MSPAlliance Launches “Support the Standard” Initiative to Protect Consumers of Cloud Computing and Managed Services
March 21, 2013 – (Orlando) Today from MSPWorld 2013, the International Association of Cloud & Managed Service Providers (MSPAlliance/ MSPA), today announced the “Support the Standard” initiative, designed to promote awareness around cloud computing and managed services standards. The “Support the Standard” initiative is based on the Unified Certification Standard (UCS) for Cloud and Managed Service Providers (MSPs), a certification and audit standard that has been in existence for over 9 years.
The MSPA was founded in 2000 with a vision of giving managed service providers (MSPs) a true industry association of their own; for MSPs by MSPs. Today, the organization has more than 20,000 corporate members worldwide. Over the years, the mandate of the MSPA has grown from that of a traditional industry association to that of a standards and accrediting body with a mission of educating consumers on the benefits of managed services.
“For the past 13 years, the MSPAlliance has done a tremendous amount of work in educating the managed services and cloud consumers. Today, we have a much more important job to do and an urgent call to action that we all must answer,” said Celia Weaver, president of the MSPAlliance. “As the world’s largest and oldest industry association for the Managed Services and Cloud industry, it is our duty to do everything we can to protect end-users and the best protection we can offer them is through certification and standards. It is now time for all MSPA members to rally around and support the UCS standard.”
The UCS was created over 9 years ago by a team of dedicated MSPs in order to provide guidance and transparency for practitioners of managed services. The UCS has been continually updated to stay relevant and is now gaining worldwide acceptance and recognition.
The “Support the Standard” initiative is very simple in concept, but powerful in its potential. Those service providers capable of going through the UCS audit and certification will be encouraged to do so. Those not quite ready for the UCS audit will be encouraged to “Support the Standard.” Doing so will not only help show solidarity amongst MSP and Cloud Providers worldwide, but will facilitate the cause of self-regulation and governance and consumer protection.
For more information on the UCS and to obtain a sample UCS report and a copy of the We Support the Standard logo, please visit https://mspalliance.com/certifications/we-support-the-standard/ or email info@mspalliance.com
ABOUT MSPALLIANCE
For the past 13 years, the MSPAlliance has been the only unified voice for the Managed Services Industry, and the only organization that promotes the highest level of professionalism, reliability and integrity. As the world’s largest Professional Association and Accrediting Body for the Managed Services Industry, the MSPAlliance was created to meet the needs of the Managed Services Professional and to educate and protect the consumers of managed services and cloud.