What are Managed IT Services? A Quick Explanation

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Managed IT services, also known as managed services, is the process of allocating all IT services of a company to third parties, who are known as Managed Service Providers (MSPs). The third-party service providers are responsible for managing the IT operations of the company. MSPs provide numerous services like data backups, on-demand support, security, and 24/7 monitoring services, among others.

Some companies seek managed IT services to get services like networks, off-site servers, and storage systems, among other services. The following are a few factors that have led to increased demand for managed IT services:

  • The ever-increasing pressure for companies to remain up-to-date with the latest advancements in technology
  • Lack of technical know-how among the internal employees of the organization
  • Increased number of data security breaches in most organizations
  • The need to increase operational efficiency

Managed IT services have made things easier for companies. By distributing your critical technical functions to third-party service providers, you have the opportunity to get better services, with the extra benefit of reduced costs. Please note that this is the same level of convenience that you get when you migrate your on-site services to the cloud.

Why managed IT services?

Now, if you have a well-established and growing business, you need cutting-edge technology to remain competitive. However, having a large in-house IT department to manage your IT infrastructure is a big challenge for most businesses. These businesses depend on a reliable IT infrastructure that operates without any disruptions and adjustments to their budgets.

Managed service providers provide security, patch management, data backup, and alerts, together with a number of options for your devices like desktops, storage systems, servers, notebooks, individual applications, and networks.

How are managed IT services structured?

Although managed service providers offer the same services as in-house IT departments, they have different structures. Typically, MSPs have different engineers working for them and they serve different clients. Because of this, the providers can scale their resources depending on the clients they have. Also, MSPs provide a cheaper method of providing experienced IT technicians to small businesses at a lower cost.

Besides, managed service providers offer their services on a subscription basis. So, they normally break down their costs differently. However, they will charge you an initial cost for auditing your current infrastructure, the initial hardware needed, as well as monthly fees for the services and software needed.

Also, it’s important to note that the cost of the managed IT services you get will depend on the size and needs of your company. And, like any other contracted service, your recurrent fee covers the terms that you agree on. However, your managed service provider will charge you for the resources and time you use outside the signed agreement.

Common types of managed IT services

Managed security services

This service has a wide variety of IT managed services, which range from malware protection, antivirus, and patch management, among other security updates—, which are all completed remotely. Research conducted by Pinsent Masons revealed that close to 82% of all IT technicians plan to outsource management security services at some point.

In the past few years, we’ve seen increasing malware attacks have increased the need for companies to reinforce their data security to protect customer data or losing business because of cyber-attacks. Typically, managed security services are used in these three functions:

  • Application compatibility – this ensures that all the programs and hardware components in your business are compatible with each other and integrated into your entire network.
  • Patching and maintenance – your managed services provider will make sure that your software and network are updated to prevent viruses and hackers from penetrating your security shields and infecting your system.
  • Anti-malware software – this is the software program installed in your company’s network to protect your data and client’s data from any possible cyber threats.

Managed Data Analytics Services

Most companies today have started to utilize managed service providers, to analyze and collect data to see the patterns or trends that they can implement in their strategies to optimize their business models. Previously, this kind of work was only used to monitor traffic throughout the clock.

However, with the data that companies collect, they can target their wider marketing strategies, inventories, staffing schedules, as well as a supply chain to match with high traffic patterns. This, in turn, helps businesses to optimize their efforts and cost-efficiency.

Managed Cloud Infrastructure Services

This service allows MSPs to manage the computing, operating systems, storage, and networks of different clients. The service also incorporates any tools, platforms, and databases that run with any given infrastructure. Managed cloud infrastructure services are typically built depending on the selection of the function picked by a client.

Please note that any cloud-based model must meet the suitability and needs of the client, as well as their business. So, when you partner with a managed service provider offering this service, you get to focus on your essential business. With this, you avoid the hassle of learning cloud systems or hiring engineers to manage your cloud services.

Managed Software-as-a-Service

The experts from Jackson managed IT services say that with Managed Software-as-a-Service, your MSP provides you with the software programs that you need for your business. You can subscribe to this model for unlimited access for a certain duration, depending on your SLA. The software program that you can either be developed and implemented by your MSP or one that the service provider avails and managed from a third-party service provider.

Your managed service provider will ensure the remote installation of all the updates, upgrades, and patches whenever they become available. This guarantees that all your services remain at an optimal level and allows your staff to concentrate on your business needs. With this service, you get the comfort and peace of mind you need since you know that all your systems are secure, updated, and performing optimally.

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