[3 min read]
Effective asset management is a critical service MSPs offer their clients. And without strong asset planning, your clients are not prepared to handle problems or grow their business.
In this article, you will learn:
Why automated asset planning is an essential offering for modern MSPs
How an effective asset management plan can drive growth for your clients
The link between customer success and MSP success
When David Mercer got a call from one of his clients, he heard their printers weren’t working. It seemed like an easy problem to fix, until he found out why. The client had moved to a new location without telling them — their MSP, who is responsible for their technology. That’s a big no-no. In fact, they only called Mercer when things went wrong.
Mercer remembered asking, “Why didn’t you tell us about this? You didn’t think to tell us the day you were moving?” This scenario is common in the MSP world, highlighting the need for asset planning. To prevent such situations, MSPs must set up a regular communication cadence with their clients. Without communication, the IT asset management plan can fall apart. MSPs need to stay ahead, not play catch-up.
A strong IT asset management plan helps both MSPs and clients stay aligned on business goals. Effective asset planning drives customer success by reducing downtime, preventing unexpected costs, and ensuring a roadmap for future growth.
Your role as an MSP is all about making sure your client’s IT infrastructure supports business growth. But you have to understand your client’s needs to manage their IT infrastructure.
It starts by evaluating what the client already has. Are their current assets healthy? Where can improvements be made?
An accurate assessment allows the MSP and client to create a plan together. They can address warranty renewals, new hardware, budgets, timelines, and priorities. This focus on customer success saves money for the client, enhancing satisfaction and trust.
Spend less time manually tracking assets and more time growing your business
Budget planning is a crucial part of asset management. MSPs help clients budget for new equipment, software licenses, and warranty renewals. With a clear budget, MSPs can find the right equipment and set it up quickly.
A well-planned budget helps MSPs improve client operations. This reduces downtime and drives business growth, which contributes to retention and loyalty.
Clients often experience growing pains as they scale, and this impacts IT needs. A good asset management plan scales with the client’s business. If clients expect to hire more employees soon, MSPs can plan ahead. This includes ordering laptops, setting up workstations, and preparing network infrastructure.
With MSPs managing IT assets, clients can focus on training new staff. This makes employee transitions less stressful. The result is increased productivity and more positive customer experiences.
Moving offices or changing business operations are major events. MSPs must stay informed to prevent IT disruptions. David Mercer’s client moved locations without informing his team. This caused unnecessary downtime as they scrambled to fix a problem they could have prevented entirely.
Understanding your client’s goals helps MSPs manage big changes more effectively. Clear communication is critical. It allows MSPs to handle challenges and maintain business continuity.
However, not all clients communicate clearly. Mercer recalls a difficult experience with a former client, an outdoor concert venue:
Three weeks before a concert, Mercer was told the client wanted wifi installed, but didn’t know where the hardware was. Once the hardware was found, Mercer learned that the cables had been ripped out, and all the network jacks were broken. When a technician arrived on-site to check if the network was working, he found that the client had moved the hardware without telling them.
Strong communication is key to successful asset management. Mercer values client coordination because it helps his MSP deliver reliable services. This also saves clients money and helps them plan for the future. Good planning turns IT expenses into valuable investments.
A successful asset management plan relies on the right tools. MSPs use integrations, management consoles, and detailed reports to streamline IT management.
Together, these tools drive customer success. Clients see better service quality, less downtime, and fewer disruptions. These results enhance their overall satisfaction and contribute to client retention.
Another crucial part of asset planning and management is dealing with older equipment. MSPs must plan how to replace old hardware before it fails. Good planning avoids business interruptions and keeps operations smooth.
Proper disposal of outdated equipment is also essential. Early planning gives MSPs time to set up new hardware and solve any issues beforehand. It’s a chance for clients and MSPs to consider new, improved solutions.
By managing asset disposal well, MSPs help clients transition through the asset lifecycle. MSPs can ensure the client’s IT infrastructure is reliable, secure, and effective. These traits directly contribute to continued customer success.
A strong IT asset management plan supports long-term success. It ensures high-quality service and sets the foundation for growth. At the heart of asset management is a partnership between MSPs and clients built on clear communication.
Effective asset planning is all about staying prepared. MSPs who understand their clients’ goals are better prepared to anticipate problems and mitigate risk. Customer success depends on how well MSPs can anticipate client needs, handle assets, and communicate openly.
Take control of your asset management plan with Lifecycle Manager. This automation tool elevates your tracking, quoting, reporting, and asset planning processes. Book a demo today to see how easy asset management can be with the right tool.
