What is a Managed Service Provider (MSP)?

Managed service providers or MSPs serve as outsourced IT support for businesses.

In many cases the MSP acts as the customer’s IT department, managing their entire IT infrastructure and systems. In other cases, the MSP works in partnership with the customer’s existing in-house IT team, providing additional support and guidance.

Why consider working for an MSP?

From a career perspective, working for an MSP offers numerous opportunities and benefits to IT professionals at all stages in their development. Below are some of the benefits our staff agree are unique to working for razorblue:

1. Exposure to new technologies
   Most organisations invest in only a handful of new IT initiatives over a long period of time, meaning staff often have limited exposure to emerging technologies.
   An important role of an MSP is to help and encourage customers to take advantage of the latest and greatest technologies to improve their operations and efficiency, whilst providing a competitive edge.
   At razorblue, we stay ahead of the curve, adopting the latest technologies ourselves and working in partnership with industry-leading suppliers and products. Working for razorblue gives the opportunity to learn and gain hands-on experience with new, industry-leading technologies.

2. Personal development is key
   Due to the fast-paced nature of technology, working in a technical role requires continuous upskilling and learning.
   Typically, MSPs rely on employee certifications and qualifications to maintain their partnership status with suppliers.
   At razorblue, we employ people who are hungry for development and we are always happy to assist them in achieving their goals. Whilst we expect continued development, we don’t expect our staff to be out of pocket for it and fund several different qualifications, such as Microsoft and Cisco certifications.
   We have a robust development plan in place for each of our employees, working with them to understand their personal goals and the alignment with our business goals. All staff are encouraged to find suitable training courses on a regular basis. We support and fund any preparations, mock exams, and exams to help attain qualifications.

3. A future-proof career
   As mentioned previously, more and more organisations are outsourcing their IT support. Not only is this a cost-effective solution, but it also eliminates the struggle of trying to source and retain qualified staff.
   The technology sector continues to grow and what was considered the “future of work” little over a year ago, is now upon us. Research suggests that during 2020, 2 years’ worth of digital transformation took place in the space of just 2 months.
   This wave of digital acceptance and transformation is one of the driving factors for our continued growth. Our headcount has grown by around 30% in the last year, invested over £600k in our new 5000sqft head office and have taken on ## new clients.

4. Hours, pay and benefits
   MSPs don’t have the best reputation when it comes to pay and working hours. Here at razorblue, we offer a very competitive salary package.
   We take care of our employees and offer a flexible working environment. Other benefits include:

• 32 days holiday (inc bank holidays) and the ability to purchase up to an additional 10 days per annum
• Life insurance
• Private Health Insurance
• Free breakfast, fruit, nespresso coffee, tea and soft drinks
• Regular social events including football, yoga, gaming and team away days
• Bike to Work scheme
• A company phone which can be used for personal use
• A company credit card
• Monthly rewards for top performing employees
  As we offer 24/7 support, certain roles do involve working outside the typical 9-5 Mon-Fri working week.  We understand and promote the importance of a healthy work/ life balance and offer generous compensation for any overtime.  An example of this is that staff members who work weekends will be compensated with 3 days off during the week.

5. It’s all about our people
   Due to the nature of our business, staff are always surrounded by a large range of technical experts, each with different specialisms and skillsets.
   We are a close-knit team who thrive from working together and there is always someone on-hand to help with any challenges, big or small.
   The vast knowledge base within any one of our teams means that whether you are just at the start of your career in IT, or are well-experienced in the field, we can guarantee you will be surrounded by like-minded people, who share a drive to learn.

Of course, not all MSPs are the same. Just like any other business, an MSP could be poorly managed, or lack the culture and leadership required to create a positive workplace experience.

Before accepting any position, we recommend asking about opportunities for advancement, touring the facilities, and gaining insight into the company culture.

At razorblue, we have worked extremely hard to create a positive culture of professionalism, development and teamwork that empowers our staff.

We strive to maintain a positive approach to all aspects of working life and in harmony with our core values:

• We are honest
• We are quality-driven
• We are committed
• We are motivated
• We are human
• We are #teamrazorblue