Managed Service Providers are game changers in the global digital transformation movement. By providing IT services to organizations, they allow top managers and executives to cast aside their security and compliance concerns and focus on their core business and mission.
But what about MSPs themselves? How do you make their life easier, especially taking into account the competitive environment they have to operate in every day?
In this article, we’ve made a list of the most useful MSP automation platforms and tools that we believe can make daily operations less challenging for Managed Service Providers and their teams.
Opportunities for MSPs to Automate
If you represent a Managed Service Provider business there are probably a bunch of labor-intensive and mundane tasks that your teams still execute manually.
Automation is an outstanding opportunity to add value to your business as it will free up your teams from the heavy burden of boring activities and will improve your image in the eyes of your clients.
According to Altaro software company, the automation tools for MSPs can be subdivided into 4 categories:
- Automation Software for MSPs
- CRM Software
- Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) platforms
- Professional Service Automation (PSA) for MSPs
Which is the best automation tool for MSPs?
Based on the main domain, cost preferences, and the size of the businesses they work with, Managed Service Providers may choose the best automation tools that are perfectly tailored to their teams’ needs.
The tools may vary depending on the business model, features, and integrations available.
There are a number of trusted players on the market that will make your experience as a business partner or top manager easier.
Let’s see the main specifications of the top 10 automation tools that we’ve selected for you.
A list of the best automation tools for MSPs
Automation Software for MSPs
ElectroNeek RPA is a leading Robotic Process Automation vendor for Managed Service Providers and IT teams. Robotic Process Automation is a technology that allows the automation of mundane repetitive tasks that users execute manually by imitating their activities on browser/desktop applications.
ElectroNeek RPA can help businesses streamline operations across various functions from IT administration and maintenance to accounting, human resources, sales, and marketing management.
While an MSP business is a natural fit with this technology, previously implementing RPA was costly and not affordable due to high license costs. ElectroNeek has changed the game. Apart from the user-friendly drag-and-drop interface and no-code/low-code functionality, it offers a unique business model with no commercial software costs (i.e. free RPA bot licenses), which means limitless scalability for any MSP business.
It is worth noting that using ElectroNeek RPA for internal IT teams and processes is just the start for many MSPs. Having in-depth knowledge of clients’ IT infrastructures and their gaps, MSPs can take advantage of the tool by leveraging it to streamline clients’ operations as well.
Business size: Small and medium-sized businesses, enterprises
Deployment: Web/On-premises
Pricing model: Subscription
Pricing: Starting from $400+
Features:
- API
- Alerts/Notifications
- Collaboration Tools
- Project Management
- Project Planning/Scheduling
- Reporting/Analytics
- Reporting/Project Tracking
- Resource Management
- Status Tracking
- Task Management
- Task Scheduling
- Time & Expense Tracking
- Easy-to-Use Workflow Builder
- Free Attended & Unattended Bots
- Process Recorder
- GUI Desktop
- Web Browser Automation
- Powerful Error Handling
Integrations: Asana, Dropbox Business, GitHub, Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Jira, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Online, Advanced, Salesforce Sales Cloud, Slack, Trello, Zapier, Zendesk
2. Ansible
Ansible is an IT operations automation platform that helps businesses with tasks such as software deployment, cloud provisioning, system administration and configuration, rolling updates with zero downtime, MSP patch automation, and others.
The automation services catalog of Ansible allows IT specialists to get access to resources across cloud, virtual or physical environments.
Business size: Medium-sized and large enterprises
Deployment: Centralized server with no client-side agent needed
Pricing model: Subscription
Pricing: On demand
Features:
- API
- Access Controls/Permissions
- Activity Dashboard
- Alerts/Notifications
- Reporting & Statistics
- Reporting/Analytics
- Third-Party Integrations
Integrations: Microsoft Azure
3. Chef
The core focus of Chef Enterprise Automation Stack is increasing software innovation velocity. The key functionality is infrastructure configuration and management.
Chef’s dashboards are a great tool for DevOps teams as they show various views of projects and any changes in them, alerting them if any failures appear.
Business size: Medium-sized and large enterprises
Deployment: Centralized server with no client-side agent needed
Pricing model: Free, Subscription, Open Source
Pricing: $250/year
Features:
- Alerts/Notifications
- Compliance Management
- Configuration Management
- Dashboard
- Data Visualization
- Real-Time Monitoring
Integrations: Microsoft Azure, Slack
CRM Software
4. Act!
ACT! CRM is a professional solution for managing sales that allows you to easily control your leads.
Having focused on small and medium-sized businesses, ACT! elaborated its extensive functionality and provides flexible solutions for making sales and marketing routines seamless for Managed Service Providers.
Business size: Small and medium-sized enterprises
Deployment: Web/on-premises
Pricing model: Subscription
Pricing: On demand
Features:
- API
- Access Controls/Permissions
- Activity Dashboard
- Alerts/Notifications
- Audit Management
- Audit Trail
- Billing & Invoicing
- Collaboration Tools
- Customizable Reports
- Inventory Management
- Reporting & Statistics
- Workflow Management
Integrations: QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Online Advanced, Xero
5. ConnectWise Manage
ConnectWise Manage is a business automation software for MSPs that was created to cover various aspects of business operations. The tool is especially relevant for MSPs that work with medium-sized to large enterprises.
The functionality allows you to streamline activities such as helpdesk and project management, billing and invoicing processing, procurement, and inventory management. It also stands as a great tool for marketing automation for MSP. By using customizable dashboards, you can track the KPIs and manage reporting activities.
