What is a Managed Service Provider (MSP)?

A Managed Service Provider (MSP) is a third-party company that remotely manages a client's IT infrastructure and end-user systems under a proactive, subscription-based model. Instead of calling for help only when something breaks, an MSP continuously monitors your network, applies updates and patches, manages security, and provides helpdesk support. For small and mid-sized businesses, an MSP functions as a full outsourced IT department — delivering consistent coverage at a predictable monthly cost without the expense of hiring in-house IT staff.

What services does a Managed Service Provider typically include?

A full-service MSP typically provides network monitoring and management, IT helpdesk support, cybersecurity services, data backup and recovery, cloud computing management, email security, hardware and software procurement, business phone systems management, and strategic IT planning. Partners Plus offers all of these core services to East Coast businesses, along with specialized security packages and a Ransomware Guarantee.

How is a Managed Service Provider different from traditional IT support?

Traditional IT support — sometimes called break-fix support — operates reactively: something breaks, you call for help, and you pay for the repair. A Managed Service Provider operates proactively, monitoring your systems continuously to prevent problems before they cause downtime or data loss. With an MSP, costs are predictable, issues are caught early, and your technology is aligned with the long-term goals of your business.

How much does a Managed Service Provider cost?

MSP pricing varies based on the number of users, devices, and the scope of services included, but most providers charge a flat monthly fee per user or per device. For small businesses, this model typically costs less than maintaining a single in-house IT employee while providing broader expertise and coverage. Partners Plus structures its pricing to fit the budgets of small and mid-sized East Coast businesses with transparent, flat-rate managed service packages.

Why do small businesses need a Managed Service Provider?

Small businesses are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals precisely because they often have fewer security resources than large enterprises. A Managed Service Provider gives small businesses access to enterprise-level IT monitoring, security tools, and technical expertise at a fraction of the cost of building those capabilities in-house. Beyond security, an MSP reduces downtime, improves employee productivity, and allows business owners to focus on operations instead of troubleshooting technology problems.

What is the difference between IT Support and Managed IT Services?

IT support typically refers to helpdesk and technical assistance provided when users encounter problems — it is largely reactive. Managed IT Services is a broader, proactive model that encompasses not just support, but continuous monitoring, security management, data protection, cloud management, and strategic IT consulting. Most Managed Service Providers, including Partners Plus, offer IT support as one component of a larger managed services package.

What should I look for when choosing a Managed Service Provider?

When evaluating an MSP, look for demonstrated experience in your industry, transparent pricing, clearly defined Guaranteed Response Times, proactive security capabilities, and a communication style that matches your needs. You should also ask whether the MSP provides a formal cybersecurity assessment before onboarding, whether they offer a ransomware or uptime guarantee, and how they handle emergencies. Partners Plus offers all of these along with 35+ years of East Coast IT experience.

How does a Managed Service Provider handle Cyber Security?

A reputable MSP takes a layered, proactive approach to cybersecurity including 24/7 network monitoring, endpoint protection, email filtering, multi-factor authentication, vulnerability scanning, and employee security training. Partners Plus also conducts formal Cyber Security Assessments and offers a Security Package with a Ransomware Guarantee — ensuring a prepared response plan is in place if ransomware penetrates defenses.

What is Data Backup and Recovery, and why is it critical for businesses?

Data Backup and Recovery refers to the process of creating secure copies of business data and restoring them when the original data is lost, corrupted, or encrypted by ransomware. Without a reliable backup and recovery system, a single hardware failure, cyberattack, or natural disaster could permanently destroy years of critical business information. Partners Plus automates backups, stores copies in multiple locations including the cloud, verifies integrity regularly, and enables rapid restoration to minimize downtime.

Can a Managed Service Provider support a business across multiple locations or remote employees?

