How do you define Managed IT Services?
Managed IT services allow small to medium businesses (SMBs) to delegate their IT operations to expert third-party organizations known as Managed Service Providers (MSPs). They can handle the totality or portions of a business’s IT needs, as agreed beforehand in a Service Level Agreement (SLA).
Depending on the SLA, MSPs may offer proactive 24/7 monitoring and maintenance at a flat fee, as well as issue resolution, priority IT support, and more. The goal is to ensure IT systems work at peak performance according to the client’s needs.
Not only are issues fixed promptly, but businesses also have access to cutting-edge technology and creative solutions that can boost productivity and revenue. It’s meant to remove the stress and worry of IT and being a part of a service level agreement means you’ll know exactly how much it’ll cost and what you can expect.
Every year, more businesses of all sizes are taking the leap and leaving their technology needs in the hands of IT professionals. According to a recent study, the MSP market is expected to reach 354.8 billion USD by 2026 from 242.9 billion USD in 2021. This proves that businesses trust MSPs to manage their internal IT systems and keep their data safe.
The managed services agreement (MSA)
The Managed Services Agreement is where the Managed IT Services firm and the client define all the terms that will guide their business relationship. It specifies the service model that will be used. Many MSPs offer customized plans for companies with specific needs.
It is in the MSA that MSPs and clients define the scope of the service, identify the services that will be performed, and expectations are clarified. This document is designed to give all parties a clear understanding of the business relationship so that no surprises arise in the future.
Depending on the MSA and the type of service agreed upon, MSPs may provide proactive 24/7 monitoring and maintenance at a flat fee, as well as issue resolution, priority IT support, and more. The goal is to ensure IT systems operate at peak performance according to the client’s needs.
What is included in Managed IT Services?
The following are some of the disciplines included in any managed IT services plan.
Security compliance
IT security compliance is the action that a corporation or organization engages in to prove that they meet the security standards or objectives that have been established by an external party, generally through an audit.
A good IT services provider will ensure all security standards are met.
Backups and disaster recovery
If you manage a small to medium business and work with sensitive data regularly, you must keep it safe. Unfortunately, hacking and data interception is becoming increasingly sophisticated. Furthermore, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are among the most prominent targets of such attacks. Any solid business continuity plan should include some sort of data protection approach. Disaster recovery has become a critical aspect of all responsible organizational operations, whether it’s financial records, private client information, or anything else.
Don't stress over IT, leave IT to us!
Monitoring and maintenance
Also known as Remote Monitoring and Maintenance (RMM) consists of a set of information technology tools that reside on the servers of a customer. The goal of these solutions is to keep track of every activity at each workstation and send information and analytics to the IT service provider so that any issues that develop can be resolved.
Help desk support
Help desk support specialists are the go-to teams for computer systems, hardware, and software technical assistance and support. They’re in charge of responding to questions and dealing with system and user concerns in a fast and professional manner. Help desk support collaborates with the IT department and often interacts with system and computer users throughout the organization.
User management
User management refers to the ability that an administrator has to manage user access to different IT resources such as systems, applications, networks, and more. Any identity and access management solution, especially directory services solutions, must include user management.
Reporting
System notes and diagrams, network configurations, passwords, licenses, and guidance for specialized setups, all form part of the reporting process. This will ensure continuous support and maintenance are efficient, and those updates and enhancements are simple to implement when needed. On request, a professional MSP should provide access to this documentation.
What are the benefits of Managed IT Services?
Significant cost reduction
Having an in-house IT team often leads to incurring various sunk costs like monthly salaries, insurance, and office maintenance. In addition, it takes both time and money to train IT staff to become familiar with your existing systems and processes.
By leaving your company’s IT necessities to the professionals, you can reduce the capital expenses that come with having an in-house team that adds little to no value to your business.
Access to advanced expertise
You’ll need the greatest and most experienced people to give you guidance and take care of your IT needs. However, this level of skill usually comes at a cost.
With a managed IT services provider, you’ll have access to the IT professionals who can help your company succeed. This cuts the need to hire expensive experts.
Focus on core business
Businesses can concentrate on their core competencies by delegating IT operations to specialists and enjoying more peace of mind. They may concentrate on their primary business instead of dealing with IT concerns.
How to know if your business needs Managed IT Services
Almost every small to medium business can benefit from hiring an MSP. These companies need to focus on their core operations to offer the best service. Having to deal with data servers, data backup, user management is too much of a hassle. That’s why most SMBs seek the professional help that Managed Service Providers offer them.
To help you decide if you need professional IT assistance, you can ask yourself the following questions:
Is your business secure from cyber threats?
In case a major disruption occurs, do you have a backup plan?
What if you suffer from a ransomware attack, is your data backed up?
Do you have a business continuity plan?
And we’re only talking about security and business resilience here.
Conclusion
Enough of me talking about what a Managed Service Provider can do for your business. Yes, they offer high-quality service at a fair price, but you will only discover that when you try it for yourself.
If you’re looking for professional IT services, you just happen to be in the right place. Give us a call to start designing the plan that best fits your business goals.
