MSPs Need to Automate Processes to Realize Full Potential

Managed service providers (MSPs) are usually experts at helping their customers automate their operations and achieve cost savings on capital and operational expenditures. After all, providing efficiencies and cost savings is the key to succeeding in the managed services space, and MSPs excel in bringing that value to their clients. But when it comes to running their own businesses, service providers may fall short in these areas.

Practicing what you preach is an important tenet for any business, and there are a number of ways that service providers can run their operations more efficiently.

One of the most time-consuming tasks for an MSP is putting together deals and pricing quotes for prospective customers. Because most service providers offer customized solutions tailored to clients’ specific needs and core business initiatives, this can be a tricky process. Automation can be crucial to coming up with the best pricing and deals, and a professional services automation (PSA) solution may be the answer for many MSPs.

According to Global Industry Analysts (GIA), the PSA software market will be worth a whopping $7.63 billion by 2017. Solutions typically automate and integrate business functions affiliated with service delivery as well as business development. But PSA offerings can also help MSPs allocate their resources more efficiently, including people, time and intellectual capital. And that can add up to major savings for a service provider.

GIA claims that PSA solutions produce tangible results in the form of better quality of information, productivity increases and insights into organizational performance. They can also lead to better decision-making capabilities, increased accountability and heightened knowledge. Major players in the PSA space, according to GIA, include Aderant Holdings, Aplicor, Autotask, Compuware, Connectwise, Microsoft Dynamics, NetSuite OpenAir, Oracle, Sage and SAP.

Whether MSPs choose a prepackaged solution, a homegrown one or a hybrid offering, automating service delivery, pricing and other important tasks can lead to major cost savings and efficiencies and give them a huge competitive advantage.