Yes. One of the key advantages of working with an MSP is the ability to support distributed teams, multiple office locations, and remote employees from a centralized management platform. Partners Plus provides managed IT services to businesses across 18 East Coast states and Washington, D.C., supporting remote employees through secure remote access tools, cloud-based systems, and endpoint management under one unified service agreement.

Delaware Valley Managed IT Services Built for Business Owners, Not IT Departments

Since 1991, Partners Plus has protected and supported small and mid-sized businesses from four offices in Wilmington, Philadelphia, Malvern, and Middletown. Plain English answers, around-the-clock protection, and a Ransomware Guarantee in writing.

Ransomware Guarantee backed by our full security package, in writing
24/7 monitoring and response, because threats do not keep business hours
700+ users supported across 17 states and Washington, D.C.
Security awareness training that turns your team into your first line of defense
Zero geek lingo, every recommendation explained in plain English
Preventative maintenance and regular business reviews so problems get fixed before they cost you

Email not reaching your customers? Missed invoices and unanswered proposals are often a deliverability problem, not a people problem. Run a FREE Email Security Scan and find out in minutes. Click Here for a FREE Scan

Bill Hogan - Partners Plus, Managed IT Services and IT Support

Partners Plus has been the managed service provider small and mid-sized businesses rely on since Bill Hogan founded the company in 1991. The premise then is the premise now: business owners deserve reliable IT support explained in plain English, not geek lingo. That standard has shaped every client relationship, service offering, and technology decision for more than three decades.

Today, Partners Plus supports more than 700 users across 17 states and Washington, D.C., including Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. With offices in Wilmington (New Castle) and Middletown, Delaware, and Philadelphia and Malvern, Pennsylvania, the team delivers both remote and on-site IT services to businesses that depend on technology to compete, grow, and stay secure.

Trusted IT Partner for Businesses in Pennsylvania and Delaware Since 1991

Partners Plus is SeedPod Certified. Here’s what that means for you.

Not every managed service provider is built the same. Some treat security as an afterthought. Others cut corners on the controls that protect your business data, your systems, and your clients. SeedPod Certified MSPs have gone through a rigorous vetting process conducted by a team that spends every day underwriting cyber risk. We know what a secure IT partner looks like because we see what happens when one falls short. If your MSP earned this certification, they met a standard that most never bother to pursue.

Managed IT Services Offered by Partners Plus

Partners Plus delivers a full suite of managed IT services built for East Coast businesses. Every service is designed around the needs of business owners, not IT departments, so you can focus on running your company while a team that has done this since 1991 handles the technology.

Managed Service Provider (MSP)

A Managed Service Provider, or MSP, is an outsourced IT partner that proactively manages and supports a company’s technology under a flat-rate monthly model. Instead of waiting for something to break and then paying by the hour for repairs, an MSP continuously monitors, maintains, and secures your systems to stop problems before they interrupt your operations.

For small and mid-sized businesses, partnering with an MSP like Partners Plus means getting an experienced IT team without the cost of hiring full-time, in-house staff. You get enterprise-level infrastructure management, cybersecurity tools, helpdesk support, and strategic IT guidance at a predictable monthly cost, delivered from four offices in Wilmington, Middletown, Philadelphia, and Malvern.

IT Support

Responsive, knowledgeable IT support underpins everything Partners Plus does. Whether your team needs day-to-day helpdesk assistance, workstation troubleshooting, or fast resolution of network issues, Partners Plus provides live, accessible support with Guaranteed Response Times. A real person answers your call, not a ticket queue.

Partners Plus supports businesses remotely through secure tools and in person through on-site visits across its 17-state and Washington, D.C. service area. The goal is the same every time: fix it quickly, explain it clearly in plain English, and prevent it from happening again.

IT Security

Cybercrime is no longer limited to large corporations. Small and mid-sized businesses are now among the most targeted organizations precisely because attackers assume they have fewer defenses. Partners Plus layers multiple protections across your network, devices, email, and user behavior so a single point of failure never becomes a company-wide crisis.

