Glossary
MSP (managed service provider)
Also called: Managed IT provider, managed IT services
In one sentence
An MSP is an outside company that runs and supports your IT on an ongoing basis — help desk, monitoring, updates, security and planning — usually for a predictable monthly fee.
The traditional alternative was “break-fix”: call a technician when something breaks and pay by the hour. A managed service provider takes ongoing responsibility instead. That typically includes a help desk for your staff, monitoring and maintenance through RMM tools, patch management, security tools, backups, onboarding and offboarding, vendor coordination and regular planning conversations. Beefed Up IT is an MSP.
Because the provider is paid the same whether things break or not, the incentive flips: preventing problems is better for both sides. Many MSPs also handle security, though deeper specialist security monitoring may come from an MSSP or MDR service.
Why it matters for a small practice or business: hiring a full-time IT person is expensive, and one person can't be an expert in networks, Microsoft 365, security and compliance — or cover vacations. An MSP spreads that expertise across a team. For medical and dental practices, your MSP is a business associate and should sign a BAA.
When comparing MSPs, look past the price. Ask what's included and what's billed extra, response times in the SLA, who actually does the work, how they secure their own tools, whether you own your admin accounts and documentation, and how you'd leave if needed.
Example: a seven-person CPA firm had relied on a part-time contractor. After moving to an MSP, new staff got set up before their first day, laptops were encrypted and managed, and the firm finally had written answers for its clients' security questionnaires.
See our managed IT cost guide and the in-house vs managed IT calculator.
Related terms
- MSSP (managed security service provider)An MSSP is a company that provides ongoing, outsourced security services — such as threat monitoring, log analysis and incident response — rather than general IT support.
- Help deskThe team (and system) your staff contact when something IT-related breaks or they need help, with every request tracked to completion.
- RMM (remote monitoring and management)RMM is the software IT providers install on computers and servers to monitor their health, install updates, run maintenance and connect remotely to fix problems.
- SLA (service level agreement)An SLA is the part of a service contract that defines measurable commitments — such as how quickly a provider responds to and resolves problems — and what happens if they miss them.
- Business associate agreement (BAA)A BAA is the written contract HIPAA requires between a covered entity (like your practice) and any vendor that creates, receives, stores or transmits patient information on your behalf.
- Patch managementPatch management is the ongoing process of installing security updates on operating systems, applications and devices — on a schedule, with tracking, so nothing is left unprotected.