What Are Managed IT Services?

Updated October 6, 2023
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Have you ever considered outsourcing IT tasks? Most businesses decide to outsource such assistance either for on-demand response or complete coverage of information technology duties.

These providers assist companies by reducing their in-house overhead, improving their uptime management, and increasing IT efficiency. A soaring number of companies are interested in making such a move due to the various benefits that come with the decision, including efficiency, better security, proactive approach to system maintenance, higher return on investment, and more resources for innovation.

Have a detailed look at these services.

What are managed IT services?

Managed IT Services

These services allow businesses to outsource their IT needs to a certain vendor as subscription or contracted services. Such assistance is used to lighten the burden of in-house teams, help teams that are unfitted to IT demand, or entirely replace in-house teams. MSPs provide IT duty coverage 365 days a year, 24/7.

The services provided by MSPs involve many responsibilities, such as hardware and infrastructure management, remote monitoring, configuration, communication support, and security services, including penetration testing, incident response, threat hunting, etc. Read more useful information about hardware. The benefits of teaming up with the right provider are numerous.

Companies are able to set contractual terms for IT services, meaning they won’t have to spend time recruiting and training information technology staff. Consequently, companies are exempted from paying the costs associated with having full-time workers. Outsourcing such services allows teams to focus on tasks that generate revenue. The guidelines and recommendations offered by providers optimize infrastructure performance, which improves ROI and productivity.

Since MSPs aren’t bound by the same schedule as the other workers, they can conduct system updates in the course of non-working hours. The flexibility to work around your schedule prevents workflow disruptions and better uptime.

Types of managed services

There are different types of managed services that businesses can take advantage of. For instance, end-user services provide an array of offerings that usually revolve around IT support channels. The most basic level of assistance includes IT helpdesk solutions where users get their technical issues resolved by a team of specialists. The issues to be solved can range from mobile devices and operating system support to application upgrades and installs, connectivity errors, etc.

Certain large corporations are equipped with the necessary resources to address these needs internally. However, many businesses lack the expertise, budget, or bandwidth to do so. Hence, they have no other alternative but to outsource their helpdesk to an MSP. See this website, https://www.webopedia.com/definitions/bandwidth/, for some answers to the most frequently asked questions about bandwidth. As end-user expectations keep on advancing, businesses tend to incorporate technologies like IT automation, BYOD policies, etc.

Infrastructure support is another type of managed service that businesses should look for on the market. IT infrastructure can be classified as the heartbeat of any company. Since the main functions gradually become digitized, the job of your infrastructure is to facilitate them to be able to work efficiently.

The primary components of an information technology infrastructure are hardware, storage, networks, and software. Given the various infrastructure components, MSP offerings come in various categories, including network security, managed networks, etc. Services falling under large categories can consist of data backups, data analytics, reporting, and firewall solutions.

On-site, otherwise called managed field, services refer to the dispatch of technicians to a given location to perform different IT tasks. These tasks can include equipment installation and repairs, wireless and cabling projects, site surveys, etc. When hiring an MSP for on-site assistance, the provider usually manages the project from start to end.

In addition, the provider is in charge of scheduling and dispatching technicians, managing work orders and tickets, and ensuring communication run smoothly. The most trusted Managed IT providers offer incredible technical expertise to address different business needs. The expertise and experience of local technicians are invaluable to businesses supporting numerous branch locations and remote offices.

Another type of assistance businesses can get from MSPs is cloud services. These have become a necessity for companies wishing to remain competitive. Cloud services enable companies to accommodate their growth and plan their IT budgets. Employees can demonstrate their productivity from anywhere in the world by accessing the secure network of their company, which enables data storage and sharing of files.

When having an MSP for a partner, you won’t have to worry about overseeing and supplying servers. Cloud servers take the role of data center backup, which in turn improves IT security. Additionally, it reduces the costs otherwise spent on conventional on-site infrastructure.

Security services are a must when hiring managed IT assistance. Malware use has undergone an increase of 358% in the course of 2020, whereas ransomware use has increased even more, by 435%. Such figures indicate a greater sophistication of cybercriminals. The security solutions offered by MSPs range from malware protection, antivirus protection, patch management, and various security updates.

Furthermore, the installation of anti-malware software keeps your data and the data of customers safe from threats and cyberattacks. Conversely, patching and maintenance services make sure companies are equipped with the latest software. Only by using the latest software, hackers and viruses will be prevented from penetrating security protocols. In contrast, application compatibility ensures all hardware programs and components are compatible and integrated into a more extensive network.

Technology support is another form of managed information technology service, which is available for different projects. In the course of regular business operations, staff members tend to face problems with specific programs, systems, and protocols. When using managed support services, staff members can get in touch with remote help centers for advice and guidance.

Additionally, such coverage involves help with software and computer desktop programs. The objective of MSPs is to implement and manage applications on behalf of clients. They also make sure fixes are quickly available without staff members having any concerns. MSPs provide timely problem resolution to ensure downtime is kept to a minimum while profitability and cost-efficiency increase.

What’s included in these services?

After explaining the general division of services, businesses should also get familiar with the exact forms of assistance included in MSP packages. For example, proactive support refers to regular hardware assessment. It highlights the systems that are bound for replacement prior to failing or resulting in downtime. Network weaknesses are checked regularly to fix any vulnerabilities before cybercriminals are provided with a chance to exploit them. The detection of issues in the early stages is vital for preventing disasters.

Monitoring and maintenance tools are used by MSPs to provide constant uptime. As a result, business productivity is boosted while the financial risk is eliminated. User management is another form of managed service assistance, including useful tasks like setting up new users, removing old users, password management, and permission changes.

Data security has never been so much important. Therefore, you must know that your data is safe and secure from hacking, ransomware, and data theft. Firewalls should be implemented not only to detect but prevent network intrusion as well. While on the topic of data, we should mention that data loss is harmful to any business.

In the event of a disaster, such as premises damage or a severe system crash, businesses must know that their systems will be operational and back to function as soon as possible. Disaster recovery processes should be included in every service package to guarantee data safety and minimal downtime.

Conversely, asset management refers to equipment tracking. This type of management provides access to updated information on the age, user details, specifications, and branch location of devices. Account management, however, provides implementation and management of the best technologies for meeting business objectives. Good MSPs offer regular product updates and identify opportunities for system and process improvements.

Moreover, the service level agreement should clearly define and guarantee response times. Regarding documentation, MSPs should provide detailed diagrams and notes of systems, passwords, and network configurations. Documentation enables more efficient ongoing maintenance and support. You should be provided with access to such documentation upon request.

Last but not least, reporting services should be part of the packages provided by MSPs. Businesses should receive comprehensive monthly reports that provide full visibility of their IT system status.

Final word

MSP assistance is no longer an option for most businesses.

If your company lacks the resources to handle IT duties on its own, then teaming up with an MSP is indispensable for enjoying business success!

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