From service to strategy: how MSPs guide your future

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) might often be seen as just the people who come and fix your computers and servers when something goes wrong.  But considering how critical your IT infrastructure and cyber security are to succeeding as a business, choosing the right MSP to drive you forward is one of the most crucial decisions you can make.

That’s because the best MSPs aren’t just there to reactively fix things or get tech set up; they’re also on hand with higher level strategic support and advice to help you use that tech as part of a wider strategy to excel as a business.

Read on to find out exactly what sets these more strategic partners apart from the rest and break down why that can be such a benefit to your business.

What are strategic managed services?

Often people think of managed IT services providers as just people who’ll fix your computers when something breaks. While these kinds of services do of course exist, and are perfectly adequate for some businesses, they’re far from the complete picture.

Some managed services partners will go beyond just simple tech fixes and look at the bigger picture. These strategic partners see how technology is used in a wider business context and look at the knock-on effects that any piece of new technology will have on the business as a whole.

Because they’ll typically work more closely with you to understand your business’ goals and challenges, strategic partners will be able to recommend new solutions that harness best-in-class functionality to deliver value where you most need it.

How can managed IT solutions unlock your potential?

Working with the right managed service partner can be the difference between success and failure for your company. Here’s why choosing the right partner can translate into real business benefits.

Tailored IT solutions

Many business tech solutions are available as an off-the-shelf ‘one size fits all’ product. This means that they may not solve all of your business’ unique problems and you may end up paying for lots of tools that you never actually end up using.

A more strategic partner will be able to understand from your business objectives exactly what you need your business solution to be capable of. They’ll help you find the right tool for the job and customise it to how you need it.

Independent IT advice

In a world full of seemingly endless solutions and technology all promising to be the one fix you need, it can be near impossible to decide what’s best for your business. The best strategic IT partners like Thinc can make that decision far easier by giving you impartial and independent advice on what will work best to meet your business goals.

Unlike a lot of other partners, who are tied to certain brands or shareholder demands, an independent partner like us will only be looking out for what’s in your best interest.

At Thinc, we partner with some of the leading technology companies in the world, but also some of the most innovative. All our decisions on tooling are based on in-depth research on their capabilities and how well they will serve the companies and organisations we work with every day.

Access to cutting-edge technology

Business technology and cyber security is a rapidly evolving world, and you need to be at the forefront of these changes to keep your company safe and make the most of the advantages this new tech offers.

But in reality, taking advantage of the latest technologies isn’t always easy. Many organisations may not have the bandwidth to think about onboarding new tools that might mean new ways of working. At the other end of the spectrum, the fear of being left behind might force some to rush their choices, or adopt new solutions without taking time to get their infrastructure and data in the right shape first.

This is where a managed service provider that’s tuned into your strategy can help. At Thinc, we pride ourselves in always staying up to date with the latest advances in both business solutions and cyber security, including the latest AI-powered tools. For example, as an official partner to both CrowdStrike and SonicWall, we’re able to offer businesses the most cutting-edge cyber solutions to keep you safe from increasingly advanced threats.

The benefits of long-term relationships

Some IT partners focus primarily on just getting you set up with the right tech, and then leave you to figure out the rest going forward, perhaps offering occasional aftercare. While this may work if all you need is a simple implementation, if you’re a company planning for change or growth, you’ll be much better served by a genuine long-term relationship with your IT partner.

IT is such a fundamental part of modern work that an IT partner should really be seen more as an extension of your team than as just an external contractor. Over time they’ll be able to build up a deep understanding of the way you work, the challenges you face and can come up with bespoke solutions specifically designed to fix these issues.

Why choose Thinc as your managed services provider?

At Thinc, we don’t do quick fixes. Instead, we take pride in always taking the time to get to know you and understanding the ins and outs of your unique business. That way, we can figure out exactly what problems and inefficiencies you’re facing as well as your cyber vulnerabilities.

That means we can create personalised solutions specific to your company’s needs and we’ll be there to not only give you the support you need, but also ongoing guidance to make sure your setup is always in the best possible shape.

As proud partners for SAP, Sage, CrowdStrike, SonicWall and Microsoft, meaning we can get you set up with the latest cyber and business technology offerings from the best brands as well as our own proprietary cloud and infrastructure systems.