A managed service provider (MSP) is a type of cloud service provider (CSP) that offers cloud services to customers on a pay-as-you-go basis. MSPs typically manage all aspects of a customer's cloud environment, including provisioning, monitoring, security, and billing.
MSPs offer a variety of cloud services, including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). IaaS provides customers with access to a pool of computing resources, such as servers, storage, and networking, that can be used to run applications. PaaS provides a platform for customers to develop, test, and deploy applications. SaaS provides customers with access to software applications that they can use on a pay-as-you-go basis.
MSPs use a variety of tools and technologies to manage customer environments, including cloud management platforms (CMPs), cloud service management (CSM) platforms, and cloud monitoring tools. CMPs are used to provision, manage, and monitor customer environments. CSM platforms are used to manage customer service requests, such as provisioning new services or making changes to existing services. Cloud monitoring tools are used to monitor customer environments for performance, capacity, and security issues.
The benefits of using an MSP include:
- Pay-as-you-go pricing model
- Increased flexibility and agility
- Reduced IT costs
- Increased focus on core business
The risks of using an MSP include:
- Vendor lock-in
- Reduced control over the environment
- Dependence on the MSP
When selecting an MSP, it is important to consider the following factors:
- Services offered
- Pricing model
- Support
- SLAs
- Security
- Compliance
- Certification