Information Technology (IT) has been quickly evolving over the years. In order to be competitive with other rival companies, you have to keep up with the changes and leverage the right IT for your company. However, not all companies can create their IT team, especially in the case of small and medium-sized businesses. Thus, in order to stay competitive and handle their company’s technical needs, many companies have discovered managed services as their main solution.
What is meant by managed services?
Managed services refer to the job that a managed service provider (MSP) does. This requires providing IT services that enable its clients to determine technology-related marketing strategies to boost channel sales and eventually business success.
Interestingly, managed IT services or otherwise called outsourced IT involves getting a third-party service for your IT, infrastructure, and other technical support needs. You may also be more familiar with its company type called MSP or managed service provider.
The services that MSPs offer are varied and can cover all aspects of cybersecurity needs, backup recovery, VoIP solutions and so much more. Companies often outsource IT support if they lack the proper resources to sustain an in-house IT team of experts. Or if they prefer to have the expertise and other available benefits afforded to them when they hire MSPs.
Due to the broad and complex IT problems that arise, more companies turn to MSPs for solutions and recommendations. Due to the diversity of technology, MSPs provide services in many kinds of managed services. Learning these service options will be beneficial since this allows you to determine which ones your company needs as well.
Kinds of Managed Services
Under the MSP realm, here are the different kinds of providers and the services that they provide. Do note that not all MSPs provide all these services. An MSP may cater to all these services while another may only offer some services and/or provide a specialized managed service offer only. Get to know each managed service and remember the ones that you will need for your business.
1. Managed Security
This type provides all services you need for remote security infrastructure. It includes everything from BDR solutions up to anti-malware options plus the regular updates of these solutions.
2. Managed Networks and Infrastructure
In this service type, the MSP handles all the tasks of the whole network. Some tasks will include establishing WAPs, LAN, and other connections needed by your company. Backup management and storage options are also under their care.
3. Managed Support Services
This is a common service offered by MSPs. It includes the services you need concerning IT help including troubleshooting up to handling the most advanced issues.
4. Managed Cloud Infrastructure
It’s a managed service that caters to the more in-depth kind. This cloud infrastructure management handles storage, computing, IT, and network. Some MSPs also offer virtualization services for software, apps, operating systems, and many others.
5. Managed Print Services
In this type of managed service, the provider assists with data as well as file infrastructure remotely. This service is the best option for companies that require complex file management.
6. Managed Wireless and Mobile Computing
This service requires wireless connections and is quite useful for companies that do not have enough capital to cover it in-house. What’ more, companies can use this for internal networks.
7. Managed Software as a Service (SaaS)
In this kind of service, MSPs offer a software platform for businesses and is usually availed by subscription. Some software included here include universal communication software, Office 365, and anti-virus software.
8. Managed Communication Services
MSPs providing this service offer a series of communication infrastructure including VoIP (voice over internet protocol), messaging software, video, and data. If a company requires it, the provider can even operate as a third-party call center.
9. Data Analysis
Companies searching for data management monitoring services need to look into data analytics. This service includes business intelligence to focus on specific trends and then creating roadmaps to boost business performance.
As you can see from the list above, the managed services market is so diverse that many businesses can find a specific kind of service needed specifically for their IT requirements. And whether you need partial or total managed services, an MSP can surely cater to whatever you need minus the resources that you cannot afford to provide for your in-house IT of experts. In addition, MSPs can handle the needs of any level of the enterprise including small, medium or large businesses. Do you have concerns with your budget? Look into the flexible service-level agreement plans.
Managed IT Support
Are you looking for staff services to implement support for you? Managed IT support is a specialized service that can cater to handling problems or issues that arise regularly. In case the company’s staff cannot handle all these or if the currently set solutions do not provide long-term sustainability, then this is the best choice for you to avail.
As with the 9 managed services discussed above, managed IT support services are availed as a third-party MSP. However, this kind falls under outsourcing at the staff level.
Advantages of Managed IT Support
The primary advantage of managed IT support is filling employment gaps. In addition, there are other benefits outside employment.
First, a managed service provider possesses the experience and technical know-how from IT specialists and career professionals. That range of expertise enables them to deploy strategies and solutions that can boost the overall performance of a particular department or even the whole company.
Second, this IT support affords cost-saving advantages. This happens when a business omits to hire an in-house staff that would require the prescribed compensation packages mandated by the laws of the state or country they are based. By getting an outsourced third-party, fees are lesser and easier to bear, especially for SMEs.
Third, MSPs can handle IT problems proactively. As a result, a business can limit or eliminate downtimes or performance issues and ensure efficient functioning of company operations.
Cloud-based Management Services
With the adoption of cloud models for various tech businesses these days, there is also an increase in the demand for its accompanying support. As a result, traditional MSPs are now evolving to cater to cloud-based service needs as well.
To fit the model of key IT support, cloud managed services have to follow a cloud model. These cloud-based management services include remote assistance about network building, IT troubleshooting, responsive support, data monitoring, and cybersecurity. Businesses can now supplement their infrastructure and/or staff wherever the need may be. In addition, their MSPs can help come up with a proactive tactic to their framework.
To cite an illustration, an MSP handles data monitoring can also monitor the bandwidth used by the business. Another example is that while administering security monitoring to ensure that the business network is secure, the provider also searches for unusual activity or malware intrusions.
Without a doubt, there can be benefits unintentionally afforded. And with the cloud evolving faster than some can handle it, cloud-based managed services are also increasing just as fast.
Top 7 Characteristics Of MSPs
When your business has decided to invest in an MSP, here are some characteristics to look for from top-performing managed providers.
- Security – The provider handling any information or data must employ stringent security measures and promptly responds to combat any data loss that may occur.
- Responsive – A good MSP gives critical support within 24 hours. In truth, the faster it is given, the better it is for the company – and the better impression is given by the MSP.
- Service Level Agreement Pricing – Each business requires different needs and resources. As a trustworthy MSP, you have to be able to provide flexible pricing models.
- Backup Recovery Options – There is always the risk of downtime. When that happens, be a quality provider by knowing that all data and information are 100% safe.
- Various Options – Expert MSPs can handle various services simultaneously and in one place.
- Accessibility – This involves an MSP having the ability to access data from several secure points including remotely by mobile devices or from the office.
Conclusion on Kinds Of Managed Services
With all the types of managed services offered to boost channel sales and business success, you must realize that IT is an essential beast. As technology drives success for most enterprises, even SMEs must have some level of technical support.
To address this need, managed providers are stepping up their game to handle not only traditional MSP models but also cloud-based services. As a result, businesses can have access to key infrastructure that ensures data security and boost company growth as well. For any IT-related problems that you may have, feel free to contact us anytime. Rest assured, you can have expansive and flexible options that allow your business to open its doors to its limitless possibilities.
Discover what types of managed services CWDash and its MSPs provide. What’s more, feel free to use our free tools to boost your business success. To set up a meeting, feel free to contact us today.