More and more business owners are beginning to see the benefits offered by managed IT service providers. In fact, up to 77 percent of businesses are now using these professionals for at least one service.
While this is true, there are still a large number of business owners who have not reaped the benefits these services have to offer.
Getting to know more about managed IT support services is the best way to see why investing in them is such a good idea.
What are Managed IT Support Services?
Before diving into the various services offered by a managed IT service provider, it is a good idea to learn more about what these are.
Managed IT services typically cover a range of different business functions. Some of the services you may see include:
- Network and application management
- Backup and recovery solutions
- Printer and workstation management
One of the most common ways that managed IT services are used by small businesses today is in cloud computing. However, security is also a popular service option.
Benefits of Using Managed IT Services
Some of the specific benefits offered by using managed IT services include:
Access to Expertise
This is especially important for smaller businesses. With these solutions in place, they can outsource expertise and knowledge, which can be a huge help.
They also have on-demand technical support at any time of day or night.
Predictable Costs
Instead of having to cover large expenses for IT problems, businesses using a managed service provider can pay a single monthly fee. While the fee is going to vary based on the services provided, it’s typically an affordable rate even for small businesses.
Upgrades and Maintenance
With this service provider in place, your business doesn’t have to worry about whether or not their software is current and up-to-date. All of this will be taken care of by their provider.
You will also have access to newer technologies that your business may not have been able to access or afford alone.
Time Savings
When you outsource managed services, it will reduce the amount of time your in-house department has to spend on it. This allows them to focus on their core responsibilities, increasing productivity significantly.
Keep reading to learn more about the specific services offered by a managed IT service provider.
Managed IT Services
If you are considering investing in managed IT services, some of the most common you will encounter are listed and explained here.
Managed Networks and Infrastructure
This helps to reduce the cost of operating and owning a data center. Instead, you use the managed IT service provider by entering a contract with the company.
This service provides you with managed hosting solutions, managed storage backup, LANs and WANs.
System Monitoring
Managed network along with system monitoring are also offered by managed IT service providers. By using this sophisticated system monitoring software, important information that’s relayed includes downtime, lost customers, inaccessibility, interruptions, and lost productivity.
Monitoring this information is something that’s extremely hard for most businesses to achieve. This is when managed services can be invaluable.
Some of the components monitored include (but aren’t limited to) uptime of critical applications, performance quality, and databases.
Managed Security Solutions
This provides remote security within an organization. Some of the services include protection from ransomware, malware, and anti-virus protection.
With these things being done remotely, upgrades are able to happen on-time and seamlessly. This ensures protection from any threats that may be lingering.
System Design and Solutions
System design is both time-consuming and hectic for the majority of business owners. Having a team to manage this is going to guarantee that the business maintains a well-analyzed and proper system designed for optimal output and productivity.
Managed service providers offer clients solutions and maintenance for their systems once they are contracted.
Managed Communication Services
Communication is a crucial factor for any business. Having the right communication systems in place is absolutely essential for a business that operates properly.
Some of the communication help that managed IT service providers offer includes video, voice, and data communication. They also provide the use of a managed call center.
Virtualization Solutions
Virtualization is a managed IT service that offers a logical picture of the operation of computer hardware systems, along with running software. This allows for the modification of computer options to suit business needs.
With virtualization solutions, you gain the ability to multitask and run various operating systems at once. Additionally, you can operate heavy programs on the same machine. This is a service that offers server consolidation, which saves money by reducing the types of servers being used.
It can also help to promote business agility.
Should You Invest in Managed IT Services?
The question of whether or not your business should use managed IT support services is one you will have to decide on your own. However, as you can see, there are a wide array of services that can prove beneficial to your company and overall productivity.
Remember, if you decide to use these services, it is a good idea to do plenty of research to find the right company for the job. The right company is going to provide the services and solutions you need, along with many you may not have realized you require.
If you found the information here beneficial and need more information about IT services, be sure to contact us right away. We can help in the creation of a custom IT services plan that provides the solutions your business needs for success and superior levels of productivity.
