Unlocking the Power of Managed Services As Your IT Solution

For companies in today’s fast-paced and technology-driven business landscape, staying ahead of the competition requires efficient and reliable information technology, or IT, services. Two primary options for managing your IT needs are managed services and traditional IT services. Each approach has its own set of advantages and drawbacks that business owners need to research before deciding which route to choose for their business. Here, we’ll explore the differences between these two options and help you decide which one is right for your business.

Table of Contents

What are Managed Services?

Let’s start with going over managed services. This type of IT management is a proactive and outsourced approach to IT management. In this model, a third-party provider, such as an IT services company, takes on the responsibility of monitoring, maintaining, and managing your organization’s IT infrastructure and systems.

This arrangement typically involves a fixed monthly fee, allowing for predictable IT expenses. Managed services providers (MSP) often offer a wide range of services such as network monitoring, cybersecurity, data backups, and helpdesk support. The cost and the services offered are typically outlined and managed in a service level agreement (SLA), which contains details for things such as compliance guidelines, agreed-upon downtime or uptime, IT performance, and more.

Types of Managed IT Services

MSPs provide organizations with a wide range of services that can be general in supporting IT operations or specific to your business’s unique needs and challenges. Commonly offered services include:

Help desk services for in-house application or for customers
Monitoring and maintenance of IT equipment, applications, and systems
Remote server and network hosting, monitoring, and management
Cloud-based or cloud computing services
Managed security services
Payroll services
Data backup and recovery services (BDR)

The type of responsibilities your team will transfer to a managed services provider largely depends on your IT environment — the technologies, processes, and products your team uses — as well as their current IT staff’s ability to manage those duties successfully.

Benefits of Managed Services

Managed IT services are beneficial for organizations of all sizes, including small businesses. It is as applicable for businesses that are new as it is for established ones. Some examples of the benefits you may experience using managed services include:

Proactive Maintenance

Managed service providers regularly monitor your systems and address potential issues before they become critical problems. This proactive approach minimizes downtime and disruptions.

Cost Predictability

You can budget more effectively with a fixed monthly fee, as unexpected IT expenses are significantly reduced when using a managed service provider.

Expertise

Managed service providers specialize in IT management, ensuring your systems benefit from the latest technology, resources, software, and best practices.

Scalability

Your IT services can easily grow with your business because managed service providers can adapt to your changing needs quickly.

Enhanced Security

Managed services often include robust cybersecurity measures to protect your data and systems from threats.

Drawbacks of Managed Services

As with any business investment, there are drawbacks to consider. For example, while the cost of managed IT services is predictable, the monthly fees can be higher than the occasional break-fix costs of traditional IT services if your systems rarely require support. In addition, relying on the managed service provider for all your IT needs can make your business dependent on that provider, which can lead to concerns about vendor lock-in.

What are Traditional IT Services?

Traditional IT services, also known as a break-fix approach to IT services, involve addressing IT issues on an as-needed basis. With traditional IT services, you only seek assistance with your IT infrastructure when something goes wrong. This service model is reactive, with IT support providers charging your business hourly rates or per incident.

Benefits of Traditional IT Services

Some businesses may prefer the traditional route, as doing so means you only pay for IT services when you need them. This can be cost-effective if your business has a solid foundation and you have minimal IT issues. Certain business owners also enjoy having more control over their IT decisions as opposed to using a managed service provider and enjoy choosing specific services or solutions as they see fit.

Drawbacks of Traditional IT Services

The issue with this approach to IT is that unexpected IT problems can lead to higher costs and budget uncertainties, making it harder to achieve your business goals. Traditional IT management can also lead to increased downtime. This is because businesses are often left waiting for IT support to resolve their issues, which can result in extended downtime and productivity losses. With traditional IT services, the business environment is primarily reactive, which means you may not address potential issues until they become critical.

Deciding Whether Managed Services or Traditional IT Services Are Right For Your Business

Choosing between utilizing managed services and a traditional approach to IT services depends on your business’s specific needs and priorities. Managed services may be an ideal choice if you value proactive maintenance, cost predictability, and want to offload IT management tasks to more experienced professionals. This model suits businesses that prioritize uptime, cybersecurity, and scalability. Comparatively, traditional IT services may be a better fit if you have minimal IT needs, want to maintain total control over your IT decisions, and are comfortable with the potential for unpredictable costs.

Managed Services - Better For Business

In today’s digital age, where technology plays a crucial role in business success, managed services often emerge as the preferred choice for businesses looking to optimize their budget, IT performance, and business success.

The proactive approach, cost predictability, and access to IT expertise can provide a significant competitive advantage. While both approaches have their benefits, the use of managed services aligns better with the demands of modern businesses looking to optimize their IT infrastructure and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

All About The Advantages of Managed IT Services