Reading the latest Quocirca managed IT services study got me thinking. Who is best placed to win as convergence brings the MPS and Managed IT sectors closer together?
The Quocirca managed IT services study reveals that 86% of UK IT decision-makers consider a single managed service provider (MSP) for both IT and print infrastructure. The report suggests that the convergence between IT and print drives MPS providers to adapt their business models to include IT services.
Quocirca suggests that after almost two years of disruption, organisations are faced with the reality of creating a secure and productive hybrid workplace. IT service delivery is increasingly complex, encompassing remote support and management, cloud enablement, security, collaboration tools, and provisioning and supporting equipment for both remote and office employees.
I agree with the above. Everyone is looking to maximise productivity and is prepared to invest in achieving it. The question is do you get your MPS provider to take over and manage your IT, or do you get your managed IT provider to take over your MPS. Or a third option – do you bring it all in house?
Bringing IT management in house is probably a non-starter, simply because you are not starting from scratch. You will have all sorts of technology, legacy issues etc., compounded by any additions added to the system to facilitate collaborative and hybrid working.
No matter how big a business is, IT is the company’s backbone and facilitates all the communication, business and economic efficiency processes, and specialist applications the business will need, and print is just a part of that.
In the last two years, the way we communicate, shop and work have changed significantly. Technology is at the heart of all businesses and relies heavily on IT to stay competitive and grow. That beggars the question are MPS providers best placed to deliver managed IT? Or are managed IT providers best placed to deliver MPS?
The answer is, I guess both are. If they have the expertise you need and can deliver on supporting technology, return your investment and enhance your security. After all, you want to minimise team member downtime and ensure your core business focus is not compromised without spending a fortune on new hardware and software. However, I think MPS providers have the bigger mountain to climb to deliver managed IT.
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