Dive Brief:

• CIOs are generally content with shifting more IT functions to management service providers, a recently released survey indicates.
• Two-thirds of companies surveyed by industry association CompTIA stated that they had used an outside IT firm within the last year.
• CIOs and other IT managers agreed that managed service providers increase operational efficiency and create predictable recurring costs.

Dive Insight:

Although most CIOs are content with the outcome of managed service providers, most providers just manage network and basic software infrastructure. The usage of MSPs has increased, but most people are still unaware of what MSPs do. CIOs should be aware that MSPs do not replace internal IT departments, but rather complement them.

MSPs often are used now to allow internal IT staff to focus attention on strategic projects and help generate revenue, rather than just a way to create cost savings.