Business size: Medium-sized and large enterprises
Deployment: Web/on-premises
Pricing model: Subscription
Pricing: On demand
Features:
- API
- Access Controls/Permissions
- Activity Dashboard
- Alerts/Notifications
- Audit Management
- Audit Trail
- Billing & Invoicing
- Collaboration Tools
- Customizable Reports
- Data Import/Export
- Document Management
- Inventory Management
- Reporting & Statistics
- Reporting/Analytics
- Third-Party Integrations
- Work Order Management
- Workflow Management
Integrations: Google Calendar, MailChimp, Microsoft Outlook, Xero, Zapier
RMM (Remote Monitoring & Management)
6. Continuum
Continuum CRM is a comprehensive contact and prospect management system. It handles all contact management activities from email marketing campaign planning and scheduling to tracking conversions and sales.
Apart from simply tracking leads, it has lead scoring features that allow easily qualifying leads based on the applicable components.
Among its supplementary features are calendar management, data management, and referral tracking.
Business size: Small and medium-sized businesses
Deployment: Web-based management with required agent installation on endpoints
Pricing model: Subscription
Pricing: Starting from $99/month
Features:
- API
- Contact Management
- Customizable Templates
- Email Management
- Email Marketing
- Mobile Access
- Third-Party Integrations
Integrations: HubSpot CRM, Microsoft Outlook
Integrations: HubSpot CRM, Microsoft Outlook
7. Ninja
Ninja is an IT service delivery tool that provides the most updated insights on the VM, laptop, server, workstation, and devices’ performance. Enhanced tools such as a remote control center, scripting, and patching add maximum efficiency to IT management operations.
Apart from the wide functionality, Ninja is easy to use and cost-effective.
Business size: Small and medium-sized businesses
Deployment: Web-based management with required agent installation on endpoints
Pricing model: Subscription
Pricing: Starting from $3/month
Features:
- API
- Access Controls/Permissions
- Activity Dashboard
- Alerts/Escalation
- Alerts/Notifications
- Audit Management
- Compliance Management
- Configuration Management
- Dashboard
- Data Visualization
- Real-Time Monitoring
- Reporting & Statistics
- Reporting/Analytics
- Search/Filter
- Workflow Management
Integrations: AutoTask, IT Glue, Webroot
PSA platforms
8. Kaseya
Though Kaseya is a complex BMS tool with a bunch of useful features, its interface is easy to use for IT professionals and MSPs.
Among the areas where you can take a competitive advantage by using Kaseya for medium-sized to large businesses are project management, CRM, helpdesk management, finance and invoicing operations, and time tracking.
Business size: Medium-sized and large businesses
Deployment: Web-based management with required agent installation on endpoints
Pricing model: Subscription
Pricing: Starting from $3/month
Features:
- Collaboration Tools
- File Sharing
- Gantt/Timeline View
- Milestone Tracking
- Percent Complete Tracking
- Prioritization
- Project Management
- Project Planning
- Project Planning/Scheduling
- Projections
- Reporting/Analytics
- Reporting/Project Tracking
- Resource Management
- Status Tracking
- Task Management
- Task Progress Tracking
- Task Scheduling
- Time & Expense Tracking
- Project Planning/Scheduling
- Projections
- Reporting/Analytics
- Reporting/Project Tracking
- Resource Management
- Status Tracking
- Task Management
- Time & Expense Tracking
Integrations: QuickBooks Online Advanced
9. Tigerpaw
By using the wide range of tools that TigerPaw provides, businesses can increase collaboration among teams, boost cash flow, improve project management, and enhance customer service.
To do so, you log into a single portal that is easy to use, not only for tracking various aspects of a client’s business but also gives MSPs an enormous opportunity to gain in-depth reporting and performance insights.
Business size: Small and medium-sized enterprises
Deployment: Web/on-premises
Pricing model: Subscription
Pricing: Starting from $85/month
Features:
- API
- Billing & Invoicing
- Collaboration Tools
- Document Management
- Inventory Management
- Mobile Access
- Reporting & Statistics
- Reporting/Analytics
- Work Order Management
Integrations: IT Glue, QuickBooks, QuoteWerks
10. Autotask
Autotask is an IT BMS tool for value-added resellers and Managed Service Providers working with medium-sized to large companies. Autotask Professional Services Automation (PSA) software and the VARStreet are comprehensive quotations, billing, and e-commerce management tools.
It helps MSPs not only to successfully deliver and bill their technology solutions but also to support IT professionals in selling and implementing them.
Business size: Medium-sized and large enterprises
Deployment: Web/on-premises
Pricing model: Subscription
Pricing: On demand
Features:
- API
- Access Controls/Permissions
- Activity Dashboard
- Alerts/Notifications
- Audit Management
- Audit Trail
- Billing & Invoicing
- Collaboration Tools
- Customizable Reports
- Inventory Management
- Reporting & Statistics
- Workflow Management
Integrations: QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Online Advanced, Xero
Conclusion
We’ve listed the top 10 automation tools for MSPs and IT teams in the Automation Software, RMM, CRM, and PSA categories.
It’s difficult to select a one-size-fits-all solution from the ones that have been mentioned. However, if you are seeking the most universal one, you should consider RPA technology. As for ElectroNeek RPA, it is not only an impeccable tool for bringing automation gains to an MSP itself but can also be used to automate processes on the client side and increase the overall profitability of an MSP business.
While we hope this information will be useful to you, there are still some areas we might not have covered for your specific MSP business.
Share your experience by contacting us. Or simply drop us an email on partners@electroneek.com if you want to find out more about automation opportunities for Managed Service Providers.