IT can be a complex responsibility for any business. IT involves implementing, maintaining, supporting, repairing, and protecting data/computer systems and for most businesses when it's not working correctly, or not at all it can mean major financial losses. With all these complexities more and more businesses are turning to Managed IT providers for help.
According to SWZD's Annual Report on IT Budgets and Tech Trends, managed services spending will account for 18% of IT budgets in 2023, up from 15% in 2020.
How Does Managed IT Work?
Managed IT means that your organization's internal IT is managed by a third-party company, commonly referred to as a Managed Service Provider (MSP). Typical services include managing your network infrastructure, end-user support, backup, and security. The customer pays a monthly fee in return for their services.
When a Managed IT provider is chosen, you allow them full access to run and monitor diagnostics on your networks. This allows your MSP to point out security threats, map out the network infrastructure, and make recommendations about your network capabilities to streamline your business.
The IT provider will constantly monitor your network, ensuring it runs smoothly and is protected from suspicious activity or breaches. This gives your company one less thing to worry about with day-to-day operations.
What Do I Get with Fully Managed IT?
Below we have listed most, but not all, services that can be provided through fully managed IT providers. Different providers may provide different sorts of services and may also charge a flat rate or ala carte depending on the company. Make sure to conduct thorough research when looking at which provider and services may be best for your business.
Help Desk
A help desk service team can be contacted with any questions or concerns regarding your network or for user support. They ensure you get the help you need from the correct department. The help desk is also commonly known as the First Response team because they are the first people you contact if you seek service help in IT.
System Administration
System administrators are a team of people often called in after the first responders. They regularly maintain the upkeep of servers, firewalls, laptops, and other aspects of the IT infrastructure.
Network Operation Center (NOC)
NOC is a team of people who monitor, manage, and control a company's network. They aim to minimize the risks of network attacks, network failures, or black holes. They prevent security threats by seeking out suspicious network activities and resolving issues.
Security Operations Center (SOC)
SOC is a team that monitors an organization's security foundation. They will ensure that there are no security issues; if there are, they will respond with a solution. This is accomplished with constant supervision of a company's websites, networks, servers, and databases.
Professional Services
This means anything provided outside of a client's monthly agreement. For example, if a client needed assistance with an IT solution that is not in their agreement, then professional services would be provided for the project.
IT and Cybersecurity Risk Assessment
This is an assessment of any risks or vulnerabilities that may be in your network. These assessments are of the utmost importance to determining what next steps can be applied that will keep your network protected.
IT Management
IT Management is when an IT company oversees all aspects of information technology operations. An organization can become fully optimized and efficient in its business processes by utilizing IT management.
Network Monitoring
Network monitoring is The process of monitoring a network to look for any issues, such as if the networks are slow or not running properly. Finding a root cause for an issue found during network monitoring will create action items for your MSP to secure and stabilize your network infrastructure.
Computer Monitoring
This software tool is used to monitor a computer. The computer monitoring software records any data or activity on the computer to collect information on security, asset information, and other performance conditions and analyzes it for abnormalities.
Backup Management
Backup management entails storing copies of your data so that information is not lost if the system crashes. Any data lost can be recovered from the backup and restored to its original location.
Incident Response
This is the reaction to a security breach or cyberattack. It is a strategy that an IT organization must manage an incident to minimize damage, provide recovery, and reduce costs.
IT Asset Management
IT Asset Management is when the system is implemented to manage tangible assets (computers, firewalls, servers, etc.) and intangible assets (intellectual property, customer lists, strategies, etc.) within a company.
IT Procurement
This refers to the purchase, implementation, and management of information technology.
IT Project Management
This is a system to ensure a project is accomplished within a certain period and budget. It consists of initiating a project, establishing and executing a plan, and achieving IT goals.
Computer/Server Maintenance
Computer/server maintenance ensures that a server is continually updated so that the network avoids glitches or losing data. Keeping the server updated allows the network to run smoothly and more securely.
IT Compliance Management
This is when experts review all your company's security for different data processes to ensure it complies with laws and industry-specific standards. This can be done through compliance audits and implementing policies and procedures that comply with these regulations.
Threat Detection
Threat detection is a process by which you find threats that are on the network. The earlier you can detect a threat, the better chance you have at stopping malicious cyber-attacks.
Firewall Management
Firewalls help to shield your computer from security threats or viruses. Security system management is a review of firewalls to see if they need to be updated to maintain a high level of protection.
Mobile Device Management
This is a solution that is used to monitor mobile devices that are used within an organization. This ensures that sensitive business data is secure on mobile devices by regulating what apps can be on the device, having GPS locating capabilities, and securing the device if stolen or lost.
Protection Services Management
Protection Services Management uses software to detect and prevent anything harmful from infiltrating your computer.
IT Change Management
This process prepares your team for an IT change and supports your team.
IT Documentation/Procedure-
IT documentation/procedure entails the implementation of documentation software that can help your company save time, increase productivity, and promote innovation.
Why Should I Consider Managed IT?
There are many factors that may come into play when weighing your options of whether managed IT services may benefit your business. Here are the top three reasons we at Usherwood believe it may benefit your business for future success and growth.
Create a More Efficient IT Infrastructure
By hiring a third-party IT company, your company's IT team can go from just one or two personnel to a whole team of experts with backups and high levels of training. Your business’s infrastructure could be more efficient and productive. Full focus can be applied to servicing your technical support rather than your business manually having to manage your IT on top of what daily work you already have.
An outsourced Managed IT provider can handle the tedious work, while you can focus on maintaining your business. Your company will be at the advantage of having the sole attention of an outsourced Managed IT company in your service, creating a more efficient business environment.
Securing the Future of Your Business
Having Managed IT can reduce your company's risk of being hacked or running into security threats. By having your network monitored on a 24-hour basis, managed service providers (MSPs) can quickly detect any suspicious activity within your network. Your MSP can be proactive by catching any breaches or network holes before damage is done. This will give your business peace of mind that your network is secure, stable, and optimized for future growth.
Promoting Growth and Efficiency
In most cases, the best fit for Managed Service Providers is businesses looking to grow their company by leveraging their technology. A managed IT provider allows your business to work more smoothly and efficiently. Managed IT will enable a more seamless workflow by lifting the weight of worrying about your IT from your shoulders and shifting the weight to them, so your organization can focus on its growth goals without the fear of IT management and maintenance holding you back.
Interested in Managed IT?
Now you know what services and benefits you can expect when working with MSP, but what's next? To learn more about what your organization should look for in a MSP, visit our “10 Questions to Ask Before Committing to a Managed Services Provider” article or “Why Usherwood Stands Out Among Managed Service Providers (MSP’s)”. You may also request a tech evaluation to better understand your current situation and what’s needed for the growth of your business.
