Computer technology has transformed businesses across all industries. However, in today’s business world, not every company is properly equipped to support the complexities of their IT requirements. Even companies with in-house IT teams struggle to keep pace with the changes in today’s IT technology; making it difficult to resolve every network, security, or administrative issue let alone stay abreast of the evolution in technology and cyber threats.
That’s why managed services providers are being used by more businesses than ever before.
For companies that want to reduce costs, improve quality of IT support, and have more time to focus on doing business, managed IT services are the clear choice.
Contact Vivitec to Learn More About Managed IT Services
What Are Managed IT Services?
Managed IT services are a collection of IT tasks that have been offloaded to an external service provider to either augment internal resources that perform IT services or in lieu of building internal resources to perform IT services.
An effective managed services provider oversees the overall business technology environment of a client. IT experts monitor and respond to avoid tech issues or respond to tech issues as they arise and implement measures to prevent security problems.
Some examples of managed services include:
- Cloud storage
- Server maintenance
- Data backup
- Disaster recovery
- Network and security monitoring
- Systems administration
- Infrastructure management
The exact services that a managed IT service will provide are defined with each client. Procedures for technical support, help desk services, unexpected downtime, and emergency recovery are typically included. Services are often delivered at a standard monthly rate in the form of a subscription, so expenses remain predictable.
Why Are They Important?
Having proactive and reliable support is indispensable. Managed services are important because they allow businesses to perform their core operations with much less risk. Connected technology has become integrated into almost every aspect of business.
Many (if not most) employees depend on computers with network and internet connectivity to accomplish their daily objectives in one way or another. And when tech problems occur, it can be incredibly frustrating and costly for employees or in-house tech teams to solve them alone.
Managed IT service providers not only help resolve tech issues but also work to actively maintain and update IT systems to reduce the risk of downtime or security breach.
With the assurance of a reliable managed services provider, clients can worry less about solving stubborn tech issues and spend more time achieving their business goals.
What’s the Difference Between Managed IT Services and Traditional IT Services?
The managed services model isn’t just a rebranding of traditional IT services. There are key differences between these two types of IT services that businesses should be aware of.
Traditional IT Services
Historically, traditional IT support has been a mostly reactive service. In other words, a tech problem usually has to occur before traditional IT services are needed. Sometimes known as break/fix services, if something breaks, the user contacts an IT provider to fix the issue.
But users in need of tech support are at the mercy of a traditional IT service provider’s business hours and availability to fix problems.
Some companies have their own in-house IT teams to perform traditional IT services, though others may outsource. These teams can be perfectly adequate for smaller companies without much complex technology to manage.
Traditional IT services that are outsourced may be purchased as a block of hours or at a subscription rate. Internal IT support comes with training and salary costs that multiply with each team member.
Managed IT Services
On the other hand, managed IT is a proactive service. Providers work to prevent problems before they occur rather than waiting until something breaks. Managed IT service providers constantly monitor the technological needs of their clients and can customize their service packages to suit a particular business.
Managed IT service providers usually have systems and processes that ensure minimal downtime and significantly reduced response times should an issue arise.
Managed services also provide clients with regular reporting to identify vulnerabilities and pain points.
In terms of pricing, managed IT services are almost always offered at a standard monthly rate or subscription model. Prices remain constant and predictable so clients can more easily budget their expenses.
Which Method is Right for Your Business?
There are pros and cons to both traditional and managed IT services. Deciding which services provider is right for you depends on the factors like the size and overall technological needs of your business.
Pros of Traditional IT Services
Traditional IT services are great for a business with relatively little technology infrastructure. 24-hour support and ongoing remote monitoring aren’t necessary for every business.
Having an outsourced IT services provider or even salaried IT specialist on staff to solve occasional tech issues might make more sense than paying for a suite of services from a third-party provider.
Cons of Traditional IT Services
But traditional IT services aren’t always cost-effective. Recurring training and the need to expand an internal IT team can quickly become expensive.
Outsourced traditional IT teams often charge premium rates per hour. And since outsourced teams may be unfamiliar with your network, troubleshooting and network downtime may last longer than expected, costing you more.
Traditional IT services depend on things breaking to earn revenue. This reactive model puts less emphasis on updating, maintaining, and protecting technology systems and more emphasis on fixing problems as they occur.
Pros of Managed IT Services
Managed IT services are designed to support and centralize all aspects of IT for a business. A managed services team works to ensure that technology problems don’t occur rather than waiting for a tech emergency to happen.
This option is generally more cost-effective for businesses with relatively complex technology systems. You won’t have to worry about paying premium hourly rates to resolve tech issues, nor the costs of training and salaries.
Managed service providers also offer 24/7 availability, ensuring speedy responses and minimal downtime in the event of a crash or system failure. And rather than IT generalists, these providers are often staffed with IT professionals that have a particular area of expertise in order to solve specific problems.
Third-party service providers are also excellent for providing the latest security protections to prevent data breaches. And they can also help businesses avoid penalties by taking care of data compliance.
