PlatOps vs Generic MSPs
Understand the difference between specialized cloud and security operations versus traditional managed service providers. Choose the right expertise for your needs.
Head-to-Head Comparison
How specialized cloud operations differ from traditional managed service providers
| Factor | PlatOps | Generic MSP | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Expertise | Cloud, security, DevOps specialists | General IT (printers, desktops, email) | PlatOps |
| Security Depth | 100% audit pass rate, 24/7 SOC | Basic security, limited SOC capabilities | PlatOps |
| Automation Approach | Custom infrastructure-as-code | Script-based, manual processes | PlatOps |
| Cloud Certifications | AWS/Azure/GCP certified team | Often still learning cloud platforms | PlatOps |
| Compliance Expertise | HIPAA, PCI-DSS, SOC 2, ISO 27001 | Basic SOC 2 knowledge | PlatOps |
| Monitoring Style | Proactive optimization and prevention | Reactive ticket-based support | PlatOps |
| Technology Stack | Open standards, no lock-in | Often proprietary tools and lock-in | PlatOps |
| Scalability Design | Built for scale from day one | Struggles with rapid growth | PlatOps |
| Response Time | 15-minute SLA, 24/7 coverage | Variable, often business hours only | PlatOps |
| Price Point | Premium for specialized expertise | Lower cost for basic services | Generic MSP |
| Basic IT Support | Available but not our focus | Primary service offering | Generic MSP |
| On-Site Services | Cloud-first, remote expertise | Often includes on-site visits | Depends |
Expertise Comparison
Where each approach excels - understanding specialization vs generalization
PlatOps Specialization
Cloud & security focused
AWS/Azure/GCP certified architects
24/7 SOC, penetration testing, compliance
Terraform, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines
HIPAA, PCI-DSS, SOC 2, ISO 27001
Custom IaC, GitOps workflows
Cloud spend analysis and reduction
Can provide but not our focus
Partner with local providers
Generic MSP Coverage
Broad IT support
Still learning cloud platforms
Antivirus, basic firewalls
Scripts, manual processes
Basic SOC 2 understanding
Minimal IaC expertise
Basic cost tracking
Primary service offering
Full on-site hardware support
* Capabilities vary by provider. This represents typical specialization patterns in the industry.
Three Approaches Explained
From specialized cloud operations to traditional IT support, find the right fit
PlatOps (Specialized Cloud MSP)
Engineering-first platform operations
Deep expertise in cloud infrastructure, security operations, and DevOps automation. Built for tech companies that need enterprise-grade platform operations.
Typical Cost Range
$10K-50K/month
Advantages
- Deep cloud and security specialization
- Infrastructure-as-code and automation expertise
- 100% compliance audit pass rate
- Proactive monitoring and optimization
- Team of certified cloud architects
Challenges
- Higher cost than generic MSPs
- Not focused on basic IT (desktops, printers)
- May be overkill for simple infrastructure
- Requires cloud-ready or cloud-curious mindset
Ideal For
Best when: You need specialized cloud, security, and DevOps expertise
Generic MSP
Traditional IT managed services
Broad IT support covering desktops, email, networking, and basic cloud services. Best for companies with traditional IT infrastructure needs.
Typical Cost Range
$3K-15K/month
Advantages
- Lower monthly costs
- Covers full IT spectrum (hardware, software, network)
- Good for basic business IT needs
- Often includes on-site support
- Wide availability and vendor options
Challenges
- Limited cloud and security depth
- Reactive (ticket-based) vs proactive approach
- May lack DevOps and automation skills
- Struggles with complex compliance requirements
- Often uses proprietary tools (vendor lock-in)
Ideal For
Best when: You need basic IT support and don't have complex cloud or security needs
Hybrid Approach
Specialized + generalist partnership
Use generic MSP for basic IT support and PlatOps for cloud, security, and DevOps. Best for growing companies transitioning to cloud-first operations.
Typical Cost Range
$8K-35K/month total
Advantages
- Cost-effective for diverse needs
- Right expertise for each function
- Maintains basic IT support coverage
- Scales specialized services as needed
- Flexible resource allocation
Challenges
- Requires coordination between vendors
- Potential for gaps or overlap
- More complex vendor management
- Need clear role boundaries
Ideal For
Best when: You have both traditional IT and advanced cloud/security needs
Key Decision Factors
Choose based on your infrastructure, security requirements, and growth plans
Infrastructure Type
PlatOps
Cloud-native, hybrid cloud, multi-cloud
Generic MSP
On-premise, basic cloud, traditional data center
Security Requirements
PlatOps
Advanced threats, compliance audits, 24/7 SOC
Generic MSP
Basic security, antivirus, firewall management
Automation Needs
PlatOps
Infrastructure-as-code, GitOps, CI/CD pipelines
Generic MSP
Basic scripts, manual processes sufficient
Compliance Scope
PlatOps
HIPAA, PCI-DSS, SOC 2, ISO 27001, FedRAMP
Generic MSP
Basic compliance, general best practices
Growth Trajectory
PlatOps
Rapid scaling, high-growth SaaS/tech companies
Generic MSP
Steady growth, traditional business models
Team Makeup
PlatOps
Engineers and developers who need DevOps support
Generic MSP
General business users needing IT support
Which Do You Need?
Signs that indicate whether you need specialized or general IT support
Signs You Need PlatOps
- Failed or struggling with compliance audits (SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS)
- Cloud costs are spiraling out of control
- Security incidents are increasing
- DevOps team is overwhelmed or doesn't exist
- Infrastructure is not documented or automated
- Scaling infrastructure is manual and error-prone
- Generic MSP lacks cloud or security expertise
- Need 24/7 security operations center (SOC)
Signs You Might Need a Generic MSP
- Need basic desktop and printer support
- Primarily on-premise infrastructure
- Limited budget for specialized services
- Simple IT needs (email, file shares, basic network)
- Don't have cloud applications or services
- Not subject to strict compliance requirements
- Need on-site hardware support regularly
- Tech stack is traditional and stable
Not Sure? We Can Help You Decide
Many companies benefit from a hybrid approach - using generic MSPs for basic IT while partnering with PlatOps for cloud, security, and DevOps expertise. Let's discuss what makes sense for your specific situation.
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