In our data-driven era, outsourcing has had its fair set of changes, and we know it by the term Managed IT services. The popularity of Managed IT services has risen to such astounding levels that the global IT Managed services market is estimated to be worth around $329 Billion by 2025.
- So what exactly are Managed IT services?
- What is a Managed Service provider?
- Are Managed IT services of interest to your IT business?
Let’s get into the specifics and answer these questions in detail.
What are Managed IT Services?
Managed IT services refer to the contracted and proactive management of all or parts of an organization’s IT infrastructure and end-user systems. This could encompass everything from desktop computers and networks to servers and data storage.
Investing in managed IT services reduces the overhead of having internal expertise. It relies on the managed service provider (MSP) to monitor critical infrastructure to identify and eliminate technical problems before they cause disruptions to business operations. Outsourcing their IT needs to expert teams frees internal resources to focus on other business priorities.
In most cases, a managed IT service provider will deliver these services remotely, using a combination of on-site staff and, in some cases, off-shore resources to provide round-the-clock support.
What is a Managed Service Provider?
A managed service provider (MSP) is a company that provides IT services to businesses on a contract basis. MSPs typically offer a wide range of IT managed services, including cloud-based services, data backup and recovery, network security, application development, and end-user helpdesk support.
By outsourcing IT services to MSPs, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) can save money on staff, equipment, and other resources. Managed service providers often have economies of scale that allow them to offer lower service prices than the cost overhead of doing it yourself.
While some MSPs focus on core niches within IT, others offer a more comprehensive suite of services. In many cases, MSPs work with clients to develop custom solutions that meet their specific business needs.
What are the benefits of using Managed IT Services?
Now that we understand the basic terminologies related to Managed IT Services let’s get into the specifics and look at some of the benefits offered by Managed IT Services organizations.
Streamlined operations
Efficiency is the key when it comes to operations. Managed IT services streamline operations by taking care of the business’s day-to-day; IT needs, from real-time monitoring and management to software updates and network security.
Predictable & Scalable Spending
Selecting the services you need as a business or opting for a pay-as-you-go model can save your company a lot of money in the long run. With this type of service, you only pay for what you use, which helps keep your IT support spending predictable and manageable.
In addition, managed IT services are highly scalable, so you can easily adjust your level of service up or down as your business IT needs change.
Avoid Expensive Downtime
A single minute of downtime can cost thousands of dollars in lost productivity and missed sales opportunities for any business that relies on its IT infrastructure. A trusted Managed IT services provider can help avoid these costly disruptions by proactively monitoring and managing a company’s IT infrastructure to identify and rectify issues before they disrupt operations.
MSPs have dedicated trained technicians that can often resolve issues more effectively than in-house IT staff, saving businesses even more money.
Support for Security & Compliance
When you outsource your IT to an MSP, they will ensure that your systems meet all relevant security standards and regulations. Also, MSPs have trained staff that understand IT security and ransomware, and they can give you access to the latest security technologies and quickly implement them across your network. They can also offer awareness training to your employees to identify and prevent phishing or ransomware attacks from succeeding.
Proactive Monitoring & Issue Fixing
MSPs have the tools to constantly monitor your network and quickly identify and fix any issues that arise. This keeps your business running smoothly and avoids any disruptions that could prove costly.
Managed IT services can also help you identify potential problems before they become a full-blown crisis. Identifying and addressing issues early on can prevent the need for more expensive repairs or replacements.
Single Point of Contact
Time is money—one of the major cost benefits of using a managed service provider is having a single point of contact for any IT-related problem. Rather than maintaining a list of vendors for every IT-related task, the managed solution provider will handle all the hardware and software vendors so businesses don’t have to engage in complicated, technical conversations.
Reduced Risk
MSPs have a highly trained team of certified experts who are up-to-date on the latest technologies and cybersecurity threats and know how to manage and mitigate them. They can also proactively monitor your systems 24/7/365, identifying and fixing problems before significant damage events occur. In addition, an MSP can help you develop and implement a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) so that the company stays prepared for any eventuality in the immediate future.
What’s the difference between Managed IT services and cloud services?
While both managed IT services and cloud services provide a similar suite of features and benefits, they are two entirely different types of services.
- Managed IT services are typically more comprehensive, while cloud services are more focused on specific tasks or applications. Cloud services are a subset of managed IT services.
- Cloud services focus on providing access to software and applications that are hosted off-site. On the other hand, managed IT services encompass a more comprehensive range of activities, including monitoring and maintaining networks, systems, and data backup and recovery.
History of Managed IT Services
In the early days of computing, since the 1900s, businesses typically employed in-house teams of break/fix IT resources to design, build, and operate their computer systems and networks. In this model, IT support technicians would offer their services on an as-needed basis, often via an IT helpdesk, usually only being called when something went wrong.
As technology and networks became more complex and business-critical. The highly trained resources needed to support this became more expensive, making it increasingly difficult for businesses to maintain their own in-house IT departments. This system was time-consuming, labour-intensive, costly, and reactive. It didn’t allow for rapid growth for their business or taking on new clients without massive investments in labour and infrastructure.
Managed IT services emerged in the early 2000s to meet this increasing demand, shifting away from the break/fix model. Managed IT services providers (MSPs) can offer their clients a proactive, preventative approach to IT support.
MSPs typically charge a monthly fee for their services and often bundle services to make them more attractive and scalable. Being able to offer more services remotely gives MSP more pricing flexibility. Having a regular income stream from their services means they can use it to invest in their business.
As a result, many companies began outsourcing their IT needs to more specialist providers. Outsourcing proved to be a very successful way for companies to reduce costs and focus on their core business activities.
The rise of managed IT services coincided with the explosive growth of the internet, cloud services, and new technologies. This has enabled MSPs to offer a broader range of competitive service offerings that can be tailored to each business’s specific IT needs and budget.
How can CG Technologies help you?
Since 1996, CG Technologies have designed its managed IT services and managed IT solutions to provide trusted IT support in Toronto at a price that businesses can afford. With 100s of satisfied customers, CG Technologies is a trusted partner that scales with you as your business grows. Our support team is 100% Canada based, and they have a track record of excellence for their clients who rely on them for all their technology needs. Contact us to learn more.