Providing Resources for MSPs in 2024
Why MSPs Need to Add Resources for Service Delivery: Scaling for Success
MSPs
must scale efficiently with flexible resources to meet growing service demands.
One of the most challenging things about being an MSP is having the right resources in place to deliver the services to your customers. Finding good talent, keeping solid techs and still turning a profit is a constant battle. Whether it’s expanding NOC, SOC, or Helpdesk capabilities, managing routine IT tasks, or tackling complex projects, MSPs often find themselves stretched thin. One solution to this growing pressure is to add flexible resources that can support service delivery and help your business scale efficiently.
1. Shared Team Support for NOC, SOC, and Helpdesk
One of the most effective ways MSPs can expand service capacity without breaking the bank is by leveraging shared resources for Network Operations Centers (NOC), Security Operations Centers (SOC), and Helpdesk support. Shared teams can monitor client devices, endpoints, and provide IT support around the clock, ensuring uptime, security, and end-user satisfaction.
- Device-Based NOC Support: With shared NOC services, MSPs can offload the 24/7 monitoring and management of servers and/or network devices. They can also offload the mundane task of patching and security updates. This ensures that your clients’ networks are always up and running, without requiring a large in-house team. NOC teams can address issues in real-time, helping prevent downtime and ensuring the smooth operation of IT environments.
- Endpoint-Based & Infrastructure/Application SOC Services: Shared SOC teams specialize in managing security at the endpoint level and across core threat vectors on network devices and applications. From detecting threats to responding to incidents, SOC teams ensure your clients’ security is up to par, even with growing cyber threats. With endpoint-based and infrastructure SOC services, you can provide a high level of security to your clients without needing to build an internal security team from scratch.
- Incident-Based Helpdesk Support: For the most flexible and cost-effective way to augment your helpdesk, incident-based support allows MSPs to tap into a shared team of helpdesk experts on demand. This model is ideal for handling peaks in ticket volume, off-hours coverage, and/or addressing resource issues if you sign a new customer or one of your existing staff members is on vacation or leaves the company. By only paying for the support you need when you need it, incident-based helpdesk services offer a scalable solution that fits within your budget.
These shared resources allow MSPs to provide proactive support at a fraction of the cost of hiring full-time, in-house staff while ensuring they can cover all critical areas—network management, security, and user support.
2. Flexibility with Project-Based Support: Block of Hours
Another valuable resource option for MSPs is purchasing a block of hours from a skilled team to support IT projects. Many MSPs face challenges when their internal staff is overloaded with daily tasks, making it difficult to focus on larger initiatives. Purchasing a block of hours can be a game-changer for tackling these types of projects.
- Support for Common IT Projects: Whether it’s a cloud migration, network upgrades, software deployment, or implementing a new security solution, having a pool of hours available for on-demand use allows you to execute projects without delay. These hours are flexible and can be used when and where you need them most.
- Cost-Effective Resource Allocation: Instead of hiring additional full-time engineers, which adds to overhead, leveraging project hours offers a more flexible and cost-effective approach to meet project deadlines. This model allows you to only pay for what you need, making it ideal for MSPs with fluctuating project demands.
3. Dedicated Engineers: A Tailored Solution with Overlapping Shifts
For MSPs looking to expand their capabilities and scale service delivery while keeping control over resource management, adding a dedicated engineer is a powerful option. A dedicated engineer works as an extension of your team, fully managed by your MSP, and is available to work on a variety of tasks and projects.
- Wide Range of Expertise: A dedicated engineer can be tasked with day-to-day IT management, specific client needs, or high-level projects. They offer the technical expertise your clients need while providing flexibility in workload management.
- Direct Control: Since you manage the engineer, you have full control over task prioritization, project timelines, and communication. What’s more, a dedicated engineer is working directly with your tools including ticketing system to ensure seamless integration into your team and processes. This can lead to better integration with your team and a more consistent service delivery for your clients.
- Overlapping Shifts for Off-Hours Support: One of the major advantages of a dedicated engineer is the ability to schedule them during overlapping shifts. This allows for maintenance during off-hours and proactive handling of alert triage and critical incidents that happen outside of standard business hours. This flexibility helps you cover those tricky times while keeping projects moving forward during regular hours.
- Scalable Support: As your business grows, you can easily add more dedicated engineers to keep pace with demand. This model offers a scalable way to increase capacity without the overhead of a full internal team.
Conclusion: Scaling for Success with Flexible Resources
For MSPs, finding the right balance between service delivery and internal capacity is critical for long-term success. Whether through shared NOC, SOC, and Helpdesk teams, project-based support with a block of hours, or adding dedicated engineers with overlapping shifts, there are flexible options available to help you scale.
Investing in these resources ensures you have the capacity to meet your clients’ needs, take on larger projects, and maintain high standards of service delivery—all without overextending your internal team. In today’s competitive landscape, MSPs that can scale effectively and efficiently will stay ahead of the curve.
By adding these resources, you’re not just growing your business—you’re creating a stronger foundation for delivering exceptional service and building long-term client relationships.
MSPs
must balance service delivery with scalable resources to ensure long-term success.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. Always consider your specific needs and consult with a professional to determine the best backup management strategy for your organization.