Top 3 MSP Scalability Challenges in 2023 & How to Solve Them

Since the pandemic, managed service providers (MSPs) have seen increased interest (Figure 1).

That growth is partly fueled by companies going remote and requiring expert IT assistance to support and maintain operations. And the dependency on managed services seems to be growing: By 2025, at least 60%¹ of organizations will be dependent on MSPs.

However, an expanding client base² and scale, the costs and an evolving technology landscape, is creating the following major scalability challenges for MSPs:

1. Talent and skills shortages: 66%³ of worldwide IT decision-makers lamented their skills gaps, while 9% were unaware if whether there was any at all
2. Client satisfaction and support: 80% ⁴ of MSPs’ customers want to replace their existing MSPs in the next year because of poor services
3. Compliance and cybersecurity threats: 23% ⁵ are dealing with more advanced and sophisticated cybersecurity threats, which makes it challenging to adhere to industry-specific regulations

In this article, we will explain in more detail how cloud managed service providers can offer their customers a more attractive value proposition by dealing with their top 3 scalability challenges.

Disclaimer

A MSP business could face the same business challenges any other company faces. Writing a generic best practices article would not have been value-adding. So, we limited this list to solely focus on documented, data-backed, and publicly-verifiable MSP business challenges specifically.

1. Improving client satisfaction

1.1. Listening to what customers want

MSPs are struggling⁶ with signing new clients and retaining the existing ones. This lowers profitability, reduces operational efficiency, costs more and hurts scaling initiatives.

To mitigate these challenges, MSPs can do the following:

Managed services should follow industry growth trends to see what their clients need. For example, in 2023, the following security services are expected to be offered more⁷(Figure 5).

Or because⁸ the security concerns of clients about:

• Viruses/malware
• COVID-19 related scams or threats
• Phishing attempts
• Endpoint threats

Are increasing, more MSP businesses are offering:

• Antivirus
• Endpoint threats detection
• Anti-phishing solution
• Password protection, etc.

MSPs should follow market demands and other MSPs to offer solutions around the common roadblocks to make their clients happier. Should MSP owners need to offer a customized service according to their customers’ needs, they can establish strategic partnership with technology providers.

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1.2. Minimizing disjointed integrations

61%⁹ of MSPs’ clients see having remote workers as their top challenge (Figure 3). An extension of having remote workers is dealing with disjointed applications and having too many different tools and resources to work with.

MSPs can focus on consolidating tools, processes and platforms they offer their old and new customers. For instance, opt for comprehensive solutions that offer multiple functionalities, like RMM, PSA, and IT documentation within a single platform. This helps them handle more inquiries without needing to invest in more infrastructure.

Consolidation of disjointed application is also particularly important to most MSPs (Figure 4)¹⁰:

2. Solving the talent shortage

Talent shortage is a macro challenge and not limited to one company or industry, with global hiring having a YoY decline¹¹(Figure 2).

But the IT sector is seemingly hit harder than some. Since 2016¹², there’s a 145% increase in the number of IT decision-makers who say there’s a critical workforce skill gap, with 76% actively suffering from it.

With growing market demands, a scalable business should be equipped to handle their growing client base. MSPs can address their staff shortage challenges in the following ways:

2.1. Investing in training & development

Courses and certifications can help MSP’s employees develop expertise in various IT areas, like networking, cloud computing infrastructure, virtualization, cybersecurity, IT service management, and project management processes.

