What are Managed Service Providers?
Managed service providers (MSPs), or Hotspot in a Box providers, enable those looking to become wireless Internet service providers (WISPs) to quickly and cost-effectively build out a public Wi-Fi network. As part of their turnkey service offerings, most will provide all back-office operations on some form of revenue share (75/25 split) or flat-fee structure based on the number of locations ($50 per venue) or on a per-transaction ($1.00 per user) basis. This arrangement allows you to focus on strategic sales and marketing efforts, thereby avoiding the large capital outlay usually associated with developing infrastructure and staffing a service provider type of business. In telecom terms, it is akin to becoming a switchless reseller. Devoid of the back-office responsibilities, the barrier to entry in developing Wi-Fi hotspots is largely lifted, thus allowing most anyone to become a virtual Internet service provider. Perhaps this sounds too good to be true; thats what I thought. The abil
A managed service provider supplies businesses with information technology needs via the Internet. These needs are typically network monitoring, remote data backup, and network security, but can also include other more new age technology services such as Virtual Private Networks and Voice Over Internet Protocol services. A business will contract with a managed service provider to fill certain needs that are met more cost effectively by outsourcing than by purchasing and supporting equipment in-house. This sort of arrangement makes good economic sense for both small and large companies, especially since managed service providers specialize in technologies that all businesses might not have the resources to support. For example, a company that specializes in remote data backup does this all the time, all day long, for clients near and far. This company will have all the latest equipment and all the latest encryption techniques and protocols, as well as a vested interest in making sure th
