A Managed Service Provider (MSP) is a company that remotely manages a customer's IT infrastructure and/or end-user systems, typically on a proactive basis and under a subscription model. MSPs are responsible for the day-to-day management of their customers' IT environments and often provide a wide range of services, which may include:

1. Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM): Monitoring the health and performance of IT systems and networks to detect and resolve issues before they cause downtime or other problems.
2. Backup and Disaster Recovery: Implementing and managing data backup solutions and recovery plans to ensure business continuity in case of data loss or disaster.
3. Network Security: Implementing and managing security measures such as firewalls, antivirus software, and intrusion detection systems to protect against cyber threats.
4. Cloud Services: Providing access to and managing cloud-based applications, platforms, or infrastructure (such as Microsoft Azure, AWS, etc.) for scalability and flexibility.
5. Help Desk and Technical Support: Offering help desk services and technical support to end users for troubleshooting and resolving IT issues.
6. Vendor Management: Coordinating and managing relationships with third-party vendors and service providers, such as internet service providers or software vendors.
7. IT Consulting and Project Services: Advising customers on IT strategy, implementing new IT projects, and helping to optimize IT infrastructure for improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

By outsourcing these responsibilities to an MSP, organizations can focus more on their core business activities while leveraging the expertise and resources of the MSP to maintain and support their IT environment. This model is particularly beneficial for small to medium-sized businesses that may not have the resources or expertise to manage their IT infrastructure internally.