A Managed IT Services Accreditation: Creating the Right Path and Destination

Sitting in the Managed IT Services discussion during the CompTIA Annual Members Meeting last week, I got the feeling the group was at a critical crossroad on one of their key initiatives; how best to build an accreditation that accomplishes the goals of the members. The objectives for a certification or business endorsement aren’t numerous, but each is crucial to the success of the program and its participants, which those in attendance grasped very well.

Let’s take a step back to Dec 17, 2008, when a work group emerged from the IT Services and Support Section at CompTIA.  Several individuals identified a need to develop a program for managed IT services, including best practices and guidelines for both providers and vendors top follow. That team expanded quickly and is now, only 16 months later, a key part of the new CompTIA Communities.  As a matter of fact, the Managed IT Services group has attracted a large collection of MSP and vendor executives who actively contribute to the forum, in addition to industry consultants such as MSP University’s Eric Simpson and Stuart Selbst of Stuart Selbst Consulting.

With the community membership solidified and growing exponentially, the initiative on accreditation for the managed IT services industry has garnered significant interest. The software vendors, MSPs, master MSPs and industry consultants are on board for the discussion, and each agrees there needs to be end user demand and recognition for any eventual program. Investigation of the need is crucial, especially when determining the benefits of an individual certification or a business credential (such as the CompTIA Security Trustmark).

While end user support is yet to be determined, MSPs are very interested in assembling best practices and other programs around managed IT services, and many have contributed to the forum since the CompTIA group since its inception. Whether or not the group moves ahead with an assessment of business acumen, a code of conduct or testing for an accreditation, expect the communities to continue pushing for innovation and refinement of related businesses. Those with a stake in managed IT services, or even interest and experience to share, should join in the conversation as the CompTIA member-driven initiative moves forward.