What are managed IT services? Well, some of that answer will depend on what managed service provider (MSP) you ask. Nonetheless, there are common elements that make up the managed IT definition. Simply put, managed services is the practice of outsourcing the responsibility for maintaining IT processes and functions to improve operations and reduce expenses. But really, it’s much more than that. Let’s review how managed services works, managed IT services examples, and use cases to help you understand the managed IT services meaning.
Defining Managed IT Services
The way we frame the managed IT is that the services provided should give the customer the ability to focus on their core business. Not on their technology needs and challenges. Managing technology is a separate, time consuming job. It can take away from focus on business functions if managers and executives dedicate their time to information technology rather than their actual business. Managed IT services solves this problem by being a well-rounded IT department who you can trust to manage things for you. Managed services solutions can be provided in packaged service offerings (sometimes in tiers) or custom-built for a business’s unique technology needs. Outsourcing some or all of your IT needs can help you focus more on how to expand your business, and not if your servers are up and running.
How Managed Services Work
What managed services fully involve will depend from provider to provider, but again, there are common elements to the technology services provided. At its core, an MSP will provide you with technical support and facilitate day to day IT functions. They will also proactively monitor your technology infrastructure to eliminate unnecessary downtime. This is the opposite of the break fix model, which is often the function of an understaffed internal IT department or an immature services provider. This model corrects problems after they occur, rather than identifying and mitigating issues before they arise. As mentioned above, the purpose of having a managed services provider is to proactively manage your technology. You need your tech to work when you need it to. Additionally, an MSP will help you strategize so you can scale your IT as your business continually grows. Your particular levels of service, such as how often someone will visit your office on-site for maintenance and assistance, or how often you’ll work together to create IT strategy, will be defined in the service level agreement with your managed services provider.
Types of Managed IT Services
Not all managed service providers are created equal. Some MSPs focus on supporting enterprise level businesses. Others are better aligned to fit the technology needs of small and mid-sized businesses. Some service offerings available from some MSPs are things like managed security or other security services like audit or penetration tests. Security services enhance the cybersecurity element of your IT infrastructure and your valuable business information. Depending on your industry, you could be subject to scrutiny under regulation and compliance standards. Security can be a small part of your IT needs and support. Or, you can expand a security offering to be as comprehensive and in-depth as you need. Even if they do not have a dedicated security offering, most managed services companies provide items like patch management or backup and disaster recovery services.
Whether you have an in-house IT team or not, MSPs can offer help desk services to remediate daily technology issues. From password resets to new user setup, the helpdesk can be a great resource to alleviate the day-to-day IT challenges your company faces. Additionally, items like cloud services are often provided as an add-on. This typically includes choosing a cloud provider, to getting you set up in the cloud, cloud management and more. Lastly, if you are looking for project support, MSPs may an additional teams of professional service engineers for project and consulting work specifically. These teams can support businesses with IT projects like network setups, offices moves, or implementing VoIP systems.
Benefits of Using a Managed IT Service
Partnering with an MSP allows businesses to enhance efficiency, security, and scalability while reducing the burden on internal IT teams. MSPs specialize in delivering tailored IT solutions for specific industries, such as healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. Industry expertise can bring compliance and regulatory specific support. By leveraging the benefits of outsourcing IT services, companies gain access to cutting-edge technology, 24/7/365 monitoring, and expert guidance. These key resources help you stay competitive in an evolving digital landscape.
Benefits of Using a Local or Regional MSP
You may find it beneficial for many reasons to work with a local or regional MSP. One major reason is f you have on-site needs for IT support and service. Not every IT issue can be solved remotely or over the phone. A local or regional managed IT service company would be close to your business to solve in-office issues. NetGain has presence in the southeast and mid-west region of the US, with six locations across five states. With offices in Lexington, KY, to Cincinnati, OH, and St. Louis, MO, we can support business in larger cities and local towns.
Managed Services Use Cases
Many kinds of businesses decide to use managed services for IT support. We found that typically a business who turned to managed services did it for a few reasons:
- IT is struggling to keep up with business growth. Maybe when the business began, a one-man shop or single internal IT hire worked for them, but as their business continues to expand, so does their technology, and the IT they had is no longer enough to keep up with demand.
- The business is struggling to hire and retain a staff of qualified IT professionals. The IT industry has always been competitive, even before COVID the Great Resignation. Turnover is generally high, not to mention that maintaining a staff of IT pros is expensive when you add up maintaining certifications, the high average salary of an IT professional and more.
- IT leadership departed, retired or plans to do so soon. We have had some cases where IT leadership for a company departs for a variety of reasons, prompting the organization to re-examine their IT strategy and consider managed services. Especially for small and medium sized businesses, they realize it often makes sense to shift over to an MSP, since they have to make a change anyway. In a few cases, we’ve had departing IT staff recommend NetGain for IT services direction based on their work with us!
Each business has their own particular reason for adopting managed services. If any of the above apply to you, it could be a good time to consider switching. Additionally, if you found any of the above managed IT services description resonates with the technology needs of your business, then it would be appropriate to consider as well.
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NetGain’s Award-Winning Approach to Managed IT Services
NetGain’s takes a forward-looking approach to managed IT services, and we excels above competitors. We’ve been in business for over 40 years. With hundreds of certifications across our engineering teams, and numerable industry awards, we’re the choice provider for small and mid-sized business across many industries. NetGain is dedicated to the growth and success of our clients. We strive to make technology a differentiator for their business and operations.
