Managed Service Providers Key Terms

Learn key terms used by IT managed service companies

Managed service providers (MSP) are becoming more in demand in the business world. Their popularity is due to the enormous amount of updates and changes in the IT (information technology) world. Keeping up with and maintaining these updates and changes brings a high price tag that many businesses cannot afford.

A managed service provider (MSP) reduces this price tag by providing lower cost alternatives to keep up with the times. Prices and providers vary according to business size, area of expertise, packages offered, individual service and the ability to meet customer needs. When researching or talking with MSPs, know some managed service providers key terms:

1. Common managed service provider acronyms and service options

2. Managed IT service providers use common Internet terms

3. Most common managed services terms used in business

Have a working knowledge of managed service provider acronyms and services

Common acronyms and terms within the managed service provider circle include IT (information technology), CPE (customer provided/premise equipment), SLA (service level agreement) and outsource/out-task. IT refers to the hardware and software used when storing, retrieving and manipulating information, while CPE is the equipment and wiring located at the customer's place of business. An SLA is a written agreement between the MSP and client that states standards of service and management, and may include guidelines addressing outsourcing/out-tasking (contracting with another business to perform a service).

Be familiar with Internet terms used in IT managed services

Acronyms you commonly hear in context of the Internet and with MSP providers are ASP, ISP, IP, LAN and WAN. An ISP (Internet service provider) is usually a telephone company that leases Internet connections to other companies, and IP (Internet protocol) is how the data moves from one computer to another on the Internet. A service that provides remote access to a program is an ASP (application service provider). LAN (local area network) and WAN (wide area network) are both a network of computers, but differ in geographical spread.

Use the most common managed services as a starting point

Among managed services, three areas - IP VPN, IP Communications and security - tend to be the most popular. IP VPN (Internet protocol virtual private network) provides a secure network connection to branch offices with secure remote access to teleworkers, remote workers and global partners. IP Communications (Internet protocol communications) is a converged voice-and-data network, and security features decrease vulnerability on local, regional and global infrastructures with 24-hour monitoring and management.

• Learning terms associated with managed IT services is an ongoing process, so ask experts questions and also do your own research to understand terminology.

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