Managed IT Services Explained

With businesses getting more and more reliant on technologies, sound IT services and support at the core has become a pre-requisite for business success. And while it’s not feasible for small and medium-sized businesses to employ a fully dedicated IT staff to oversee their IT network; the idea of resorting to managed IT services provider is gaining momentum and catching a wave.

Whether you are a small business or a medium enterprise, we can manage your computer resources, support your end users, and protect your network and data. By unloading the burden of you or others in your corporation having to deal with IT and Network issues, you regain lost productivity and can focus better on expanding and growing the business.

What is a Managed IT Service?

A managed IT service is a type of IT Support /in which a third-party company provides various IT-related services to its clients. These services can include things like monitoring and maintaining the client's computer systems and networks, providing technical support, managing the client's data and backups, and handling software updates and upgrades.

Managed IT services are often used by businesses that do not have the resources or expertise to manage their own IT infrastructure. By outsourcing these tasks to a managed IT service provider, businesses can free up their internal IT staff to focus on more strategic projects and initiatives. Managed IT services can also be more cost-effective for businesses, as they can often provide a fixed-cost model for IT support rather than charging on a per-incident basis.

Some common types of managed IT services include:

• Network management: This includes things like monitoring and maintaining the client's network infrastructure, managing network security, and troubleshooting network issues.
• Desktop support: This includes providing technical IT support to the client's end users, managing the client's desktop hardware and software, and handling desktop upgrades and updates.
• Data management: This includes managing the client's data and backups, providing data security and recovery services, and handling data migration and integration.
• Cloud Services: This includes managing the client's cloud-based applications and infrastructure, providing cloud migration services, and handling cloud-based data management and security.

What are the Benefits of Managed IT Services?

There are several benefits to using a managed IT service:

• Cost-effectiveness: Managed IT services can be more cost-effective for businesses, as they often provide a fixed-cost model for IT support rather than charging on a per-incident basis. This can help businesses better budget for their IT expenses and avoid unexpected costs.
• Expertise: Managed IT service providers typically have a team of highly trained and experienced IT professionals who can handle a wide range of technical issues. This means that businesses can benefit from the expertise of these professionals without having to hire and train their own IT staff.
• Time-saving: By outsourcing their IT tasks to a managed IT service provider, businesses can free up their internal IT staff to focus on more strategic projects and initiatives. This can help businesses be more productive and efficient.
• Increased security: Managed IT service providers can help businesses improve their cybersecurity by providing a range of security services such as monitoring and maintenance, data backup and recovery, and incident response.
• Scalability: Managed IT services can be easily scaled up or down to meet the changing needs of a business. This can be especially helpful for businesses that experience fluctuations in demand or that are undergoing rapid growth.

Are there any Disadvantages to Managed IT Services?

There are some potential disadvantages of using a managed IT service, these include:

• Dependence on the provider: By outsourcing their IT tasks to a managed IT service provider, businesses may become reliant on the provider for the smooth functioning of their IT systems. If the provider experiences issues or downtime, it can disrupt the business's operations.
• Loss of control: When using a managed IT service, businesses may have less control over their IT systems and processes. This can be a concern for businesses that place a high value on control and autonomy.
• Potential lack of flexibility: Some managed IT service providers may have strict service level agreements (SLAs) that dictate how they handle certain issues and how quickly they respond to requests. This can limit the flexibility of the service and make it difficult for businesses to customize the service to meet their specific needs.
• Communication issues: Working with a managed IT service provider may involve dealing with multiple points of contact and a chain of communication. This can lead to misunderstandings and miscommunications, which can be frustrating for businesses.
• Potential for service outages: Managed IT service providers may experience outages or downtime due to a variety of reasons such as technical issues, maintenance, or natural disasters. This can disrupt the business's operations and affect its bottom line.

Why Choosing the Right IT Service Provider is Important

Choosing the right IT provider is important because the provider will play a significant role in the operation and success of the business. A good IT provider can help a business run smoothly, efficiently, and securely, while a poor provider can lead to problems and disruptions.

Here are a few reasons why choosing the right IT provider is important:

• Expertise: A good IT provider should have a team of highly trained and experienced IT professionals who can handle a wide range of technical issues and provide expert guidance.
• Responsiveness: A good IT provider should be responsive and able to quickly address any issues or problems that arise. This is especially important in the case of an emergency or critical issue.
• Reliability: A good IT provider should be reliable and able to consistently deliver high-quality service. This includes things like uptime, data backup and recovery, and cybersecurity.
• Cost-effectiveness: A good IT provider should offer competitive pricing and flexible pricing models to meet the needs of the business.

Why you Shouldn't Choose Managed IT Services Based on Price

There are a few reasons why you should not choose managed IT services based solely on price:

• Quality of service: It's important to consider the level of service and support you will receive from the IT provider. A lower-priced provider may not have the resources or expertise to offer the level of support that you need.
• Hidden costs: A lower-priced provider may seem like a good deal at first, but they may have hidden costs or fees that can add up over time.
• Long-term value: It's important to consider the long-term value of the managed IT services you are considering. While a lower-priced provider may seem like a good deal in the short term, they may not have the resources or expertise to support your business in the long run.