Security services include endpoint protection, network security monitoring, email filtering, multi-factor authentication setup, employee security awareness training, and vulnerability assessments. The stance is always proactive: find the weakness before a bad actor does.

Cyber Security

Partners Plus provides formal Cyber Security Assessments that give business owners an honest, detailed view of what’s protected in their technology environment and what’s exposed. Each assessment examines your network infrastructure, access controls, data-handling practices, and user policies to identify vulnerabilities that could lead to a breach or ransomware attack.

After the assessment, you receive a prioritized action plan written in plain language. No jargon, no scare tactics, just a clear roadmap for improving your security posture. For businesses that have never had a professional security review, this is often the single most valuable step they can take.

Data Backup &
Recovery

Losing access to your business data, whether through ransomware, hardware failure, accidental deletion, or a natural disaster, can shut a company down. Partners Plus provides managed Data Backup and Recovery services that keep your critical information protected, current, and recoverable.

Backups run in multiple layers, with local, offsite, and cloud-based copies of your data and automated verification confirming each backup completed successfully. When data loss happens, Partners Plus restores your operations quickly to minimize downtime and the financial damage that comes with it. The Partners Plus Ransomware Guarantee backs that commitment with real accountability, in writing.

Business Phone Systems

Reliable communication is as essential as reliable IT. Partners Plus designs and manages Business Phone Systems that keep your team connected in the office, at home, or in the field. From VoIP systems to unified communications platforms, Partners Plus handles setup, management, and ongoing support so your phones work as dependably as the rest of your technology.

Modern phone systems also integrate with the collaboration tools your team already uses, meaning fewer platforms to juggle and no more dropped calls or poor audio quality between you and your customers.

Before You Trust Any Security Audit, Get This Reviewed First, Free

Most “free security audits” are sales pitches in a lab coat, and they require you to hand a stranger the keys to your network while you’re still under contract with your current IT company. We do something different. Send us your most recent cyber insurance application, and we’ll review it personally. No network access. No software installed. Nothing your current provider will ever notice. In 35 years of doing this, we have not yet seen one application that didn’t contain significant errors, the kind that give a carrier grounds to deny your claim at the exact moment you need them to pay. You’ll get a plain-English written summary of what we found, and it’s yours to keep whether we ever speak again. If the review turns up problems, you’ll know exactly what to ask your current IT provider to fix. And if they can’t fix it, you’ll know who to call.

Get Your Audit Today

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CALL US
WILMINGTON AT (302) 663-2787

PHILADELPHIA AT (215) 458-293

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\MALVERN AT (610) 831-4504

MIDDLETOWN AT (302) 272-9355

The Part Nobody Talks About: Leaving the IT Guy You’ve Known for Years

Here’s the real reason most firms stay with an IT company they’ve outgrown: switching feels dangerous. You picture days of downtime, being stranded between two vendors pointing fingers at each other, and, let’s be honest, the awkward phone call to a guy you’ve worked with for nine years. We’ve been taking over networks from other providers since 1991, so let us tell you how it actually works. Nothing changes on day one. First, we hand you a simple checklist of the credentials and documentation to request from your current provider: passwords, admin access, backup details, and license records. They belong to you, and you’re entitled to every one of them. Once we have them, we verify everything works and fully document your systems, so your firm is never unprotected or dependent on anyone’s goodwill when you leave. Your old provider stays in place until we’re fully ready; then the handoff happens on a schedule you approve, and we handle the technical conversation with them professionally, because burning bridges isn’t how we’ve lasted 35 years. Most of your staff will notice exactly one thing: a new number to call, answered by a person. And that awkward conversation? We’ll give you the exact wording; it’s three sentences long, or we’ll be on the call with you.

