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What is Managed Service Provider Software?


Managed service provider (MSP) software is a software solution that helps MSP employees perform their function with greater ease and speed. The software enables MSPs to streamline and automate the client company’s internal operations and business processes.  

Managed service provider software helps MSPs offer and manage technology services, including cloud services, multi-factor authentication, security and more. MSP software can also include assessment capabilities to determine client needs using automation.




Contents

  1. What is a managed service provider?
  2. Why do companies work with managed service providers?
  3. What are the different types of managed service providers?
  4. What are some examples of managed services?
  5. What is managed service provider software?
  6. What are the main benefits of managed service provider software? 
  7. What are the disadvantages of managed service provider software?


What is a managed service provider? 


A managed service provider (MSP) is a third-party company that manages business processes and IT services for another organization. In the technology sector, MSPs are information technology (IT) service providers. They offer proactive monitoring, maintenance, and support for a range of services such as network, application, infrastructure, and security. MSPs manage tasks on-site, in their own data center or in a third-party data center.

Clients work with MSPs using service level agreements (SLAs) that control the relationship with the customer.


Why do companies work with MSPs?


Companies work with MSPs to improve their processes thanks to the quality of service they offer on specialist IT and other tasks. This helps the MSP client to focus on their specialty and not on expensive, time-consuming tasks. MSPs often handle any security or compliance risks, helping to minimize or eliminate negative impacts. This can be referred to as Security as a Service.  

Another benefit of working with MSPs is the ability to quickly access the latest and greatest technology. MSPs help customers access technology with a subscription based on consumption as part of a bundle of solutions.  

MSPs work with remote access to cloud-based systems, helping to control costs for both parties. Remote monitoring and management (RMM tools) are key as they help MSP work in real time on any issues on the clients’ networks.


What are the different types of managed service providers?


Managed service providers can take on IT services up to and including managing an entire IT infrastructure for another company. There are three types of managed service providers: pure-play MSPs, staffing legacy MSPs and high-level MSPs. Each of these three MSP types offer an increasingly broader level of services. 

  • Pure-play MSPs: Provide a limited scope of services and support
  • Staffing legacy MSPs: Offer a broad range of services and support
  • High-level MSPs: Take on the entire responsibility for IT services and support
Managed Service Provider Software




What are some examples of managed services?


MSPs offer services in a few broad categories, including infrastructure, IT, and technical support. Some examples of IT services managed by MSPs include: 

  • Cloud infrastructure management 
  • Cloud computing
  • Software as a service (SaaS) 
  • Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) 
  • XaaS (Everything / Anything as a Service) 
  • Managed wireless and mobile computing 
  • Data analytics

What is managed service provider software?


Managed service provider software is a platform or application that enables an MSP to deliver services to their customers. Some examples of the different types of MSP tools include:  

  • Cloud subscription management
  • Sales automation 
  • Remote monitoring and management (RMM software) 
  • Professional services automation (PSA software) 
  • Invoicing and billing 
  • Customer and contract management
  • Helpdesk and ticketing 


What are the main benefits of managed service provider software?

The main purpose of managed service provider software is to make delivering IT services easier and more efficient for MSPs. Depending on the managed service provider software chosen, there can be a variety of benefits. Let’s focus on a managed service provider software that enables automation for procurement, billing, and delivery with one system. Some of the benefits of this type of software include:  

  • Reduced costs: Unifying business operations for billing, procurement, and delivery in one system saves the expense of purchasing multiple systems 
  • Decreased overhead: Using automation in service delivery operations increases speed and accuracy while reducing the need for more team members 
  • Improved customer satisfaction: Having an MSP delivery software platform increases accuracy, provides billing visibility, speeds delivery and delights customers
  • Faster growth and increased profitability: Implementing an MSP platform to deliver new services and create new marketplaces helps accelerate growth and profit  
  • Enhanced operational efficiency: Adopting MSP software that offers automation helps to streamline and accelerate business processes

MSP software makes it possible for MSPs to deliver XaaS solutions to drive more revenue from the individual customers, increasing ARPU. Delivering XaaS with MSP software helps MSPs capture higher margins rather than companies that only pursue traditional offerings. MSP software that unifies processes in one system with multiple languages and currencies enables an MSP to scale worldwide.  

