How managed service providers can accelerate the digital transformation of your business

More than ever, businesses are turning to Managed Service Providers (MSPs) for assistance with their digital transformation. 

Retail companies look to integrate mobile devices for inventory management and customer data. And organizations in the healthcare sector require software systems and devices to keep front-line workers connected. 

As the complexity of adopting technology grows, businesses are looking for ways to use technology to their advantage.

Table of contents

• What are MSPs?
• What can MSP implementation do for a business?
• The power of digital transformation for businesses
• Common IT challenges faced by high-growth businesses
• How MSPs can help
• 5 ways Samsung Knox MSPs can help your business
• MSPs are more than just service providers—they're strategic partners

What are MSPs?

Simply put, an MSP is a trusted third-party company that takes the hassle out of managing your IT infrastructure, offering services like network administration, data backup, security, IT support, and more. Many businesses choose to outsource these efforts because it allows them to focus on growth and innovation while leaving the complexities of IT management to dedicated professionals.

What can MSP implementation do for a business?

In business, MSPs are specialized organizations that take on the crucial role of managing and delivering tailored services to companies based on their specific needs. These services are ongoing and, typically, administered remotely. They encompass various aspects of business operations, from overseeing IT infrastructure and digital optimization to ensuring data security and other tasks. 

MSPs are invaluable strategic partners, collaborating with businesses of all sizes, to enhance operational efficiency and accelerate digital transformation.

The power of digital transformation for businesses

Businesses have to rise to the challenge of digital transformation or risk being left behind. Below are five key changes they’ve had to undergo:

1. Adapting to remote and hybrid work models: In response to the evolving work landscape, many businesses are embracing hybrid work models that blend remote and in-office work. IT teams now face the added responsibility of managing PCs, laptops, and local corporate networks and ensuring secure remote access to corporate data and networks via employees’ corporate devices. The workload and difficulty involved in IT management has increased exponentially.
   
   
2. Expanding online services: Consumer behaviors have shifted dramatically over the past few years. People have become more reliant on online shopping, e-commerce, and digital communication. This shift highlights the importance of having a seamless omnichannel presence to meet customers where they are and provide a consistent experience across all channels.
   
   
3. Enhancing cybersecurity measures: Remote work brings new security challenges as employees rely on home networks, unsecured Wi-Fi, and personal devices.
   
   
4. Investing in collaboration tools: In response to changing work trends and the rise of hybrid work environments, many businesses are increasingly investing in remote collaboration tools to encourage remote teamwork and increase productivity.
   
   
5. Increasing demand for remote IT support: With employees working from various locations, there’s a higher demand for remote IT support to resolve issues quickly.

Common IT challenges faced by high-growth businesses

These changes bring a host of challenges, especially for high-growth businesses. Below are some of the most common obstacles businesses face in this new era:

• Increasing IT complexities: As businesses pursue digital transformation, IT work has become more complex. One could blame the shift to remote work, accelerated technology adoption, and the need for robust cybersecurity measures. Whatever the cause, the impact is clear: IT teams have their work cut out for them.
  
  
• Lack of IT resources: Despite the growing demands on IT teams, resource shortages have become increasingly evident, making the already challenging workload even harder to manage. Reports show that over 40% of SMEs have no internal IT staff, and most only have one generalist on hand.
  
  
• Worsening cybersecurity threat: Growing cybersecurity threats continue to add pressure to IT teams everywhere. 60% of businesses have experienced a financially damaging cyberattack in the past 12 months. What's even more concerning? Over 40% report difficulty understanding cybersecurity and knowing which solutions to implement and how (Source: Connectwise, The SMB opportunity for MSPs: 2021-2026).
  
  
• Regulatory and compliance challenges: Governments introduced regulations and guidelines to address issues related to data privacy, cybersecurity, and the increasing reliance on digital platforms. As businesses move more of their operations online, the need to protect sensitive information becomes critical. However, over 40% of SMEs have stated that they don’t understand how to navigate the compliance regulations related to IT (Source: Connectwise, The SMB opportunity for MSPs: 2021-2026).
  
  
• Transitions to new technology: The barrier to adopting new technologies can be challenging for businesses. Learning new technology and changing processes can demand significant time, money, and expertise.

How MSPs can help

As high-growth businesses face pressure to scale to reach that next level of revenue generation, piling internal workloads and bigger targets can leave teams lost and burnt out. Setting aside time to spend on operations to scale every area of the business is often not possible.

That’s where MSPs come in.

MSPs' expertise and ability to scale services will decrease implementation times. They’re an extension of a company's IT department, offering expertise, resources, and round-the-clock monitoring to keep technology systems running smoothly. Additionally, managed service providers have the flexibility to scale capacity up or down quickly and can accelerate digital transformation.

By partnering with MSPs, business owners can overcome barriers to adopting new technologies, and gain a competitive edge in the market. These services are becoming a significant part of their IT budgets, driven by several factors, including a shift away from traditional on-site IT support.

