As a new or growing MSP, discovering tools and processes that will let you do more with less is a prime focus. You’re always looking for ways to boost that bottom line by cutting costs, driving more revenue, and improving overall efficiency. If you have more than a handful of employees, you’ve likely already implemented a good MSP network monitoring tool and PSA (professional services automation) tools.

Data has become an incredibly valuable commodity for most businesses. With so many people connected to the internet, the data we generate is increasing exponentially. And with it, the need to store and process it more efficiently. Edge computing is the current solution.

So, you’re an MSP that’s recently won a new client. As part of the deal, you’ve promised a network assessment: a look at the overall network to determine if there are any glaring issues that will interfere with day-to-day operations. The topology is vast, spanning multiple sites and dozens of switches and firewalls. How do you act quickly? And what should you be looking for? Here are 7 network assessment tasks Auvik can help you easily complete.

Sometimes we associate fast-growing networks with power and success, but being small doesn’t mean you can’t compete—you just need to be smarter at creating a sustainable competitive advantage. Here are 10 things you can do as a small managed service provider (MSP) to punch above your weight. A documented process is a consistent process. And once you document how a process is carried out, you can then look for ways it can be improved.

Enterprises have always had more money to spend on IT than small-and-medium businesses (SMBs). This has traditionally resulted in a disparity in the technology and services available to each. However, with the rise of cloud-based services and the increasing need for remote working, this gap is starting to close. While there are still some differences between enterprise IT management and SMB IT management, the two are becoming more similar.

Network blind spots are the things you can’t see and don’t know about. They’re dangerous. Just like the blind spots on your car, network blind spots can set you up for deadly crashes. Problems will seem to “come out of nowhere” and hit unexpectedly. Network blind spots create all kinds of serious problems. A major network crash is one. But other problems can pile up too.

How is your relationship with your key vendors? One area of business that many MSPs overlook in the growth of their business growth is the strength of a vendor partnership. Do you view the companies who supply you with software and services as partners in a long-term relationship, or are your relationships more transactional (one and done)?

On a fairly regular basis, users will post to Reddit or Spiceworks or another IT forum to ask about the best support staff ratio of techs to users, and what other companies are finding sustainable. The question usually comes from an overworked tech who’s drowning in tickets and trying to understand what’s considered. The answers can get interesting. On Spiceworks, many people responded with details about the environments they support—and the range was notable.

Standard operating procedures—more commonly known as SOPs—are written, step-by-step instructions that describe how to perform a routine activity. While you can create an SOP for anything, an MSP SOP that outlines technical procedures is a well-known path to increasing efficiency in your business. Whether you’ve got existing MSP SOPs you’re interested in updating, or you’re looking for some basic steps to build brand-new SOPs around, you’ve come to the right place.

I speak to a lot of MSPs every day, and I’m always asked for advice on meeting new prospects. Finding new clients is one of the biggest challenges they all face. “Have you tried asking your existing clients for referrals?” is my stock answer. And for good reason—prospects referred to you by an existing client are four times more likely to buy than any other opportunities. Here are a few of my tips on how to generate client referrals from existing clients.