MSA
Master Services Agreement
Geek Speak:
A contract that outlines the services provided by an MSP. It should also include what the customer is responsible for.
Plain English:
What Is a Master Services Agreement (MSA)?
A Master Services Agreement (MSA) is a foundational contract between two parties — usually a business and a service provider — that outlines how they’ll work together over time.
Instead of signing a brand-new contract for every project, the MSA sets the rules, responsibilities, and expectations upfront. Then, whenever a new project or service is needed, the details can be added in a simpler, shorter document called a Statement of Work (SOW).
An MSA typically covers things like:
What services will be provided
Payment terms
Confidentiality and data protection
Responsibilities of each party
How problems or disagreements will be handled
In simple terms, an MSA is like laying the groundwork for a long-term business relationship, making future work faster and easier to initiate, while protecting both parties.