What is an MSP?
If you’re running a business in Cleveland, Akron, or anywhere in Northeast Ohio, chances are IT isn’t your full-time job, but it is your responsibility. And that’s where the confusion usually starts. You may hear terms like Managed Service Provider (MSP), managed IT services, or outsourced IT support, and wonder what exactly they mean. Questions we often hear at PCR Business Systems include:
- Is an Akron MSP just a glorified helpdesk?
- Are Cleveland Managed Service Providers only something large businesses use?
- Do I really need an outsourced IT company or just someone to call when things break?
On this page, we’ll try to answer these questions and more.
Frequently Asked Questions About MSPs
What Does MSP Stand For?
MSP stands for Managed Service Provider. In simple terms, an MSP is a company that proactively manages, supports, and protects your IT systems for a flat monthly rate, rather than waiting for things to break and billing you after the fact.
A good MSP acts as an extension of your business, working alongside your team to support day-to-day operations and long-term goals. They take ownership of your IT and help prevent issues before they disrupt your people or productivity.
How Is an MSP Different from Traditional IT Support?
Rather than providing reactive IT support (someone you call when something breaks and you’re billed hourly per incident), outsourced IT companies watch over your systems 24/7 to get ahead of cyber-threats, ensure all patches and software updates have been implemented, and test that backups are tested and operating properly.
In short, they help prevent emergencies from happening in the first place, rather than fixing them when an IT issue has already disrupted your Akron or Cleveland business operations.
What Does MSP Actually Do?
A professional MSP doesn’t just “fix computers,” they manage all your technology so you can focus on running your business. In addition, Managed Service Providers in Cleveland, OH, like PCR Business Systems, help align your technology with your long-term business goals to ensure your systems scale smoothly as your company grows. Additional services include:
Proactive Monitoring & Maintenance
- Monitoring servers, computers, and networks 24/7
- Applying security patches and updates
- Preventing small issues from becoming big outages
- Fast, human support when employees need help
- Password resets, login issues, printer problems, software hiccups
- Clear communication—no jargon, no runaround
- Email security and phishing protection
- Endpoint protection and ransomware defense
- Multi‑factor authentication (MFA)
- Security policies that fit real‑world workflows
- Ransomware‑resistant backups
- Regular testing to make sure restores actually work
- Clear recovery plans if something goes wrong
- Securing email, Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint
- Managing user access and permissions
- Protecting business data—even when people work remotely
- Budgeting and lifecycle planning
- Technology roadmaps
- Advice on what to upgrade, what to keep, and what to avoid
Is an MSP Only for Large Companies?
No. Most MSP clients in Northeast Ohio are small to mid-sized businesses, often with 10–150 employees, no internal IT staff (or just one IT person), a mix of workers in the office, remote, and in the field, and have growing security and compliance pressure from their industries.
Cleveland and Akron companies often reach out to us when they’ve outgrown their current IT provider or in-house IT person, cyber liability insurance requirements get stricter and more complicated than they can handle on their own, and leadership wants a fixed IT budget. An MSP can fill the gap between “doing it yourself” and hiring a full internal IT team.
What Problems Do Managed Service Providers Solve?
For Cleveland and Akron businesses, the biggest wins usually aren’t technical; they’re operational. Managed Service Providers help reduce unexpected downtime, surprise IT invoices, trouble managing vendors, cybersecurity worries, and more. While replacing them with faster support, peace of mind that your systems are truly secured and backed up, predictable monthly costs, and clear ownership and accountability.
How Do You Know If You Need an MSP?
You may benefit from managed IT services if:
- You worry about ransomware or data loss
- You don’t know if your backups actually work
- IT problems interrupt your team’s productivity
- You’re tired of surprise costs
- You’re responsible for IT, but it’s not your expertise
If any of that sounds familiar, it may be worth talking to an outsourced IT company.
How much does an MSP cost?
Most MSPs charge a flat monthly fee, usually based on the number of users, devices, and security needs. For many Cleveland and Akron businesses, this replaces unpredictable hourly bills with a consistent, budget-friendly IT cost.
Is an MSP better than hiring in house IT?
For many small to mid-sized businesses, a managed service provider offers broader expertise, better coverage, and lower overall cost than hiring a full internal IT team. At PCR Business Systems, our clients benefit from an entire team of IT experts, offering a wider range of skills, experience, and resources than most in-house IT teams can provide.
Have more questions? Schedule a call with PCR President Pat Carroll to see if an MSP is right for your Cleveland or Akron company.