Don’t Let Supply Chain Disruptions Obstruct Your MSP
- Facilitate a needs assessment forecast.
Planning ahead for IT needs may not be at the top of an SMB’s to-do list, but, given how long it takes to procure some hardware these days, it could pay significant dividends to do so this year.
This session should cover:
- Expected increases (or decreases) in headcount and what type of personal computing equipment those hires will need
- Anticipated changes in workspaces, be it opening new offices, closing branches or consolidating into fewer locations, as each one will have dedicated hardware onsite to support that particular facility
- Forecasted changes in server-side computing needs or data storage based on growth or new product lines and services
- Create a forward-looking sourcing strategy.
Now you can compare what’s available in-house with what the business likely needs. MSPs can initially help SMBs maximize utilization of what’s on hand, repurposing idle equipment and consolidating when possible.
MSPs can also help customers order any additional needed equipment, taking long lead times into account to ensure it’s ready when needed. As a relatively impartial third-party, MSPs can make a case for the urgency of anticipatory procurement that internal stakeholders might be less excited to pursue.
- Accelerate the shift to the cloud.
Customers dragging their feet on cloud computing could be convinced to flip the switch sooner when they realize how much longer and more expensive it will be to acquire new hardware for their on-premises systems.
Leveraging the cloud provides SMBs with many benefits, but in this context MSPs can focus on a few areas. Obviously, shifting systems and processes to the cloud removes the need to acquire, maintain and host that hardware locally. With the increased costs accompanying supply chain shortages, the ROI for migrating to the cloud may be better than before.
Using cloud-based computing also protects SMBs from disruptions or delays if they need to add more processing power, bandwidth or storage capacity since they won’t have to deal with the hardware side of things at all.
This shift also frees up companies to reallocate or reduce their physical footprint, which supports increasing remote work options for IT staff and expands the hiring pool since those workers no longer must be in a specific location. Given the tight job market, this could help them grow and upgrade their own workforce.
Strengthening Relationships by Adding Value
Helping customers deal with supply chain slowdowns and their repercussions is another example of the extra assistance MSPs can provide using their subject matter expertise. This strengthens the bond between MSPs and their clients, advancing an MSP’s role as a trusted advisor.
It will continue to be a tumultuous time for businesses of all shapes and sizes–this pandemic may end, but other disruptions will surely follow–and they’re going to need all the guidance they can get. Demonstrate your worth by helping them navigate this crisis by assessing and anticipating their needs. Be a trusted advisor so your customers can focus on their core business functions.
And maybe stock up on some more toilet paper … just to be on the safe side.
Dan Tomaszewski is SVP of Channel & Community, Kaseya.
This guest blog is part of a Channel Futures sponsorship.
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