Who Partners Plus Serves

Partners Plus works with small and mid-sized businesses across a wide range of industries, including:

CPA and Accounting Firms — protecting sensitive financial data and keeping firms compliant through tax season and beyond
Law Firms — securing confidential client records and managing the document workflows attorneys depend on daily
Financial and Insurance Firms — managing risk, data security, and the regulatory requirements that come with handling client money
Automotive Businesses — keeping dealership systems, communications, and customer data secure and running
Consulting Firms — supporting remote teams and protecting proprietary client information wherever work happens
Trade and Technical Services — maintaining uptime for field crews and office operations alike
Waste and Facility Services — managing distributed teams and the operational technology behind them

If your business runs on computers, networks, email, and phones, and you don’t want to manage those systems yourself, Partners Plus is built for you.

Our East Coast Service Locations

Partners Plus maintains four office locations to serve businesses throughout the Mid-Atlantic and the broader East Coast:

Wilmington (New Castle), DE — 2 Penns Way, Suite 307, New Castle, DE 19720 | (302) 663-2787
Philadelphia, PA — 1515 Market St., Suite 1200, Philadelphia, PA 19102 | (215) 458-2938
Malvern, PA — 101 Lindenwood Drive, Suite 225, Malvern, PA 19355 | (610) 831-4504
Middletown, DE — 108 Patriot Dr., Suite A, Middletown, DE 19709 | (302) 272-9355

Remote managed services extend across 17 East Coast states and Washington, D.C., making Partners Plus a capable IT partner for any business operating along the Eastern Seaboard.

Secure your business with expert IT support/security from Partners Plus, Inc. Call 302-529-3700 now for proactive cybersecurity solutions and managed IT services tailored to your needs.

Listen to Our Latest Podcast on IT Support and Security

Discover expert insights on IT security, managed support, and the latest tech trends with the Partners Plus Podcast. We offer practical advice on protecting your business from cyber threats, optimizing IT infrastructure, and staying ahead in today’s digital landscape. Whether you’re an SMB owner or an IT decision-maker, we provide valuable guidance to keep your systems secure and running smoothly. Stay informed, stay protected—tune in now!

Taking Control of Your Information: Online Security Tips and Practical Steps

Why Partners Plus Is the Right Managed Service Provider for Your Business

Partners Plus has been an IT institution on the East Coast since 1991. Founder Bill Hogan, a published author and lifelong advocate for business-owner education, designed Partners Plus from day one to be the IT partner business owners actually want to work with.

Here is what sets Partners Plus apart from every other Managed Service Provider on the East Coast:

Founded in 1991, with 35 Years of Proven Experience. Partners Plus brings institutional knowledge from more than three decades of hands-on IT and security work that newer MSPs simply cannot replicate.
Ransomware Guarantee. Partners Plus is one of the few MSPs willing to back its security services with a formal, written ransomware guarantee. That is not marketing language. It is a real commitment.
24/7 Network Monitoring and Security. Your network does not take nights or weekends off, and neither does Partners Plus. Around-the-clock monitoring catches threats and anomalies before they become disasters.
Education as a Core Value. From employee security training to books written specifically for business owners, Partners Plus empowers the people who rely on your technology to be part of the solution.
Plain English Communication. No jargon, no acronyms without explanation, no leaving you confused about your own systems. We deliver every update, recommendation, and report so any business owner can understand it.
Guaranteed Response Times. When something breaks, a real person answers. Partners Plus provides live support and stands behind its response-time commitments.
Local Presence, East Coast Reach. With four offices and coverage across 17 states and Washington, D.C., Partners Plus combines local responsiveness with the scale to support multi-location businesses.
PHL 17 Top Spots Winner. Publicly recognized for service excellence in the greater Philadelphia area.

Frequently Asked Questions About Partners Plus

What is Partners Plus and what managed IT services do they provide?

Partners Plus is a managed IT service provider serving businesses throughout Delaware and the Philadelphia area. Their services include day-to-day IT support, cybersecurity, cloud migration, remote monitoring, and strategic IT consulting, designed to function as a fully outsourced IT department for small and mid-sized organizations.

