fit your budget. You don’t have to pay for services you don’t which means that you can get the services you need without breaking the bank. Take cloud computing services, for example. You could be offered cost-effective solutions like paying for what you use or the MSP scaling the price up or down when you need to work between public and private cloud services.
If you’re already working with an MSP, ask them if there are any new services they are now providing new customers that might now benefit your business.
MSP contracts also offer flexibility when it comes to scalability. As your business grows, your IT needs will likely grow as well, whether that be with more powerful software or hardware or with proactive Cyber Security practices that prevent your data from being stolen. MSP contracts are designed to be flexible enough to accommodate your changing needs, whether that means adding new services, upgrading existing services or scaling back services that are no longer necessary.
Another benefit of MSP contracts is that they can be customised to fit the unique needs of your business. MSPs are acutely aware of how different each business is and should not be offering a one-size-fits-all contract for each of their clients. They should work closely with your business to understand its needs and develop a customised service plan that meets those needs. This means that you can get the exact services you need to keep your business running smoothly. That also means being honest with you about services, software or hardware your business doesn’t need.
Keep in mind that you’re still working with another business so there will be negotiations, notice periods and levels of software and hardware they demand your business have, or eventually have, for them to want to work with you, but there are ways for your MSP to offer your business flexibility without compromising their business.
So, while an MSP might not offer flexibility in one area, it might provide your business with the flexibility you’re after in another. How do you get that? Ask. As mentioned, MSPs depend on building long-term relationships with their clients, so see how they can tailor their services to your business, while also keeping in mind they can’t compromise on everything as, they too, are a business.
MSP contracts are incredibly flexible and can be tailored to meet the unique needs of your business. Whether you need basic IT support or more advanced services, MSPs can offer a range of options to meet your needs. And with the ability to customise your contract to fit your budget, scalability and unique needs, an MSP is an excellent choice for any business looking to outsource its IT needs. Don’t hesitate to explore your options and find the MSP that is right for you!