MSPs need software to scale because of the inefficiency of using multiple systems for operational processes. The use of MSP tools and platforms helps them serve customers with bundled MSP services, potentially with better conditions from vendors.  



What are the disadvantages of managed service provider software?

It’s important to select the right managed service software for your company. The software should support greater efficiency, productivity, and growth while helping the organization overcome challenges.

Certain MSP software brands fall short of customer preferences. MSP software solutions and service offerings should offer high quality product and service documentation, easy navigation, and post-sales support.







Ready to learn more about MSP management software and how CloudBlue can help your business?


Discover how we unify cloud procurement, offer solutions from 200+ vendors, and automate XaaS delivery. Check out these resources:


Future-Proofed Business MSP

Is Your Business Future-proofed?

Hypderscale XaaS MSP

Hyperscale XaaS growth with ecosystems

XaaS economy MSP

Learn How to Streamline XaaS procurement in the As a Service economy









Mike Jennett, Director of CloudBlue Platform Strategy, is an accomplished business and technology executive. With a deep focus on product development and go-to-market strategy, he plays a pivotal role driving strategic growth and market expansion. Mike’s career is characterized by his adeptness in driving technological advancements and his commitment to leading digital transformations with experience including IDC where he was VP of the Mobility and Digital Transformation IEP practices, and HP where he held numerous leadership roles. Mike’s expertise is also reflected in his published works and contributions to multiple tech publications. Mike holds a B.A. from California Polytechnic University.
Having previously to strategic product management, agile transformations, and user experience in CloudBlue, Taylor Giddens heads the Services & Solutions team where he ensures smooth delivery, operations and solution growth for our partners and customers.

The team includes technical account management, managed services, support, custom solution development, and customer enablement.

Prior to CloudBlue, his resume boasts leadership of some of the world’s largest companies during their digital transformations and marketplace launches. Taylor is a practitioner of servitude leadership when it comes to enabling his team to drive positive outcomes on the road to operational excellence.
Laurens van Alphen, a visionary entrepreneur with over 29 years of internet technology expertise, serves as Director of Technical Managed Services at CloudBlue, responsible for Operations and Delivery of CloudBlue SaaS.

As a Dutch racing champion and car enthusiast, he brings the same drive to the tech realm, steering Keenondots from a managed hosting firm to a global cloud enablement leader. Laurens is celebrated for his outcome-driven leadership, deep industry insight, and passion for balancing business innovation with client engagement.
Lincoln Lincoln is CloudBlue’s Head of Global Sales; having been with the company since November 2017. Leading CloudBlue’s global go-to-market organization, he’s responsible for driving accelerated and sustained mutual growth with CloudBlue’s customers and partners, as well as forming new customer partnerships across the Vendor and Provider ecosystem. As part of CloudBlue’s leadership team he is responsible the organisation’s revenue and continued market leadership by delivering and supporting products, services and solutions to organizations in established and new markets around the world.

Before joining CloudBlue, Lincoln was AppDirect’s Regional Director, Asia Pacific & Japan, responsible for forming, building and leading AppDirect’s business and operations across the APJ geography. He built and led AppDirect’s fastest growing and highest performing region globally within 3yrs.

Before joining AppDirect, Lincoln was EMC’s Practice Manager, Cloud Service Providers, APJ, working with the leading Service Providers to maximise their Cloud Business presence & market success. Lincoln joined EMC in 2007, and has over 20 years’ experience in the IT industry, having been based out of Singapore, Australia and the UK. Prior to EMC, he was in range of sales and channel positions at Symantec and VERITAS.

