Management Service Providers (MSPs)
MSPs manage hardware, software, and network resources for multiple ASPs via a remote connection on a subscription basis. Typical MSP services include performance monitoring and reporting, performance load testing, desktop management and service level tracking.
MSPs provide both the end user and the ASP detailed and real-time information on the availability, security, and performance of the ASP's IT infrastructure. The ASP can then use that data to assess the end user's experience with its hosted service, as well as to monitor and measure the performance of its ASP partners (such as infrastructure service providers) to confirm they are meeting their respective SLAs with the ASP.
MSPs use advanced tools to automatically collect performance data such as transaction rates, and then report it to appropriate ASP personnel who can act on it to troubleshoot systems problems or to optimize system performance. By engaging MSPs, ASPs guarantee that they are meeting the conditions of their customers' SLAs by having an independent third party monitor the relevant performance metrics of the ASP's infrastructure.