A typical MSP will spend about 15 %– 20 % of their gross revenue on IT management software . To make the most out your investment , be sure the products you invest in are built for the challenges that service providers serving small- to mid-size businesses face and have tight integrations with one another , enabling you to streamline your business , increase your technician efficiency , and grow your business .

Here ’ s a look at the five essential tools you need to run a successful business .

Robust Remote Monitoring And Management ( RMM )

Your RMM solution proactively monitors and maintains systems , detects issues and fixes them , and helps you move your MSP more easily to a subscription-fee model , creating consistent revenue flows and better visibility into the health of your business . A robust RMM solution should provide powerful automation , remote control , and third-party patch management , all of which will enable you to reduce labor costs and scale your business .

Comprehensive Professional Services Automation ( PSA )

Your PSA is the nerve center of your MSP operation . Not only do you need software that allows you to easily create , manage , and resolve all your service requests and tickets , but your solution should also include billing , project management , and asset documentation . Several vendors offer integrated PSA / RMM as well as integrations with other IT business management tools that can make your technician ’ s life simpler , provide you with opportunities to create more of an automated business , and drive your business ’ s efficiency .

Effective Backup And Disaster Recovery

Backup is much more than old pieces of dusty hardware . Be a hero and reduce your customer ' s downtime with instant recovery , ransomware detection , and automated DR testing fueled by AI and machine learning . Look for a vendor that provides competitive SaaS backup offerings , especially for core business SaaS applications like Microsoft 365 , G Suite , and Salesforce .

Automated IT Documentation

Documentation is critical for effective IT support . Technicians who have access to documentation about the infrastructure they support can dramatically reduce the time it takes them to resolve issues . A better documented business mitigates operational risk and increases the quality of support by creating repeatable procedures . Be sure your IT documentation platform has strong automation capabilities to decrease the amount of human intervention required to create , maintain , and share documentation .

Expansive Security Suite

When it comes to security in 2021 , you ' ll need to assemble a collection of tools to cover all the bases . Modern security tools protect SMBs from phishing , ransomware , dark web compromise , and the advanced virus and malware tactics in use . Employee security training is another smart offering for any MSP to provide in 2021 . Dark web monitoring is hands down one of the best prospecting door openers , as it immediately identifies the huge risk to the business . Look for vendors that can integrate backup and compliance with security offerings to get the most bang for your buck .