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Managed IT Services, are services provided by managed service providers (MSP). These companies that act as an extension of your own IT department. In some cases, they manage all of the IT services to maintain company continuity and provide support for staff and clients. In other cases, the provider might offer a specific service.
Companies of all sizes partner with MSPs to augment their internal IT departments. A managed service provider might specialize in certain aspects of technology, such as IT infrastructure management or Help Desk Services. Managed security service providers (MSSPs) offer services that specialize in security, including monitoring of your network and backup services and SOC 2 compliance.
In this blog post, we'll discuss what a managed IT service is, what types of services they offer, how to choose the best MSP for your business, and how the process works.
An IT managed service, offered by a managed service provider (MSP), encompasses a broad spectrum of technology disciplines. For businesses of all sizes, this translates to significant cost savings and advantages. By outsourcing IT responsibilities, internal resources and staff can be redirected towards innovative projects that drive company growth. Managed IT services efficiently address the backlog of Business as Usual tasks or can be seamlessly integrated into specific projects requiring specialised expertise.
So, what is managed IT services? These services entail the outsourcing of various IT-related tasks and obligations to a third-party service provider, also known as a managed service provider (MSP). This comprehensive range of services includes network monitoring, cybersecurity, data backup and recovery, software updates, and technical support, among others.
Leveraging managed IT services grants businesses access to specialised expertise, resulting in reduced operational costs and the seamless operation of their IT infrastructure. Many managed IT services offer diverse plans to cater to specific company needs.
Service providers can act as an extension of the in-house team, collaborate on ongoing technology or projects, or provide support on a project-by-project basis. They offer consultations on best practices, manage hardware, software, and infrastructure, and supply expertise to enhance the internal IT Department, whether temporarily or on an ongoing basis.
Some service providers specialise in particular industries or specific technological domains. Outsourcing to a trusted provider offers several advantages, including access to scalable solutions and a flexible talent pool. Maintaining an in-house IT Department with such a wide range of expertise is challenging.
This becomes even more complex as technology evolves. It's impractical to expect a few employees to possess all the necessary skills and keep them up to date. Building and sustaining such a talent pool would prove extremely costly for an internal IT team.
Partnering with a managed service provider (MSP) empowers businesses with the expertise and resources they need to thrive in the rapidly changing IT landscape. Managed IT services, including managed security services, cloud services, and managed print services, provide companies with efficient solutions, cost savings, and the flexibility to adapt to evolving technology trends.
This strategic collaboration helps businesses achieve their IT goals, optimise their operations, and remain competitive in today's digital era. The service level agreement (SLA) ensures that the company receives top-notch technical support, including remote monitoring, from the managed service provider.
This comprehensive approach, combined with professional services automation, allows businesses to streamline their IT management and automate business processes.
There are many technology services an IT service can specialize in. Some of these services include:
• IT Consulting
• Managing infrastructure
• Network managed services
• Providing help desk and IT support for staff
• Providing IT Support for clients or customers
• Procuring hardware and software
• Designing architecture
• Database administration
• Developing applications
• Educating staff on best practices
• Providing cybersecurity services
That is not a comprehensive list. Many managed IT services help businesses with any technology need they may have. This includes migrating to cloud computing and updating legacy equipment. MSPs often specialize in regulatory compliance in set industries, as well.
Managed service providers often work remotely, or you can find hybrid options so that you can have experts come to your physical location. Companies can partner with MSPs to augment their internal IT department with specific skills and to manage set processes in an ongoing capacity. This solution increases productivity and efficiency for in-house staff by streamlining their workflows. It can also dramatically improve uptime and decrease overhead.
There are a wide variety of services you might task to a managed service provider. Your company should choose services based on an assessment of your current processes and identification of weak spots, as well as areas where ROI would benefit your business.
Some services that are popular among businesses include:
• Cloud Migration and Cloud Managed Services. Many older companies partner with MSPs to move data and functionality from legacy systems to cloud computing for real-time access to data and a more agile workflow.
• Managed IT Support. Help Desk services provide support for staff around the clock and can often save employee time and frustration, for greater productivity. This also frees internal staff to concentrate on higher priority projects.
• Cybersecurity and Data Backup. Cybersecurity can include monitoring, installing antivirus and protection software, training staff, and monitoring networks.
• Managed Networks and Infrastructure. Managed network and infrastructure services provide a secure environment for companies. This often saves resources and physical space with servers and equipment located outside of the physical office.
• Regulatory Compliance. With more stringent compliant requirements in technology and specific industries, many MSPs specialize in keeping companies up to date and providing services that meet regulatory needs.
Managed services provide a number of advantages for businesses, including access to a large supply of expertise. It's important to consider the goals that you have when outsourcing.
If your goal is to improve a specific process or specific business challenge, you might work with an MSP that specializes in that service or offers a broader set of capabilities to achieve more transformational business objectives. If your goals may expand, partnering with a full-service provider that can offer excellent support in a variety of specialities is a good option.
