Over the last several years, the IT industry has evolved significantly. Almost every company today needs IT service in one form or another. Unfortunately, small and medium enterprises don’t always have the resources to invest in the latest technology, infrastructure, and workforce. As a solution, managed IT services have become the go-to for these companies to stay relevant and competitive.
What is the definition of a managed IT service?
Managed IT services, otherwise known as IT outsourcing, refers to a third-party firm that provides workforce, infrastructure, and technical skills to a range of organisations. The services available through these firms can vary significantly and may cover anything from telecommunications needs to cybersecurity. The need to outsource often arises when the organisation lacks financial capital to manage an in-house IT department. In some instances, they seek these firms to take advantage of a specific skill set that only an outsourced firm can provide.
Because IT in itself is a broad sector, companies usually select only a specific aspect to outsource. That’s why it’s essential to assess the needs of an organisation before choosing to outsource IT services.
What are the different types of managed IT services?
Before diving deeper into the realm of managed IT services, it’s always excellent to start by understanding the kinds of services commonly offered by these providers. Keep in mind that not every firm provides all services enumerated here. Some IT companies choose to specialise in one area so that they can focus their resources and expertise in a single function.
- Managed cloud services
- Managed IT infrastructure and network
- Managed IT security
- Managed IT help desk
- Managed cloud services
- Data analytics
- Managed mobile computing
- Manages SaaS
This list is in no way exhaustive of what you can expect if you decide to consider managed IT services. What’s excellent about having a lot of options is that an organisation can customise the coverage according to their unique needs and circumstances.
Qualities to look out for in a managed IT service provider
If your company is considering to outsource IT services, a crucial step in the process is establishing a checklist or criteria based on what your organisation needs. It’s essential to determine the qualities of a reputable service provider before creating a long-term partnership with the firm. Here are a few of the characteristics you need to look for in an MSP:
- Responsiveness. An excellent service provider is capable of deploying support in as little as 2 hours.
- Pricing for SLA. Every client’s needs are different. As such, the provider should offer a pricing plan that is both flexible and customisable.
- High-level security. Since you’re entrusting proprietary information to a third-party, a key aspect you need to look into is security protocols.
- Option for backup recovery. Experiencing a downtime is an unfortunate reality. Your provider needs to have a robust backup recovery process in place to protect your company’s information.
- Accessibility. Flexibility to access data should be available at a variety of secure points, whether mobile or within the office.
Finding the right IT service provider is not a challenging task. These days, there is an abundance of firms offering all sorts of services to match the needs of every organisation.
