25 Essential Managed Services for Small Businesses

The modern technology environment places significant demands on small businesses. Customers want the same level of convenience and service that they get from larger organizations. This makes your technology needs just as complex as the biggest players in your industry.

How do you solve this problem with limited resources?

How do you get the IT support your business needs?

The answer is an MSP (managed service provider). But not every MSP is a great fit for a small business. You want a provider who’s comprehensive and flexible enough to meet your needs—all at realistic price point.

In this article, we’ll go over 25 essential managed services for small businesses. But first, let’s talk about the benefits of using an MSP.

Why choose managed services?

Small businesses face unique challenges in any economic client, but that’s especially true today. Inflation and supply chain issues are forcing companies to get creative as they meet customers’ needs while controlling costs.

Here are the biggest challenges for small businesses—and how managed IT services help.  

Cashflow

Income variations make it tough for small businesses to create and maintain working budgets. This problem gets worse when a managed service provider engages in unpredictable billing. Many MSPs claim to offer “unlimited” or “unmetered” support and service consumption, but when you read the fine print, there are many exceptions that will generate unexpected bills.

In terms of cashflow and budget stability, small businesses should insist on 100% predictable MSP pricing.

Hint: That’s what we offer here at Corsica. Learn more here: The Corsica Difference.

Hiring and retaining talent

Small businesses don’t always have the budget to hire IT staff. Even those that have the funds may encounter additional challenges. IT and cybersecurity professionals command high salaries, and they churn frequently.

How bad is the problem?

In our study of IT outsourcing trends, we found that 42% of companies struggle with IT staffing issues. We also found that solving the problem correlates with 125% higher profit growth.

Clearly, small businesses need to address this issue. The right MSP can fill the gap with an entire team of specialists—at a highly affordable price point.

Regulatory compliance

This is one of the biggest holes in the capabilities of most small businesses. Regulatory compliance creates a significant workload, and it’s often more than internal staff can handle.

The right MSP can help. IT compliance services provide the gap assessment, roadmap, and remediation you need to achieve and maintain compliance.

Cybersecurity

Today’s cyber threat landscape is evolving fast. Even large companies and enterprises may struggle to keep up with new threats, new controls, and changing best practices. It’s even tougher for small businesses to meet these requirements. And as larger organizations harden their defenses, cyber criminals are turning to small businesses as softer targets.

Managed cyber security services are the answer. The right provider can cover all your bases, with continuous monitoring and remediation services, at a highly affordable price.

But not all providers are created equal.

The key? Look for a Cybersecurity Service Guarantee that offers free incident remediation services, with limitations.

No strategic roadmap

Despite best intentions, it’s tough for small businesses to nail down a strategic roadmap—then stick to it. Day-to-day operations and putting out fires tend to eat up your team’s energy.

The right MSP can help here. Look for a provider who offers vCIO consulting services to help you determine where you need to go with technology. With a roadmap in place, you’ll be equipped to deal with new challenges while growing your business and staying ahead of the curve.

25 essential managed services

With limited internal resources, small businesses benefit greatly from managed services. But it pays to get selective. You want to get maximum value while minimizing your costs. Here’s what small businesses need the most.

Managed IT services

1. Managed network services

Someone has to take care of your network. Your MSP can help with expert technicians who will maximize your network performance while also handling preventative maintenance and support requests.

2. Managed workstation services

Employee workstations come with unique challenges. The right MSP will take ownership of your workstations, providing essential support and maintenance.

3. Managed server services

Your servers are the lifeblood of your data landscape. Managed server services help small businesses keep running smoothly with proactive support for these essential devices.

4. Microsoft 365 managed services

Microsoft 365 isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it system. To get the most out of it, you need to configure it properly and maintain it. Small businesses can leverage significant efficiency gains when they use M365 to the fullest, and an MSP can help you get there.

5. New location IT implementation

Are you opening a new location or branch? Your MSP should help with a full IT implementation for this new location. Yet many MSPs don’t include these types of projects in your monthly fee. Here at Corsica, our unlimited, unmetered service packages include new location implementations for no additional fee.

6. Backup and disaster recovery services

Are your prepared for critical data loss? Most small businesses aren’t. Managed service providers can help with essential services for backup and disaster recovery.

Data integration services

Most managed service providers don’t handle EDI services or data integration. This forces small businesses to work with multiple providers, which increases the cost and complexity of your technology environment. Corsica Technologies is different. We handle data integration in addition to all the “standard” services of an MSP. Here are the specific services to look for.

7. Data integration services

Self-service integration solutions often leave something to be desired. They’re not flexible enough to keep up with complex requirements or updates to connected systems. Comprehensive MSPs can solve this problem for small businesses. The key is robust data integration solutions and services.

8. EDI solutions and services

EDI is a tough nut to crack. It’s complex and overwhelming yet essential for communicating with essential trading partners. Most small businesses are forced to work with multiple service providers (one for IT and one for EDI)—unless your MSP covers it all, as we do here at Corsica Technologies.

