Managed IT services provide quick access to various IT experts at a cost that’s often less than hiring a full-time IT team. Find an MSP that prioritizes communication and client feedback to build a trusted partner relationship.
Unlike the break-fix repair model, managed services proactively reduce downtime and ensure IT systems align with business goals. Learn more about this increasingly popular IT solution.
What is a Managed Service Provider (MSP)?
An MSP is a third-party company that manages and assumes responsibility for specific IT management functions, typically under an agreed-upon service level agreement (SLA). Companies often contract them with more internal resources to support IT objectives and needs.
They help clients by reducing IT costs, increasing agility, and enabling their employees to focus on strategic projects and business growth initiatives. Additionally, they bring the benefits of scale, experience, and efficiency to IT services such as monitoring and troubleshooting.
MSPs can also provide access to talent they may otherwise lack. For example, as older workers retire and young people are reluctant to learn obsolete technologies, MSPs like WorkSmart can fill the gaps in specialized skills. This is especially helpful for organizations that need to deploy cutting-edge applications but need help finding skilled staff to support them. They can also assist with project management, critical for ensuring technology deployments are executed on time and within budget.
What are the Benefits of Managed IT Services?
When your internal team is consumed by IT troubleshooting and equipment malfunctions, they need more time to tackle projects that drive business growth. Managed services can take over these tasks, reducing your staff’s time on maintenance and freeing them up for more ambitious work.
Regarding cybersecurity, you need an experienced team to keep up with new technologies and attacks. A managed services provider has the resources and knowledge to provide comprehensive cybersecurity support.
Your business data contains valuable operations, marketing, sales, and strategy information. A single cyberattack can damage or destroy this information, resulting in expensive downtime and lost productivity. Managed services offer continuous monitoring of your IT systems to prevent a cyberattack before it happens. They can also help your business to develop and implement a disaster recovery plan. This ensures that your business can continue to operate in the event of a disaster.
What are the Components of a Managed IT Service?
In addition to remote management and monitoring, managed IT services may include security services, support services, and business application solutions. These services are typically bundled into a subscription-based model, allowing businesses to budget for monthly IT expenditures.
Unlike break-and-fix IT support, which treats individual issues as they occur, managed IT services focus on preventive and proactive maintenance that nips problems to reduce downtime and IT costs over time. This approach also reduces the risk of data breaches and other cyber threats.
MSPs may provide project-specific technology expertise, such as helping a company execute an IT initiative like a major SharePoint build or Salesforce implementation. They can also offer ongoing technical assistance for business applications and be a sounding board when making technology decisions for the organization. This can relieve internal staff of some of their more mundane IT responsibilities and allow them to focus on other critical business initiatives.
What are the Common Services Included in a Managed IT Service?
Tech systems like computers, phones, and network systems are vital tools that keep small to medium businesses (SMBs) running and their data secure. These systems also help companies gain a competitive edge by boosting productivity and offering access to leading technology solutions at a fraction of the cost.
Rather than following the traditional break-fix model that monitors systems until something goes wrong, managed IT services can provide a holistic approach to IT support, giving customers round-the-clock service for all their IT infrastructure needs for a fixed monthly fee. Businesses can reduce costs and streamline IT management by eliminating the need for internal staff to become experts in various applications.
Moreover, identifying vulnerabilities and preventing issues before they happen allows MSPs to protect businesses from costly cyber breaches. This can also boost customer trust and encourage new business. As a result, a solid managed IT service is crucial to growing and scaling businesses.
