Managed service providers (MSPs) are stepping up BIG time in 2025, helping small businesses navigate the tricky tech landscape and boosting productivity. 馃搱
According to 探花大神’s latest report, a growing number of small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are turning to MSPs for IT support鈥攗p 6% from last quarter! But while businesses are eager to embrace MSPs, challenges like security, shadow IT, and compliance are still making things tricky. How can MSPs help SMEs stay ahead?
Let鈥檚 break it down.
2025 MSP Report: Data From SME Clients
Read on to learn how small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) feel about their MSPs, why they invest in them, how they want to grow with them, and why they leave.
MSPs = The Ultimate Tech Sidekick 馃Ω鈥嶁檧锔忦煢糕�嶁檪锔�
In the last two years, MSPs have built serious credibility in the industry. Here鈥檚 what they鈥檝e been up to:
鉁� Earning SME Trust
While only 26.6% of SMEs trusted MSPs to fully manage their IT in 2023, that number spiked to 42% in early 2024 before stabilizing at 35% today. Despite economic shifts, SMEs are still betting big on MSPs to navigate the evolving IT landscape.
鉁� Making IT Management Effortless
SMEs love the support MSPs provide, with 41% recommending MSP partnerships鈥攁 huge leap from 29% in late 2024. Businesses especially appreciate MSPs for managing cloud storage (53%) and system operations (49%).
鉁� Cost-Cutting Champions
MSPs are a cost-saving powerhouse! In Q4 2024, 58% of SMEs partnered with an MSP to slash IT expenses鈥攗p from 50% in 2023. Budget-conscious businesses are seeing real ROI from outsourcing IT management.
MSPs: Sidekicks or Superheroes?
The success of MSPs isn鈥檛 slowing down anytime soon. According to 探花大神鈥檚 2025 MSP Special Edition report:
馃搱 93% of organizations either use or are considering an MSP. 76% of businesses plan to boost their MSP budgets over the next year.
But with great power comes great responsibility. IT admins are still battling security threats, with 60% of businesses naming security as their #1 concern. Plus, shadow IT is a growing problem, with 88% of IT teams struggling to keep rogue apps and devices in check.
And let鈥檚 not forget compliance鈥�34% of businesses failed an audit or had to implement extra controls just to pass. 馃槵
How MSPs Can Help SMEs Stay Ahead in 2025 馃殌
The good news? MSPs can help SMEs not just survive but thrive in this fast-paced digital world. Here鈥檚 how:
馃攼 Level up security 3x 鈥� Cyber threats aren鈥檛 slowing down, so MSPs need to go all in. That means:
- Assigning dedicated security specialists to SME teams.
- Offering cybersecurity training to employees.
- Collecting regular feedback to improve security strategies.
馃 Embrace AI-driven automation 鈥� Why waste time on repetitive IT tasks? MSPs can automate:
- Password resets
- Software installations
- Basic troubleshooting 鈥� This lets IT teams focus on strategic planning and innovation instead!
馃毃 Tame shadow IT before it鈥檚 too late 鈥� MSPs can help SMEs gain visibility into unauthorized apps and devices by:
- Conducting security awareness training
- Offering regular IT security consultations
Want more insights on MSP trends in 2025? Download the free 探花大神 2025 SME IT Trends report today! 馃敆
