MSP (Managed Service Provider)
Also known as: Managed Service Provider, Managed IT Provider
A company that remotely manages a customer's IT infrastructure and end-user systems under a subscription or retainer model.
A managed service provider (MSP) assumes ongoing responsibility for a defined set of IT services on behalf of its clients. Unlike break-fix IT support (pay when something breaks), MSPs operate on recurring subscription contracts covering proactive monitoring, patch management, helpdesk support, backup, and vendor management. MSPs typically monitor environments 24/7 using remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools and provide predictable monthly IT costs. For organizations without large internal IT departments, an MSP can deliver enterprise-grade IT management at a fraction of the cost of building those capabilities in-house.