How to Select Services to Offer MSP

One of the recurring challenges facing small to very small MSP, is what services to offer. Other services, such as providing MS Exchange messaging services are obviously no-brainer of the box. One way is to look through the IT department in our own society, to see what we offer services to society. Many MSPs start in a different line of business, such as ASP, or CRM / ERP software provider. Have the skills and resources needed to execute these services internally, discerning IT departments may decide to internal cost structure of its operations by limited services to their existing customers, often customer demand. Later, even more motivation to continue to expand these service offerings is demonstrated by a strategy to transform from a cost center into a profit center.

As we look around, we see common internal services, we can perform well, but are in fact resources. For example:

1. Service Desk. In an environment consistent with ITIL (you are consistent ITIL is not?), The service desk is the center of the universe. Most of its customers are faced with almost insurmountable challenges in the operation of their service / support without problems, mainly because of domestic politics and lack of maturation.

2. Construction of office and restaurant. As part of an organization directly responsible for external customers to provide a product such as software or advice, one of our competitive advantages is the flexibility of our staff. Directly to this flexibility is the speed and availability of our computer systems (desktops, laptops, etc.). we can not offer this service to our customers by reducing their annual costs and the learning curve, and our CPV?

3. Elimination System. How many times have you had a client ask about disposal of old systems? Why not offer it as a service? Granted, usually disposal costs are minimal, but work examination of the hand and research - two features that you've optimized for finding points to eliminate purpose (eg, suppliers, schools, organizations) and work (temporary employment organizations, suppliers, etc.).
 
4. Voice Network / data. Once your network engineers cleaned up the mess that you inherited from your predecessor, you'll find that maintenance is automated email alerts to decrease significantly and network engineers spend about 50% of their time on projects, 25% their time on maintenance and 25% of their time to help other terms / silos. good network engineers are hard to find and expensive to source. You can provide this network capability at a fraction of the cost of your client. An additional advantage is that this service will allow you to really learn the architecture of your customer (and not an opportunity to pass up). As you learn the architecture of your client, you will find more opportunities to help them with their internal problems.

5. Security. If you do good, by all means offer. If you have even a hint of a scruple pass. Be careful, and recommend having the knowledge gained in paragraph 4 above, before committing to this offer.

And we can add storage, application, data center and other services, almost ad finitum.

The above is not an exhaustive list of services, it simply shows the justification or reason to be able to offer data services, as examples. The general rule is that any service offered in your home business should be able to turn into a service offering. Other deals are created, designed and provisioned according to expertise, market needs, resource availability, costs and the company's guidance.