According to Analysys Mason's SMB Technology Forecaster, SMBs spent a substantial 337 billion on IT and managed services in 2022, which accounted for 24% of their total IT spending. The forecast suggests this spending is expected to grow to 406 billion by 2026, highlighting the increasing demand among SMEs for consultative IT support and services.

This growing investment by SMEs is also reflected in how quickly the MSP market is growing. The same research also shows that over $90 billion in new spending is expected in managed IT services by 2026.

The demand for Managed Mobility Services (MMS) is also rising as businesses see the benefits of outsourcing mobile device management to specialized providers. These providers are well-positioned to meet the growing demand effectively. According to a study by Market Research Future (MRFR), the MMS market is projected to hit USD 33.3 Billion by 2030, at a 26.29% compounded annual growth rate—unsurprising given the benefits they provide.

How MSP implementation can help grow your business

Efficiency and specialization: MSPs excel in deploying their staff efficiently and providing access to a wide range of specialists. This means businesses can benefit from a dedicated team of IT experts without the overhead of hiring and managing an in-house IT department. With professional services such as initial device setup and staff training, MSPs empower your existing IT team to focus on core responsibilities while leaving specialized tasks to the experts. This not only streamlines your IT operations but also enhances productivity.

Improve the customer experience: As customers continue to prioritize convenience, businesses need a strategy (and support) to engage customers through multiple integrated digital channels. MSPs can handle these tasks, allowing businesses to concentrate on what really matters: operations and customers. Take Samsung Knox Configure, for example. This functionality enables businesses to create a customized, user-friendly customer experience by streamlining interaction, reducing friction, and ensuring consistent branding across all devices. 

Cybersecurity and compliance expertise: For many SMEs, cybersecurity and compliance may differ from the core skillset. However, these aspects are critical in today's digital landscape, where data breaches and regulatory fines pose significant risks. MSPs are well-versed in providing secured IT services and are adept at dealing with regulatory bodies to understand emerging best practices.

Proactive monitoring: MSPs use advanced tools to monitor systems 24/7, identifying and addressing issues before they disrupt operations. This proactive approach minimizes downtime and maximizes efficiency.

Transitioning to new technologies: MSP implementation can lower barriers to adopting new technology by leveraging valuable experience and expertise with digital optimization and the new tech stack.

5 ways Samsung Knox MSPs can help your business

The Samsung Knox Partner Program works with MSPs that excel at endpoint management and aim to help SMEs and enterprises offload the intricacies of mobility management to professionals who specialize in it. Here's how Knox-empowered MSPs excel:

1. Expertise and accreditation

When you choose a Knox-certified MSP, you're partnering with Samsung Authorized Partners, who are committed to delivering top-notch service. Look for Knox-recommended MSPs and Premium MSPs, as they adhere to the highest standards of service excellence. Plus, their strong relationship with Samsung's sales team ensures smooth purchasing and overall service delivery.

2. Super strict security protocols

Samsung Galaxy devices are already renowned for their high-level security. But when you partner with Knox-certified MSPs, you get an added layer of protection. Knox Suite - Enterprise Plan further enhances security with features like the Security Center which identifies vulnerabilities and compromised devices, allowing swift action to mitigate security risks. Your assets and data are shielded from cyber threats, ensuring peace of mind. After all, Knox transformed Android into a viable business operating system from a security standpoint. And even more impressive; Knox Suite was picked by the Pontifical Swiss Guard (Guardia Svizzera Pontificia, or, GSP) for its military-grade tools and mobile protection. The GSP is responsible for protecting the Pope and the Papal Palace in Vatican City. In other words: They needed a solution suitable for a highly-secured place like the Vatican.

Try Knox Suite - Enterprise Plan for free

3. End-to-end support

Knox MSPs offer a one-stop-shop experience, providing capabilities that assist with Knox licensing, as well as device sales and support. Samsung MSPs can help you meet your customers’ evolving business needs and add value to your service offering, increasing customer retention and satisfaction through digital optimization and enhanced service delivery.

4. A tailored service portfolio

Knox-certified MSPs offer a diverse service portfolio tailored to meet your business needs. Whether it's device setup, management, OS version control, analytics or custom configurations to align with your unique requirements, Knox has you covered. You also benefit from services like Samsung Care+ for Business for prompt device issue resolution, ensuring uninterrupted business operations.

5. Performance-based service-level agreements

Samsung Knox Premium MSPs are all entitled to provide you with 24/7 Partner Technical Support that Samsung experts back.

MSPs are more than just service providers—they're strategic partners

Managed service providers can accelerate the digital transformation of your business, especially those leveraging the powerful features of Samsung Knox. With the ability to onboard and manage customers at scale, MSPs are a strategic choice for improving overall user experience while streamlining management overhead. What’s more, the simplicity of managing all services and devices through a single account ensures greater control, visibility, and peace of mind.

Embracing an MSP means not just outsourcing IT management but unlocking a competitive edge and achieving sustained productivity in today's dynamic business landscape—all with the assurance of top-tier security and services from Samsung Knox. Find an MSP today.