Cons of Managed IT Services
Managed services are usually remote and with limited in-person support which may be a change to the business. While Managed services can reduce costs in training, equipment, and software, there are recurring costs involved that small businesses may not have budgeted.
And while most service providers cover an extensive range of business technology needs, the provider may not be able to solve a problem if it’s outside their scope of expertise.
It’s up to you to decide whether you need traditional or managed services for your business. But as the need for ongoing tech support continues to rise, it might make the most sense to choose a managed service provider.
Understanding the Benefits of Managed IT
Though Managed IT has its pros and cons, the benefits of managed services are undeniable.
Focus on Your Business
First and foremost, working with a managed services vendor allows you to do business without wasting time and money resolving technical issues. You can focus more on your core business objectives and worry less about choosing the right hardware and software vendors or troubleshooting login issues.
One of the benefits of managed services is relieving employees from dealing with tech issues and giving them the assurance they need to do their jobs.
Greater Expertise
Managed services provide a higher degree of expertise compared to an internal IT team. Managed services give clients access to a dedicated team of IT experts at a standard rate. Rather than hiring several IT specialists at a premium hourly rate as issues arise, you can enjoy a full suite of services to resolve tech problems at one consistent price.
Reduce Costs
Managed IT charge prices commensurate with the professional quality services they provide. It’s certainly a business expense, but it’s a predictable expense that you can build your monthly budget around.
Working with a managed IT service provider can translate into cost savings for your business. You’ll save money on hiring and training internal IT workers. And since managed IT depends on a service level agreement, you won’t encounter any unwanted costs for services you don’t need.
Made to Scale
Managed services are great for small businesses that are experiencing growth because services are typically scalable. Many managed IT service providers can anticipate the future technological needs of their clients and help to implement the appropriate technology as a business grows.
More Availability
While traditional IT services operate on limited business hours, managed IT works 24/7 to give your business the support you need. In today’s workplace, employees and employers alike may be distributed remotely across different time zones. And depending on the nature of the job, work hours may be unusual.
With the help of a managed IT service provider, teams can receive the support they need to accomplish their objectives no matter where or when they are working.
Proactive Problem Solving
One of the biggest benefits of having a reliable managed IT service provider on your side is a proactive approach to solving tech problems. Rather than waiting for issues to arise, managed service providers monitor systems for potential issues and resolve them before they can do any harm.
This reduces the likelihood of expensive system downtime which can cost some small businesses as much as $5,600 per minute. And should a driver crash or other unforeseen issue occur, backup and disaster recovery services can ensure that you’ll be up and running again as soon as possible.
Reliable Service
Finally, with a reliable partner like Vivitec, you’ll have a team of experts dedicated to your specific business needs. Managed service providers will provide a single customer success manager who will be intimately familiar with your account and give you the white glove service you deserve.
How the Pros Outweigh the Cons
There are some drawbacks to choosing a managed IT service provider. You won’t get an in-person IT specialist to solve your problems immediately and the cost of quality services can be higher.
But the pros outweigh the cons.
A managed service provider will simply give your business the most comprehensive range of services from the most knowledgeable professionals. With constant proactive monitoring and updating of your systems, you’ll experience fewer issues and can resolve problems 24/7 should they arise.
And with a managed service provider, you’ll have a partner dedicated to your unique needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. You’ll have a reliable point of contact to advocate on your behalf whenever you experience a problem.
Why Should You Outsource IT Services?
It can seem challenging to use outsourced managed services rather than in-person IT support. But there are actually quite a few good reasons to choose outsourced IT services.
Outsourced IT services provide support on demand. You won’t have to wait for an IT specialist to arrive in order to solve tech issues.
And when you outsource your IT, you’ll never have to worry about security or compliance. Your outsourced IT team will perform regular security updates and ensure compliance with data and cybersecurity regulation standards.
Hiring and training your own IT team is expensive. Outsourcing your IT gives you the benefits of timely support, reduced downtime, and improved productivity without the expenses of an in-house IT specialist.
How Vivitec Can Help Your Business Thrive
Vivitec is a values-based IT firm committed to providing our clients with world-class service.
When you work with Vivitec, you’ll get a customized solution for your unique situation with all the attention you need for technology success.
We believe in creating great customer relationships with a simple, secure, and reliable technology experience. Whether you’re familiar with today’s business technology or need some guidance, we’re happy to work with you every step of the way.
And of course, we’re dedicated to getting things done right, sharing our expertise, and constantly improving our processes.
If you’re interested in managed services for your business, contact us today to get started. We’ll get to know you and create a custom suite of services for your unique business needs.
FAQs
What are the benefits and uses of managed IT services?
The benefits of managed services include proactive problem solving, greater expertise, better response times, reduced costs, and more time to focus on business objectives.
Why is managed service important in business?
Managed services are important because they reduce risks associated with business technology. They provide many fundamental services like cloud computing, server maintenance, data backup, disaster recovery, network and security monitoring, systems administration, and infrastructure management.
Are managed IT services worth it?
Yes! For most companies, managed IT services provide greater benefits and reduced costs.