What is a Managed Intelligence Provider (MIP)?

As your organization moves from digital transformation to AI transformation, building and maintaining a complete internal data science and ML team has become increasingly risky. With AI capabilities doubling every 6-12 months, technical skills are depreciating faster than ever. Even if budget isn't a constraint, attracting and retaining top data talent at the pace your business demands is often impossible in today's competitive market.

A Managed Intelligence Provider (MIP) is to data and AI/ML what a Managed Service Provider (MSP) is to IT - a flexible, subscription-based service that gives you an expert team on demand to augment your existing data capabilities.

A MIP follows the same proven engagement model as traditional managed services, offering immediate access to high-performance data teams that work alongside your current team. Just as MSPs have simplified IT operations, MIPs streamline your journey to becoming an AI-driven organization while maximizing your existing team's effectiveness through complementary skills and scalable resources - all while reducing costs by 40-60% compared to building internally.

What Services does a MIP Provide?

A Managed Intelligence Provider (MIP) offers a comprehensive solution for organizations navigating their journey from digital transformation to AI transformation. Think of it as having an entire data science department at your fingertips, but without the overhead and complexity of building one from scratch. A MIP provides:

Complete data lifecycle management - from warehousing to advanced analytics
High-performance team on demand - no recruitment or training needed
Seamless integration with your existing staff and systems
Faster path to AI transformation without the traditional risks

What sets a MIP apart is its breadth of capabilities and expertise. An on-demand MIP team includes:

Strategic leadership - Chief Data Officers to guide your data initiatives
Technical expertise - ML scientists, data engineers, and BI specialists
Operational excellence - DataOps and CloudOps experts
Infrastructure management - Database administrators and DevOps specialists

This integrated team handles everything from foundational data work to advanced AI solutions:

Data clean-up and governance
Pipeline development and workflow automation
Advanced analytics and dashboarding
Machine learning model development
AI decision intelligence and data products

By combining strategic oversight with hands-on technical expertise, a MIP enables you to accelerate your data initiatives while maintaining focus on your core business growth.

Comparing MSP to MIP

The MSP and MIP models are fairly similar in form but differ in terms of skill gaps and focus, as the table below outlines.

Why Consider a MIP Now?

Economic Uncertainty Demands Flexibility

- Building internal teams requires 6-12 month recruitment cycles

- Top AI talent commands premium compensation packages

- Training and productivity lag time affects ROI

- Long-term staffing commitments pose significant risks

Global BI Challenges Need Immediate Solutions

- Multiple failed attempts to standardize BI tools across regions

- Low user adoption of existing platforms

- Inconsistent reporting across business units

- High costs of managing multiple BI systems

Accelerating AI Changes Everything

- Traditional BI skills are becoming automated

- Internal teams struggle to keep pace with AI advancements

- Training costs are escalating as technology cycles shrink

- Universities can't update curricula fast enough to match market needs

Signs You Need a MIP

Operational Red Flags

- High costs in data operations maintenance

- Manual processing consuming valuable staff time

- Delayed reporting cycles affecting decisions

- Inability to scale data operations with growth

Strategic Challenges

- Departments creating unofficial data analysis systems

- Critical decisions made on gut feel despite available data

- Multiple versions of "truth" across teams

- Excel-based analysis dominating decision-making

Resource Constraints

- Significant investment in underutilized data tools

- Multiple redundant systems

- High fixed costs in data infrastructure

- Rising training and retraining costs

Executive Decision Framework for CEOs, CFOs, CIOs and COOs

Deciding on whether a MIP is a good solution for your company depends on your leadership role and current challenges. The table below helps you think through these aspects.

Cost Comparison

Engaging a MIP offers several cost advantages over hiring employees to augment your data team, per the table below.

Solution Comparison Matrix

OK so you are pretty sure you don’t want to or cannot hire to expand your internal data platform team. How does the MIP option compare against hiring an IT consulting firm or asking your existing MSP to expand their services in the data platform realm? The table below offers a comparison.

Implementation Strategy

Here’s your 90-Day Quick Start guide to assessing, integrating and optimizing a MIP engagement in your organization.

Learn More About Paragon's MIP Solution

Accelerate your AI transformation with Paragon's comprehensive MIP solution. Visit paragoncto.com/mip or email info@paragoncto.com to schedule a complimentary initial workshop.