puzzle pieces

BDR

MSPs are certainly capable of building their own solutions, but do not always realize the cost of assembling, managing and maintaining these custom solutions. The total cost of ownership (TCO) argument is one you definitely need to pay attention to. Not only will building your own solution be a huge time investment, but will also require constant development to keep up with advances in technology. Don’t underestimate the amount of time you will spend creating and managing custom solutions.

You also need to consider that 3rd party vendors operate on a scale advantage when it comes to storing data. For example, adding the 6,000,001st GB of data to Datto’s cloud is far more cost effective than an MSP adding their 5th GB. At nine cents per gig, Datto has one of the lowest cost per gig off-site storage rates in the industry.

Liability is another concern to factor into the equation. When you build your own cloud, you assume 100% responsibility for the data. Building your own cloud is difficult and requires a lot of expertise. Also, many backup vendors are aware of HIPPA, SOX, PCI, etc., requirements, and tailor their solutions to ensure compliance. When you choose to build a solution on your own you run the risk of running into the vendor blame game, going it your own means that you are taking on 100% of the responsibility.

At the end of the day, building, managing and maintaining business continuity solutions are not what MSPs specialize in. A MSPs core business is to provide their clients with the best technology and the highest level of service, all for an affordable rate. Every hour that’s put into a project of this scale is an hour that is not being dedicated to servicing existing clients or searching for new ones.

Business continuity vendors, like Datto, have already done much of the work when it comes to designing a complete and robust solution. MSPs can leverage Datto’s advanced technology and industry expertise to provide their clients with the best solution possible at an affordable price point.

So before you make the leap into creating your own backup solution, assess each of the building blocks of business continuity and make sure you have a solid plan of action. If the endeavor becomes too costly or time consuming, have no fear, Datto is here.

Shannon Kohn is marketing and channel relations director at Datto Inc., a storage specialist that works closely with MSPs. Monthly guest blogs such as this one are part of MSPmentor’s annual platinum sponsorship. Read all of Datto’s guest blogs here.