Lincoln has an Honours degree in Business Administration from Kingston University in the United Kingdom.
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Brent holds a law degree (LL.B.) from Queen’s University, a Psychology degree (B.A. Honours) from Lakehead University, and has been admitted to the bar in Ontario, Canada since 2002.
Anurag serves as the Head of Product Management for CloudBlue and is responsible for product direction and driving innovation. His leadership has been marked by a keen focus on customer needs, growing the ISV ecosystem, and ensuring the continual evolution of CloudBlue’s product portfolio.

Anurag joined Ingram Micro in 2017 and has been instrumental in, positioning CloudBlue as an industry leading monetization platform for MSP’s, Telco’s and Distributors. Previously Anurag worked at Oracle and Microsoft where he managed many technology projects and programs.
As VP of Engineering of CloudBlue, Rony oversees the development and engineering efforts of the company. He is a recognized leader with more than 25 years of experience in Technology and Product.

Prior to joining CloudBlue Rony lead the R&D efforts at Tripwire acquired by Thoma Bravo, and Cedexis acquired by Citrix. Rony is a leader with extensive experience in transforming both complex technology problems into products that customers love and disjointed organizations into agile high performing teams.
Coen is a distinguished leader and entrepreneur in the realm of cloud technology. Currently serving as CEO of Keenondots and the Global Director of CloudBlue SaaS. He is passionate about driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and leading high-performing teams to achieve transformative results.

With a background as Managing Director of INTO Cloud and a pivotal role as Director of Products of KPN, he brings a wealth of experience in steering organizations through the complexities of the digital landscape.

Beyond the boardroom, Coen is a marathon enthusiast, demonstrating endurance and discipline in pursuit of both professional and personal goals.
Alyson has over twenty years of experience in demand generation, marketing automation and data management. She is responsible for leading the strategy and direction of the company’s brand, performance, and digital marketing.

Prior to CloudBlue, Alyson served as Ingram Micro’s Director of Global Business Intelligence Marketing Automation driving channel partner campaigns. Her tenure in marketing leadership at prestigious companies such as Western Digital, Ocean Institute celebrates redefining marketing campaigns and building top performing teams based on trust, experimentation, and results.

Alyson resides with her husband and three children in Orange County and is an active volunteer and donor within her children’s sports and education programs.

Darek Tasak is leading Customer Success & Value Creation for CloudBlue. In his role, he looks after CloudBlue customers globally during the entire lifecycle of our relationship: from the initial on-boarding, through in-life account management, always ensuring they build successful businesses leveraging our technology. Additionally, he is also in charge of Partnership & Alliances, as well as Pricing Management for everything we commercialize.


Before CloudBlue, Darek managed Ingram Micro’s Services division for hi-tech customers in Europe & APAC. His prior experiences include also launching and leading pan-European services business for TDSynnex, as well as strategy consulting with Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

As President of CloudBlue, Uddhav is a distinguished leader and visionary with nearly two decades of platform-building experience. He is an industry leader in digital commerce, the subscription economy, and monetization platforms.


Notably, at SAP, he spearheaded the transformation of their platform business into a multi-cloud platform-as-a-service, offering enterprise and developer-friendly subscription models. At Pure Storage, he championed the efforts to successfully disrupt the storage industry by creating revolutionary Storage-as-a-service, AIOps-as-a-service, and Disaster Recovery-as-a-service offerings with cutting-edge features and establishing a sophisticated subscription commerce infrastructure that is channel-friendly.


At CloudBlue, Uddhav guides and empowers businesses to rethink their monetization strategies by unlocking the power of digital ecosystems and marketplaces. CloudBlue provides enterprises with a mature multi-tier, multi-channel marketplace and monetization platform that enables usage-based subscription models and global delivery of Anything-as-a-Service solutions. Uddhav has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of the subscription economy through his innovative thinking and impactful contributions.

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