9. Cloud integration services

How are your cloud systems going to talk to each other? Most small businesses don’t have a good answer here. The right MSP can solve this problem with reliable solutions and services for cloud integration.

Hardware as a service

10. Device as a service

Some organizations don’t want the responsibility that comes with taking full ownership of their devices. MSPs solve this problem with hardware as a service (also known as device as a service). The right MSP can provide you with computers, mobile devices, firewalls, routers, wireless access points, and more—all without the hassle and responsibility of ownership, continuous maintenance, and upgrades performed by your team.

11. Proactive device management and replacement

It’s hard for small businesses to keep up with the latest operating systems and device capabilities. It’s easy to go on using devices that are inefficient at best—or vulnerable to cyber attacks. Hardware as a service solves this issue, as your MSP takes full ownership of your devices, ensuring you’re always secure and up to date.

12. Wireless network upgrades

When’s the last time you upgraded your wireless network? These projects can be prohibitively expensive for small businesses, yet they’re essential to keep your team productive and your network secure. This is why the best MSPs include coverage for network refreshes in your monthly price, as we do here at Corsica Technologies. You can stay secure and up to date without getting broadsided by a massive refresh project.

Managed cybersecurity services

13. Managed endpoint detection and response (MDR)

Is every endpoint (connected device) secured on your network? Is there suspicious activity on any device? How would you know? Managed detection and response (MDR) solves this problem. It’s a next-generation managed technology that your MSP uses to detect potential cyber attacks and lock them down.

14. Infrastructure and server monitoring (SIEM)

Do you have a single screen where you can see every related to cybersecurity in real time? Most small businesses don’t. The answer is a SIEM solution (security information and event management). This sophisticated software gives you and your MSP real-time visibility into the security status of your environment.

15. Security alerting and containment

If a cyber incident occurs, who’s getting notified? And who’s going to contain the threat? These are essential questions. For small businesses with limited resources, the answer is security alerting and containment services from your MSP. Your provider will get notified of suspicious activity, and their team can jump in and contain the threat ASAP.

16. Managed patching

Are all your patches up to date? Do you really have the time and energy to manage them? Most small businesses struggle here. That’s why the best MSPs provide managed patching services that keep their clients current and secure.

17. Secure internet gateway

Is your network protected from malicious intrusions? A secure internet gateway provides the filtering and control you need. Your MSP will use it to keep your environment safe and secure so your operations keep running smoothly.

18. Phish testing and cybersecurity awareness training

Do your employees know how to spot a phishing email? Do they realize how sophisticated these attacks have become in the age of AI? Phish testing and cybersecurity training empower your team to act as the first line of defense. These services are essential for any small business today.

19. IT compliance services

Regulatory compliance is a significant challenge for small businesses. That’s why the right managed service provider will help you uncover gaps in your compliance, then address them with a smart plan. This is the most effective way to achieve compliance without creating a drag on your internal resources.

Consulting

20. vCIO/vCISO consulting services

Do you have a C-level technology expert on staff? Most small businesses don’t. This is an expensive resource to hire internally. The right managed service provider can fill this gap with a fractional CIO/CISO who advises on all things IT, cybersecurity, data integration, and digital transformation.

21. 3-year technology roadmap

Do you know where you’re going in the next three years? How are you going to get there in terms of technology? Most small businesses don’t have the time or energy to achieve this level of planning. Yet it’s essential to make sure you aren’t broadsided by required technology investments. The right managed service provider can help you map out your strategic priorities—then determine what it will take to get there in terms of technology.

22. Digital transformation consulting services

Are you equipped with the right technology for your operations? What if you’re leaving efficiency gains and revenue growth on the table due to outdated, cumbersome solutions? The right MSP can help you determine what digital transformation should look like at your organization.

Digital transformation services

23. Custom application development

Are you trying to maintain complex spreadsheets or paper-based processes? There may be a better way. A full-service MSP like Corsica Technologies can help small businesses run better with custom application development. You get the right-fit technology solution that’s built specifically for your unique operations.

24. Database migrations

Are your SQL servers causing headaches? This is a tough problem for a small business to solve. The right provider can review your current database setup and recommend a path forward to optimize performance and operational efficiency.

25. Microsoft Teams Calling implementation

You’re using Microsoft 365. But did you know you can transition your phone system to Microsoft Teams? It’s called a VoIP solution (voice over IP). It’s cheaper, more flexible, and more portable than traditional landlines—and call quality is far better. For many small businesses, it’s a no-brainer.

The takeaway: Outsource wisely

Few small businesses have the resources to manage all these services internally. Most will need an MSP to fill their gaps—or to take full ownership of their technology environment. Whatever your situation, Corsica Technologies is here to help. Our team provides comprehensive expertise and services for IT, cybersecurity, data integration, and digital transformation. We have 1,000+ clients and 30+ years of experience. Get in touch today, and let’s discuss the next step on your journey.