It's important to carefully evaluate the managed IT services you are considering and not just choose based on price. It's better to invest in a provider that can offer the level of service and support your business needs in the long term, rather than just looking for the lowest price.

Don't be Fooled by Free Service Offerings

It's generally a good idea to be cautious when considering using any free service, especially when it comes to IT services. Here are a few reasons why you might want to avoid free services from managed service providers:

• Limited functionality: Free services often come with limited functionality, which means you may not be able to access all the features or tools that you need.
• Hidden costs: While a service may be advertised as free, there may be hidden costs associated with it, such as fees for additional features or support.
• Lack of commitment: Free services may not be a top priority for the provider, and you may not receive the same level of support or attention as paying customers.
• Data privacy: Some free services may collect and use your data in ways that you are not aware of or that you may not be comfortable with.

In general, it's a good idea to carefully review the terms of service and privacy policies for any service that you're considering using, and to consider whether the cost and potential risks are worth it.

Are there Bad Managed IT Service Providers?

Yes, there can be bad managed IT service providers. It is important to do your research and due diligence when selecting a managed IT service provider to ensure that you are getting the best quality service and support for your business. Here are a few things to consider when evaluating managed IT service providers:

• Reputation: Look for a provider with a good reputation in the industry. Read reviews and ask for references from other businesses that have used their services.
• Expertise: Make sure the provider has the necessary expertise and experience to handle the specific IT needs of your business.
• Communication: Look for a provider that is responsive and communicative, and that is able to explain technical concepts in a way that is easy to understand.
• Service level agreements: Consider the terms of the service level agreement (SLA) offered by the provider. Make sure the SLA clearly outlines the types of support and services you can expect, as well as the response times and resolution times for any issues that arise.
• Pricing: Compare prices from multiple providers to ensure that you are getting a fair price for the services you need.

By considering these factors, you can help ensure that you select a managed IT service provider that is reliable, knowledgeable, and able to meet the needs of your business.

Benefits of a Locally Based Managed IT Service Provider

There are several benefits to using a local managed IT service provider:

• Convenience: A local IT service provider is more accessible and easier to reach if you have any issues or questions.
• Personalised service: Local IT service providers are often more hands-on and able to provide more personalised service because they are familiar with the local business community.
• Responsive support: Local IT service providers can often respond more quickly to any issues or problems you may be experiencing because they are located closer to your business.
• Expertise: Local IT service providers often have a deep understanding of the specific needs and challenges faced by businesses in their community.
• Trust: Working with a local IT service provider can help build trust because you can meet with them in person and get to know them on a personal level. This can be especially important for small businesses or those that rely heavily on their IT infrastructure.

Using a local managed IT service provider can help ensure that you receive high-quality, personalised service and support that meets the specific needs of your business; also not all IT services can be performed remotely.

There are several reasons why not all managed IT services can be performed remotely:

• Some IT tasks require physical access to equipment: For example, installing hardware or upgrading hardware components may require someone to be physically present at the location where the equipment is located.
• Some IT tasks may require specialised equipment: Some IT tasks, such as repairing hardware or troubleshooting certain types of problems, may require specialised equipment that is not available remotely.
• Some IT tasks may involve sensitive information: In some cases, IT tasks may involve sensitive information that requires the use of secure communication methods or the presence of an on-site IT professional to ensure the security and confidentiality of the information.
• Some IT tasks may require on-site training or support: In some cases, IT tasks may require on-site training or support for users or IT staff, which cannot be provided remotely.

While many managed IT services can be performed remotely, there are still some tasks that require physical access, specialised equipment, involve sensitive information, or on-site training.

Should your Business use Managed IT Services?

Whether a business should use a managed IT service provider depends on its specific needs and circumstances. Some businesses may benefit from using a managed IT service provider, while others may be better off managing their own IT infrastructure.

Factors to consider when deciding whether to use a managed IT service provider include:

• The size and complexity of the business's IT infrastructure: Businesses with a large and complex IT infrastructure may benefit from using a managed IT service provider, as these providers typically have the expertise and resources to handle a wide range of technical issues.
• The business's IT budget: Managed IT services can be more cost-effective for businesses, as they often provide a fixed-cost model for IT support rather than charging on a per-incident basis. This can be especially beneficial for businesses with limited IT budgets.
• The business's IT expertise: Businesses that do not have in-house IT expertise or resources may benefit from using a managed IT service provider, as these providers can provide the technical support and expertise needed to manage the business's IT infrastructure.
• The business's goals and priorities: Businesses that want to focus on their core competencies and strategic initiatives may benefit from using a managed IT service provider, as outsourcing their IT tasks can free up internal IT staff to focus on these more important tasks.

Ultimately, the decision to use a managed IT service provider should be based on the business's specific needs and goals. It may be helpful to consult with an IT professional or consider conducting a cost-benefit analysis to determine the best course of action.