For organizations heavily reliant on Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to handle their IT infrastructure, a natural question arises: should the same entity that manages your technology be trusted to define your IT strategy? While MSPs excel at keeping systems operational and secure, expecting them to be the architects of your IT strategy may be misguided. The interests of an MSP, driven by profitability through efficiency and cost savings, are often at odds with the broader needs of your business, which require innovation, strategic risk-taking, and a long-term perspective. Here’s why getting IT strategic guidance from an external consultant rather than your MSP can be a game-changing move for companies serious about growth.
Conflict of Interest: The Elephant in the Room
One of the biggest issues with relying on an MSP for strategic IT guidance is the inherent conflict of interest. MSPs make money by keeping your systems running smoothly, efficiently, and, most importantly, within the contracted budget. This operational focus can often clash with the larger vision your organization may have for growth, transformation, and innovation.
When the same provider is responsible for keeping things running and advising on what direction to take, their recommendations are likely to prioritize the ease of their own operations. This often translates to strategies that limit system complexity and avoid aggressive innovation—since a stable, predictable environment is easier to manage and thus more profitable for the MSP. An external consultant, on the other hand, operates without such an agenda, allowing them to focus solely on what’s best for your organization. They’re incentivized to consider your long-term success rather than short-term operational simplicity, which allows them to suggest solutions that might be more ambitious, nuanced, or transformational.
The “Cost-Efficiency Bias” of MSPs
MSPs are incentivized to keep your IT infrastructure cost-effective and manageable. While cost-conscious strategies are certainly important, they should not come at the expense of your organization’s growth and innovation. A common trend is for MSPs to recommend approaches that minimize overhead, which can make sense for day-to-day management but can limit your company’s ability to leverage cutting-edge tools, advanced analytics, or innovative digital solutions.
An outside consultant brings the advantage of an unbiased view, weighing cost-efficiency alongside strategic needs like scalability, competitive differentiation, and future-proofing. They are more likely to recommend a solution that may involve upfront investment but has a strong return on investment in the long run. This difference in perspective means a consultant is more likely to recommend best-in-class tools, modernization efforts, or custom solutions that can give your business a strategic edge, rather than settling for the lowest-cost options that “get the job done.”
Limited Exposure to Industry Trends
MSPs typically work across a diverse set of clients, but their focus is often on troubleshooting, patching, and supporting systems rather than studying market trends, emerging technologies, and strategic business models. Consequently, they may not have the expertise to advise you on how to leverage the latest technologies to gain a competitive advantage. MSPs might know the ins and outs of keeping legacy systems stable, but they may not be well-equipped to guide you on forward-looking technologies like artificial intelligence, advanced data analytics, or digital transformation strategies.
A dedicated IT consultant, by contrast, often specializes in keeping pace with technological shifts and understanding how these can be applied strategically. They know that successful organizations don’t just “keep the lights on”; they use IT as a competitive lever. This mindset enables consultants to bring fresh insights, identify transformational opportunities, and help you adapt to evolving industry dynamics.
The Potential for Inertia
When MSPs are in control of both the support and strategic direction, they have an implicit incentive to maintain the status quo. Introducing new systems, software, or infrastructure that may demand substantial changes in the MSP’s support model could add to their complexity and costs. This inertia often results in advice that leans toward incremental upgrades and conservative changes rather than bold strategies that could set your organization apart.
External consultants, however, are generally motivated to push the envelope. They are incentivized to help you maximize the value of your technology investments and adapt to evolving competitive landscapes. Whether it’s migrating to the cloud, adopting data-driven decision-making tools, or implementing advanced cybersecurity protocols, a consultant can help you identify ways to leap ahead without being held back by operational constraints.
MSPs and the “Easy Fix” Mindset
MSPs are trained and incentivized to resolve issues quickly and efficiently—traits invaluable in a support context but potentially harmful when translated to strategic decisions. This “easy fix” mentality can influence their approach to your IT strategy, resulting in recommendations that favor rapid deployment and minimal disruption. For example, they may lean towards off-the-shelf solutions rather than customizations, which may be more appropriate for your unique business needs but require more planning and resources.
An external consultant is less constrained by the need for quick fixes and can spend the necessary time to understand your business model, goals, and competitive environment. They’re more inclined to recommend solutions that align with your strategic objectives, even if they take longer to implement or require more upfront investment.
An Unbiased Perspective for an Unbiased Strategy
When you enlist an independent IT consultant, you’re gaining a partner whose only priority is the success of your organization. Their lack of operational responsibility for your IT systems allows them to deliver honest, constructive criticism of your current infrastructure and processes. They can recommend major overhauls, greenfield solutions, or best-in-class technologies without the pressure to align with the current support model.
Choosing Your IT Strategy Partner Wisely
In an increasingly competitive market, relying on an MSP for IT strategy is akin to letting the fox guard the henhouse. Their primary aim is often to deliver affordable, efficient service—not to enable transformative change. While MSPs play an invaluable role in managing day-to-day IT, strategic guidance is best sourced from a consultant who operates independently of your support provider.
By separating strategy from support, you gain a strategic advisor whose advice is uncompromised, focused on your organization’s best interests, and capable of helping you turn technology into a true competitive advantage. If growth, innovation, and long-term vision are your goals, partnering with an independent IT consultant can make all the difference.