One of the biggest benefits is cost savings. This is why you need Managed IT services: This is why you need managed IT services: these services are much lower in cost than retaining the number of full-time staff members it would require completing the same projects efficiently.
The cost savings in payroll is only part of the story. With a decrease in downtime and better support for staff, customer service and satisfaction increase, which results in higher profits.
Working with an MSP means that the tasks the service provider manages will no longer be tasked to internal staff. Companies find that freeing the internal IT department from mundane tasks, like password retrieval and day-to-day help desk tasks, increases efficiency and productivity. Because the in-house staff can concentrate on high-priority projects, they are able to launch new innovations faster and more successfully.
With proactive services, your company can decrease downtime. If there is an issue, such as in a disaster recovery case, your MSP can get you back up faster. Downtime is costly for companies. It can damage your reputation with customers and cost a great deal in lost business during the lapse.
An MSP can provide the right expertise for the specific field of technology. This means that you'll have access to an experienced programmer when the project requires it, or some who is highly knowledgeable about infrastructure in those scenarios. All technology experts do not have the same knowledge base. This gives your company versatility in the types of projects you and processes you can launch and maintain effectively.
While MSPs provide excellent benefits, there are some disadvantages that you should be aware of before outsourcing. This can help you make the right choices in your investment in services and providers.
Partnering with a managed service provider (MSP) delivers expertise, cost-efficiency, and enhanced productivity to businesses. Managed IT services, including managed security services, cloud services, and other support services, ensure the smooth operation of IT systems, data security, and infrastructure management. Collaborating under a service level agreement (SLA), you can rely on remote monitoring and a variety of managed services to optimise your business operations while enjoying the benefits of reduced costs and enhanced technical support.
The staff at your MSP might work as an extension of your IT department or you might partner with their staff for specific projects. The MSP experts may not have a high degree of knowledge about your company or industry. They may also not be an exact culture fit for your team.
If you're outsourcing an entire process to an MSP, you may find that you have no one on staff who understands the process on an intricate level. It's always a good idea to have someone on staff who maintains some oversight and understands the process from front to back, even if they're not managing the process on a daily basis.
MSPs are suited for all types of industries. They provide excellent extended staff for larger companies and often provide full-service support for businesses that don't have a large IT department. Some MSPs specialize in certain types of software or industries and many work extensively with cybersecurity and infrastructure.
While Managed IT Services provide substantial advantages, including support for cloud services, application service providers, and other managed services, it's important to consider potential challenges such as culture fit and reduced internal knowledge when outsourcing. Evaluating these factors will help you make informed decisions about your investment in managed services and choose the right provider for your specific needs.
Choosing a managed IT service provider is a process that's unique to each company. You'll want to research prospective MSPs based on their skill set and reputation. Often, hiring the right MSP will be a bit like hiring an in-house employee. You want a company that has services that match your needs. They should provide the level of customer care and expertise that will help your company hit its goals.
If you're looking for MSPs to create a backup and disaster recovery plan, then you'll look at companies that specialize in those fields. You may even narrow it down to MSPs that work extensively in your industry. You may need 24/7 support, or you may want to work with an MSP that can come to your location. Many MSPs work remotely, using a hybrid model may be costly and narrow down your options.
An MSP can benefit most businesses, and it’s important to recognize trying to manage all facets of IT inhouse can be a drain on your internal resources.
If your IT department is overwhelmed with tasks to the point that they can't move forward on innovative projects, it's a good sign that it's time to outsource some of their tasks. You should also hire an outside company to assess your infrastructure and process so that you can verify where your vulnerabilities are through an unbiased source. If there are cybersecurity issues that you can't address in-house, hiring an experienced MSP is a top priority. Data breaches can be costly, and downtime can be crippling.
The best question to ask is: What are my goals? If your company goals can be reached with the staff you have in-house, then you may not need an MSP currently. But if you realize that the lack of support is costing your company in scalability and growth potential, it's a good sign it's time to find an MSP to partner with. Contact us today to see how we can help you.
Managed IT services encompass a range of outsourced information technology solutions. They differ from traditional IT support by offering proactive support, covering cloud services, and adhering to a managed service agreement. This approach allows businesses to control costs with fixed monthly charges while benefiting from service quality and the expertise of service providers.
Managed IT services can significantly enhance business operations. They include proactive support, cloud management, and other services that relieve the burden on the internal IT department. By outsourcing these functions, businesses can streamline their operations, reduce capital costs, and ensure service quality.
Managed IT services providers handle various tasks, including proactive support, on-site assistance, and cloud management. They specialise in information technology and offer businesses the opportunity to outsource these functions, improving efficiency and service quality while reducing costs.
Proactive support is a cornerstone of managed IT services, ensuring that potential issues are addressed before they become critical. This approach, along with cloud management and other services, allows businesses to optimise their operations and benefit from a fixed monthly charge.
