What Are Managed IT Services?

With all the technology businesses use day-to-day, it can get confusing to learn the differences between IT solutions. Most people know that IT stands for Information Technology, but what exactly would IT services look like? And why should they be outsourced instead of just having an internal IT department?

These are all common questions business owners ask, and IT outsourcing is a relatively new concept in the last few decades. To make it easier to understand, here's an overview of what managed IT actually is and the value it can offer your business.

What is Meant By Managed Services, and Why Do I Need Them?

The term "managed IT services" refers to outsourced support you would normally get from your IT person but with more collective expertise and fewer long-term costs. An IT team will help you:

• Quickly resolve server outages to get your business back up and running
• Save you time and money by optimizing your network to run faster with less downtime
• Fix day-to-day problems ranging from multifactor authentication issues to vendor management (i.e. calling Microsoft for you to resolve tech issues!)
• Solve integration issues between your devices, network, and any other technology
• Plan your IT strategy and tech stack to make the most out of your budget
• Minimize cybersecurity risks

This is not a full list of services, as an IT provider handles your entire scope of technology needs. Imagine any technical headache you'd have on a daily basis, and a managed service provider (a.k.a an MSP) will likely have you covered.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Managed IT Services?

Some common issues with outsourced IT services are:

• Loss of full control over IT when it's not in-house
• Techs are not on-site with remote IT support
• Contractual bonds can be intimidating
• There are often high initial costs

To read a more extensive guide on problems you could run into, check out our blog: 6 Biggest Problems When Working with an MSP

The benefits of managed IT include:

• Predictable IT budgeting reduces costs over time
• IT techs become familiar with your day-to-day operations and can adapt accordingly
• It simplifies scaling your business as it grows and adds more seats
• Proactive IT project management reduces outages from aging devices or software

These are the most general benefits of managed services, but you can read more about them in our blog: How Outsourced IT Services for Small Businesses Are a Secret Weapon For Success

Are there Different Types of Managed Services?

Now that you've got an overview of what these services entail and what to expect, you should know the different business models in the IT industry. These will include managed IT, co-managed IT, and break-fix models.

"Managed IT Services" Meaning

This is what most people refer to when they say "managed IT services". This is a service where you pay a company to handle all of your IT management from budgeting to day-to-day troubleshooting.

What Are Co-Managed IT Services?

Co-managed IT networking services is a popular option for many businesses. It's a way to enhance your IT strategy by bringing in support to supplement your in-house team, bolstering your capabilities and cybersecurity.

Through co-managed IT, your IT team will have additional help for larger projects, with a wide range of experts to collaborate with for technology management.

What is Break-Fix IT?

Break-fix IT is a pay-per-service model where you only get service when something goes wrong or "breaks". This model is considered reactive IT, and does not cover larger, long-term projects.

Although this method is considered cheaper due to lower initial costs, it may cost you more in the long run to forego the technology planning a manager service provider will offer.

Can Managed IT Help Save Me Money?

You may wonder why managed IT would be worth the cost. After all, there are high initial costs associated with the service. However, keep in mind that the average cost of an IT outage is around $5600 per minute for small to medium-sized businesses according to Acronis.

Multiply that by how long your outages usually last, and the resulting costs will likely far outpace the costs associated with managed services. That's why many businesses with tight IT budgets opt for managed IT, since it is an investment to reduce downtime and improve operational efficiency.

To read more about the costs and tradeoffs of managed IT, read our blog: How Much Does Managed IT Support Cost?

What Does This All Mean For My Day-to-Day?

No one likes technical difficulties, especially when they actively cost you time and money. When you send in a ticket or call an IT support service, you are outsourcing the headache to experts who are highly trained in resolving the issue.

Their specialized roles (with titles like Cybersecurity Specialist or Integrations Specialist) allow them to hone skills in specific areas to allow them to resolve problems quickly.

Problems that could take your internal IT team hours to figure out will be resolved swiftly by a specialized service directing them to the necessary expert. This means shorter wait times, simpler problem-solving, and greater ability to focus on your business.

How Do I Decide on a Provider?

There are a couple questions you should ask any provider before partnering. The biggest things you should look for are the quality of customer service, how thorough their processes are, and their priorities when handling IT. Be sure they prioritize:

• Short service call and ticket wait times
• Friendly, helpful service with highly qualified staff
• Effective IT budgeting with customized, cost-effective solutions
• Experience in your industry & knowledge of your unique needs
• Cybersecurity training and tools to protect you from hackers

One game-changer offering to look for in IT companies is having your own Virtual Chief Information Officer (vCIO). These are high-level professionals with several years of experience in the IT industry, who will act as a part of your team to plan and manage IT.

To read more about these pivotal resources for your business, check out our blog: FAQ's About Virtual Chief Information Officers (vCIOs)

What To Do Before Signing on With an MSP

If you're determined to invest in managed services, keep in mind there are crucial steps to take before jumping into a contract. Make sure to get a thorough network assessment to get a reading on where your IT posture stands. This way, you can gauge the services you need, devices to invest in or leverage, and other details about your strategy to iron out.

To learn more about what network assessments can tell you, read our article: Network Assessments: What Insights Do They Reveal?

If you're ready to explore network assessments, managed IT, or any other technology solutions, click the button below to get in touch with an IT expert.