As a Managed Service Provider (MSP), you know that offering value to your clients isn’t just about fixing what’s broken—it’s about knowing what could break, what already is, and how to prevent future headaches. Enter the world of analysis services, where your job is to play the detective, the doctor, and sometimes, the drill sergeant. Let’s break down three key types of analysis services that can help your MSP build a profitable and long-lasting relationship with clients.
The Gap Analysis: The Start of Something
A gap analysis is like taking a car in for a check-up, but instead of finding out you need just an oil change, you discover the engine’s about to fall out. It’s a deep dive into your client’s network, pinpointing all the places where their current setup falls short of industry best practices or security standards. But here’s the kicker: this isn’t a one-and-done kind of gig.
Why? Because every gap you find needs to be closed, and that’s where the real money is—remediation. Fixing those gaps means ongoing projects, continuous monitoring, and a client that realizes they need your expertise long after the initial analysis. In short, a gap analysis isn’t just about finding the holes; it’s about filling them, too. And then keeping them filled. Forever. (Or at least until their next audit.)
The Compliance Audit: Just Checking the Boxes
An audit is your chance to flex your MSP muscles by showing off how compliant a client is with specific regulations or standards. Think of it as a report card for their network, but instead of getting grounded for a bad grade, they might face fines or worse. The key difference here? Unlike a gap analysis, an audit is typically about verification, not remediation.
Pro tip: While the audit itself might be a one-off, the findings can lead to additional services. Did the audit reveal some compliance gaps? Perfect. Now, circle back to the remediation services you offer and keep the revenue flowing.
Warning: In most industries, and, in reality, based on common sense, it is not best practice for you to do a compliance audit on your own work.
The Risk Assessment: Predicting the Future
Risk assessments are like fortune-telling, but with less crystal ball and more data. Here, your MSP assesses the potential risks lurking in your client’s network—everything from cyber threats to hardware failures. The goal? To predict where the next disaster might strike and to mitigate it before it does.
Here’s where you shine: A thorough risk assessment should naturally lead to a conversation about risk management, disaster recovery, and even ongoing monitoring services. It’s the ultimate upsell: you’re not just telling them what could go wrong; you’re selling them the solution before it even happens.
