What are managed services? Read this post to find out.
Having a digital presence has become necessary for every business’s success. Making sure that your technology is up to the task of running your business IT is essential.
Technology, however, is constantly growing and shifting, and managing it all internally, or even with a small team of IT professionals can be prohibitively costly. This is where Managed IT Services come into play
Table of Contents
What Are Managed Services?
When we say Managed IT Services, we’re talking about a third-party vendor staffed with a multi-skilled team of IT experts that serve as your company’s IT team. When you partner with a Managed Services Provider (MSP), your outsourced IT team can manage your entire network including:
- Monitoring your business’s infrastructure and proactively fix any issues as they arise
- Patching software and making sure you have access to the tools you need to run your business
- Data backup systems and risk management
- IT Support staff that can help your employees through any technology-related breakdowns.
So what does this mean for you? It means your staff can focus on their daily tasks with minimal IT-related issues and you can focus on what really matters, growing your business!
Which Services Are Included In Managed IT Services?
IT is a field that covers a lot of subfields under its name. An MSP focuses specifically on the maintenance and management of your business’s infrastructure. Though most MSP’s offer similar services, it is important to note that no two MSP’s are the same.
To make sure you’re getting the support you need, research your potential MSP partners to make sure their service fits your needs from your network’s actual requirements to run to your budgeted IT allowance.
Though there are many services you can expect to fall under the MSP umbrella, some of the main ones are as follows.
- IT help desk and emergency support
- Warranty Management
- Software licensing
- Network and process documentation
- Software patch monitoring and management
- Antivirus and malware protection
- System maintenance
- Vendor management
Why Is It Important To Use Managed Services?
When you have a moderately sized network run from your office, the most obvious choice for keeping it running smoothly is to hire an in-house IT team.
Though one person can manage the hardware in your office and assist with day-to-day troubles, when any specialty projects or expertise is called for, hiring specialists will quickly surpass your budget.
Partnering with an MSP means you have access to an entire team of IT experts for a fraction of the cost of even one IT employee
All The Amazing Benefits Of Using Managed Services
Here are all the amazing benefits of using the managed services for the IT field of your business.
- Managed IT services for small businesses is cost-effective
Managing an in-house IT team means that you will be paying each individual. On top of wages, you have to consider the cost of their equipment and benefits as well.
With an MSP, However, you pay one monthly fee, no benefits or salaries from your pockets at all!
- Managed IT services mean better security
Managed IT includes proactive 24x7x365 monitoring. If there’s an issue anywhere in your network, they know about it and fix it before you even notice it!
- Better IT expertise with managed IT services for small businesses
No one person can know everything there is to know about the technology we encounter on a daily basis. With an MSP on your side, you have a wide range of differently skilled experts available to work on any technology issue you face included in your monthly fee.
- Fewer risks and better reliability
Your in-house IT department may be physically present every day, but they don't work in a streamlined way. On the other hand, the managed services provide things like reports and analytics, and they also keep regular checks and balances on your system. In this way, the chances of some issue occurring decreases, and the reliability of your system increases.
- Support you won’t get anywhere else
Suppose your IT help desk team fails to solve some issue and you have to get services from external experts. With the managed services as there is a whole team of experts always working for your system.
No sketchy basement operations are needed. Even if you need assistance above and beyond the base services covered in your agreement, they have the experience and knowledge to execute anything your company needs efficiently and securely.
- Managed IT services maintain higher standards for their work
One major thing that sets a difference in the services between managed services or the in-house IT team is that there is a professional standard of work. With regular updates on progress and communicating with your staff, they can provide thorough analytics and proper reports about your system’s performance.
Not only does this help you understand your business better, but any shortcomings in your network can also be addressed with your specific needs and budgets.
What Are Managed Services: Frequently Asked Questions
What are managed services?
Managed services involve a service provider assuming responsibility for specific IT functions like network management, cybersecurity, data backup, software updates, and helpdesk support. They essentially “manage” these areas for you, freeing up your internal IT team or eliminating the need for one altogether.
What types of managed services are available?
The range of managed services is vast, covering various IT needs. Some common offerings include:
- Managed IT infrastructure: Managing servers, networks, storage, and other hardware.
- Managed cybersecurity: Implementing and maintaining security solutions to protect against cyber threats.
- Managed cloud services: Managing cloud-based infrastructure and applications.
- Managed helpdesk: Providing technical support to your users.
- Managed backup and disaster recovery: Ensuring data protection and quick recovery in case of disruptions.
Who benefits from managed services?
Managed services can be beneficial for businesses of all sizes. Here are some specific scenarios:
- Small businesses: Lacking dedicated IT staff or expertise.
- Businesses experiencing rapid growth: Needing scalable IT solutions.
- Businesses focused on core competencies: Wanting to outsource non-core functions.
- Businesses needing cost-efficiency: Seeking predictable IT expenses.
What are the main advantages of using managed services?
- Reduced costs: Eliminate the need for hiring and managing internal IT staff.
- Increased efficiency: Benefit from the expertise and specialized tools of the service provider.
- Improved security: Gain access to advanced security solutions and threat monitoring.
- Enhanced uptime and performance: Enjoy proactive maintenance and issue resolution.
- Scalability: Easily adjust services to meet changing needs.
Final Remarks: Managed Services
Managed services are becoming more common as businesses recognize the importance of their technology’s ability to work effectively.
Their growing reliance on technology and inability to hire a dedicated in-house IT team, managed IT services for small businesses have become more important than ever.
SecureTech has been operating in the San Antonio area since 2002. With our experience, we can build a solution that fits your needs and help you grow. To learn how partnering with an MSP can benefit your business, contact us today.
INTERESTING POSTS
- How To Reduce Operation Cost By Managed Service
- Exclusive Interview With Dan Fusco, CEO of InnerPC
- Cloud Hosting Provider: QuickBooks Hosting Vs In-House Server
- How To Cut Down Your Company's Costs With Outsourced IT Support
- What Should You Expect From The Best Washington DC IT Support?
- Top 8 Cybersecurity Companies In Dubai
About the Author:
Daniel Segun is the Founder and CEO of SecureBlitz Cybersecurity Media, with a background in Computer Science and Digital Marketing. When not writing, he's probably busy designing graphics or developing websites.
