As enterprises deepen their digital transformation efforts, managing cloud environments has become increasingly intricate. With widespread adoption of hybrid and multicloud architectures, enterprise IT leaders are seeking managed service providers (MSPs) that offer more than just infrastructure support—they want strategic guidance, operational efficiency, and strong security practices.
At STL Digital, we are constantly exploring futuristic innovations that can redefine how enterprises and industries operate. This guide offers a practical roadmap to selecting the right MSP — one that delivers more than just uptime, but strategic alignment and long-term digital value.
Why MSPs Continue to Gain Relevance in the Cloud Landscape
According to McKinsey, the global shift to cloud could generate up to $3 trillion in EBITDA value by 2030, largely driven by business innovation rather than cost reduction alone.
However, only about 10% of organizations are fully realizing that potential as per McKinsey — suggesting that most enterprises need structured partnerships to translate cloud adoption into measurable outcomes.
Meanwhile, according to the Grand View Research, the managed services market reached approximately $335.37 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow steadily through 2030.
What to Look for in a Modern MSP
1. Advisory-Led Cloud Consulting Services
Successful partnerships often begin with well-defined strategic input. MSPs that provide Cloud consulting services can help enterprises assess readiness, define migration paths, and align cloud initiatives with broader business goals. This advisory layer often differentiates providers that focus purely on implementation from those that drive long-term value.
2. Security Practices with Enterprise-Grade Scope
As workloads diversify across platforms, cloud computing security has become central to provider evaluation. Providers that also function as a managed security service provider (MSSP) can support organizations in meeting compliance requirements and mitigating operational risk through continuous threat detection, incident response, and policy enforcement.
3. End-to-End IT Solutions and Services
An effective MSP typically offers a broad portfolio of IT solutions and services, including cloud infrastructure management, application operations, DevOps automation, data backup, and monitoring tools. This end-to-end support enables centralized visibility and performance optimization across enterprise technology stacks.
Key Evaluation Criteria for 2025
When selecting an MSP, consider the following:
- Experience across major cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP)
- Demonstrated ability to support hybrid and multicloud strategies
- Integration of advisory-led cloud consulting services
- Proficiency in cloud computing security and compliance frameworks
- Formal managed security service provider capabilities
- Comprehensive IT solutions and services portfolio
- Defined service-level agreements with performance metrics
Industry Trends Impacting MSP Selection
- Multicloud adoption is accelerating, but complexity increases without centralized governance. McKinsey notes that capturing value requires a strong operational framework, often enabled by external partners.
- Security remains a top concern. As infrastructure expands across geographies and providers, the role of an MSP in supporting enterprise-grade cloud computing security cannot be understated.
- Integrated service delivery is on the rise. Organizations benefit from MSPs that offer all-inclusive IT solutions and services, which reduce the need for multiple third-party vendors.
Strategic Criteria for Enterprise Leaders
The choice of a cloud MSP should go beyond uptime guarantees or platform support. Enterprises should look for:
- Structured cloud consulting services that drive alignment with business priorities
- Support for security and compliance frameworks in line with cloud computing security best practices
- Extended capabilities as a managed security service provider where relevant
- Breadth and depth of IT solutions and services for full lifecycle coverage
As digital transformation continues to evolve, the right MSP can serve not just as a service vendor — but as a long-term strategic partner.
At STL Digital, we are shaping this future through a relentless focus on digital solutions, and leading advancements in data science and artificial intelligence.
Discover how your enterprise can harness the power of Cloud MSP to lead in the age of intelligent innovation.
