By Continuum Guest Blog 1

converge2

Surprisingly, while technologies such as hosted telephony, backup and disaster recovery, endpoint management, server maintenance, managed print services and mobile device management are available as a managed service, they are rarely offered by one managed services provider (MSP) as a holistic package.  For end users, this is a challenge and a business inhibitor.

When it comes to technology, businesses – particularly smaller and midmarket organizations – are not experts. They do not have the staffing or management resources to build, manage and maintain business-enabling IT systems. This is the rationale for businesses to opt for managed services; what they can’t manage, they outsource. As more applications and business functions move to a services model, it creates another business challenge: sourcing multiple and varied IT expertise.

Companies know that managing multiple service and product suppliers is a hassle. Consider this: Each supplier has a different contract, service level agreement, billing cycle, sales representative, support infrastructure and management console. If a business uses multiple providers, it must learn and account for all of these factors, which are rarely in harmony.

Worse, from an operational perspective, the technology services delivered by multiple providers are rarely integrated, which diminishes their effectiveness and value.

Gaining the MSP Advantage

Businesses want fewer suppliers, period. MSPs that can deliver all these essential business services, and also the next generation of business infrastructure and application services, have a distinct advantage over niche-product providers. Recent research has shown that end customers will buy multiple services from the same provider if that provider can deliver the quality and convenience of a virtual holistic system and ongoing support.

Being that holistic provider is an admirable goal for every MSP, but it’s not easily achievable. Developing, integrating and supporting multiple and diverse services is expensive to create and maintain, which places many offerings out of reach of the average MSP.

At Continuum, we understand the challenges MSPs face in advancing their service offerings and business practices. Our hosted RMM platform and built-in network operations center (NOC) model is designed to alleviate the burden of technology development and support from MSPs so they can focus on sales and customer relationship management. The integrated RMM/NOC model pioneered by Continuum means MSPs have quick access to remediation instructions and expertise, and scalable technical support at an affordable price. In addition, Continuum has a 24 x 7 help desk (Continuum Service Desk) that combines round-the-clock coverage with Level 1 thru 3 technician support.

Expanded Managed Services through Partnerships

Recently, Continuum added industry-leading anti-malware features to our managed services offerings through a partnership with MalwareBytes. And, through another partnership with RapidFire Tools, we’ve added automated network assessment capabilities, which will help MSPs better evaluate and manage customer environments. These new additions complement existing partnerships with Datto, a leading backup and data recovery specialist and LogMein, which provides Continuum MSPs exclusive access to industry-leading remote access technology through a single set of managed services. These are examples of how Continuum is continuously expanding its capabilities to provide an integrated set of services to our MSPs so they can improve their service delivery to end users.

Continuum is committed to expanding our breadth of services and support capacity to become the top hosted managed services provider with the most comprehensive set of offerings on the market. This expansion of consolidated services will provide you, the MSP, with greater value in your business model, as well as value in the eyes of your customers.

Steve Ricketts - Continuum