Popular courses include:

I) Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certifications

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate: Designing and deploying AWS-based solutions
• AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate: Skills required for deploying, managing, and operating AWS-based systems

II) Cisco Certifications

• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA): Networking fundamentals– routing, switching, and basic network troubleshooting
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP): Advanced networking skills– network design, implementation, and troubleshooting

III) CompTIA Certifications

• CompTIA A+: Fundamental IT skills– hardware, software, and networking
• CompTIA Network+: Networking concepts, tools, and best practices
• CompTIA Security+: Foundational knowledge in IT security concepts, tools, and best practices

IV) Microsoft Certifications

• Azure Administrator Associate: Skills and knowledge related to Azure administration, including managing cloud services and resources.
• Azure Solutions Architect Expert: Designing and implementing Azure-based solutions
• Modern Desktop Administrator Associate: Skills required to manage and maintain Windows 10 and Microsoft 365 environments

V) TIL® Certifications

• ITIL® 4 Foundation: Foundational knowledge of IT service management best practices based on the ITIL® framework
• ITIL® 4 Managing Professional: Advanced IT service management concepts and practices

VI) VMware Certifications

• Data Center Virtualization (VCP-DCV): Skills related to designing, installing, and managing VMware vSphere environments
• Network Virtualization (VCP-NV): VMware NSX networking and security solutions

VII) Project Management Certifications

• Project Management Professional (PMP): Project management best practices and methodologies
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM): Agile project management and the Scrum framework

2.2. Participating in industry events and networking

Participating in industry events and networking can help MSPs address their skill gaps through:

I) Connecting with potential talent

Interacting with skilled professionals, identifying potential talent, and building a pipeline of candidates for current and future hiring needs.

II) Learning about the latest trends and technologies

Attending presentations, panel discussions, and workshops that cover the latest trends and technologies in the IT industry. This helps MSPs stay informed and adapt their services accordingly.

III) Engaging with thought leaders and experts

Networking at industry events allows MSPs to connect with thought leaders, experts, and peers, facilitating the exchange of ideas, best practices, and insights that can help MSPs address skill gaps and improve their service offerings.

IV) Building brand awareness and credibility

By participating in industry events, MSPs can showcase their expertise, share success stories, and demonstrate thought leadership, which can help attract skilled professionals to their organization.

Some specific software industry events and conferences relevant to MSPs include:

• MSPWorld: Offers networking opportunities, presentations, and panel discussions on various topics related to the MSP industry.
• Channel Partners Conference & Expo: A major event for channel partners, including MSPs, VARs, and agents, this conference features industry speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities.
• IT Nation Connect: A premier event for MSPs and IT service providers, offering educational sessions, keynote presentations, and networking opportunities.
• ASCII IT Success Summits: They provide MSPs with opportunities to network, learn from industry experts, and participate in roundtable discussions.
• DattoCon: Annual conference for MSPs that focuses on business growth, technology trends, and networking opportunities.

3. Solving compliance and cybersecurity concerns

Before the 4th of July weekend of 2021, a ransomware attack¹³ on Kaseya software, used by many MSPs, shed light on the vulnerability of the outsourced managed services sector. 1,500 businesses were disrupted by the attack. Unsurprisingly, MSP’s clients have a security posture problem and are turning to MSPs for help:

• 77% of MSPs’ clients were hit by a cyberattack
• 65% of MSPs increased their revenue from selling cybersecurity-related services

But it’s not only the clients who should be prepared. As MSPs themselves grow, so does their surface attack area. Like putting on the oxygen mask in the airplane, MSPs should first help themselves before others.

The following steps can help MSPs in improving their security posture:

1. Implementing more robust security policies

Develop and enforce comprehensive security policies that cover aspects such as access control, data protection, incident response, and employee training. Regularly review and update these policies to ensure their effectiveness.

2. Regularly patching and updating systems

Ensure that all software, applications, and operating systems are regularly updated and patched to address security vulnerabilities. This includes your MSP’s own systems, as well as those of your clients.

3. Conducting regular security assessments

Regularly assess your MSP’s security posture and identify vulnerabilities through penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and security audits. Address any identified weaknesses and continuously work to improve your security measures.

4. Leveraging threat intelligence

Stay informed about the latest cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities, and trends by leveraging threat intelligence feeds and resources. Use this information to adapt and enhance your MSP’s security measures as needed.

5. Deploying intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS)

Implement IDPS solutions to monitor network traffic, detect potential threats, and prevent unauthorized access or data breaches.

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Find the Right Vendors

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