How much does managed IT support from Partners Plus cost?

Partners Plus customizes managed IT pricing for each business, but most regional MSPs charge between $75 and $200 per user per month, depending on the service tier. Factors that affect the final cost include business size, number of devices, cybersecurity requirements, and whether 24/7 monitoring is included.

Does Partners Plus require long-term contracts or offer flexible plans?

Partners Plus offers flexible service arrangements, though some services with hardware or infrastructure components may include a minimum term. Ask the team during your initial consultation about current plan structures. The objective is a partnership built around your business needs, not a rigid multi-year lock-in.

How long does it take for Partners Plus to onboard a new business client?

Onboarding typically takes one to four weeks depending on business size and IT complexity. The process includes a discovery consultation, a network and security assessment, a proposal review, tool deployment, and the start of ongoing monitoring and support.

How does Partners Plus handle cybersecurity for Philadelphia and Delaware businesses?

Partners Plus uses a layered cybersecurity approach that typically includes endpoint detection and response, email filtering, multi-factor authentication, firewall management, and regular patching. This layered strategy ensures multiple protections are in place, so a single point of failure doesn’t expose the entire business.

What are the risks of outsourcing IT to Partners Plus versus hiring in-house?

Outsourcing IT provides access to a full team with broad expertise at a lower cost than a full-time hire, but it does involve less direct daily control. A dedicated IT employee in the Delaware and Philadelphia market can cost $55,000 to $90,000 per year plus benefits, making managed services a cost-effective alternative for most small businesses.

How do I get started with Partners Plus IT support for my business?

Contact Partners Plus through their website at partnersplus.com or by phone to schedule a discovery call. You will discuss your current setup, challenges, and budget. A proposal typically arrives within a few business days, and the initial consultation carries no obligation.

Does Partners Plus provide support for businesses with compliance requirements?

Yes. Partners Plus has experience working with businesses that operate under data-handling regulations common to healthcare-adjacent, financial, and legal industries in Pennsylvania and Delaware. During the initial IT assessment, the team identifies any compliance gaps and builds your support plan around the specific requirements your business must meet.

Can Partners Plus scale its services as my business grows?

Yes. Partners Plus managed IT plans are designed to scale with your business. As you add users, devices, or locations, the service plan adjusts to match your new environment. You would discuss scaling provisions with the team during your consultation so the agreement reflects your expected growth trajectory rather than locking you into a static structure.

What happens if I have an IT emergency outside of normal business hours?

Partners Plus offers after-hours support options for critical issues. The specifics depend on the service tier you select, so ask the team during your initial call about emergency response times and escalation procedures. Knowing how after-hours incidents are handled before you sign an agreement is one of the most important questions any business should ask an MSP.

Not Ready To Call Us Just Yet?

That is exactly why Bill Hogan writes books. Fill out the form, and we will send you a free copy of The 24/7 Standard: Why Your Business Can’t Afford an MSP That Clocks Out, his newest guide for business owners, packed with the insider perspective on productivity, cybersecurity, and backups that most IT companies never share.

In 1991, Bill Hogan founded Partners Plus on a simple idea: be a business operations ally, and speak to company leaders in plain English rather than geek lingo.

In 2007, after years of frustration with the substandard service he saw during network audits, Bill published Hassle-Free Computer Support, his first effort to give business owners the information they need to demand superior technical support.

In 2018, he collected his articles and policies into The Business Owner’s Guide to Successful IT for Your Company, written to help business owners like himself build the best IT possible.

His latest book, The 24/7 Standard (2026), argues that part-time IT support puts modern businesses at serious risk and lays out what around-the-clock coverage should look like.

Cover of Bill Hogan's book The 24/7 Standard from Partners Plus on a desk with IT monitoring screens — read this managed IT services guide today; described aloud for low-vision readers.

Complete the form below to request your free copy!