Most IT teams aspire to innovate. They want to use technology to transform the way the company does business. Being a strategic part of the business is rewarding and emphasizes how IT is instrumental to company success.
Unfortunately, routine housekeeping tasks can be a full-time job for the IT department. Systems must be monitored at all times to prevent breaches and outages. Infrastructure technology continuously needs to be managed and upgraded to optimize operations. Managed IT services are a great way to free up your IT staff members so they can perform more meaningful work.
Companies also need to pivot quickly when unforeseen circumstances arise. Smart Business Network reported that managed services providers were instrumental in helping organizations make a successful transition to a remote workplace during the pandemic.
Through managed services, your company can outsource key services and harness specialized expertise while getting help keeping pace with technological change.
How Managed Services Work
Managed services have evolved from following a break/fix model to providing prevention, remediation, and modernization services for companies. In the past, managed services were what your business turned to after a problem emerged.
You would call in for support and get a ticket. Eventually, it was your turn to get your problem solved. Now, managed services provide around-the-clock monitoring and management to head off issues before they cause problems.
Typically, your company can choose from a range of services based on your company’s needs. You can choose services that align with your business strategy and pay for them through a predictable fee that might be charged monthly, quarterly, or annually. Be sure that your MSP does not “nickel and dime” for services after the contract is signed.
Managed services augment your in-house staff by providing specialized knowledge and depth of experience. Instead of putting your staff members out of work, managed services providers make their jobs easier by taking away the burden of mundane tasks.
Options for Managed Services
Today’s managed services run the gamut. They may cover anything from management and monitoring to communications. MSP Success Magazine reported that key tools include monitoring and management, professional services automation, backup and disaster recovery, and security.
Managed support services let your company take advantage of 24/7 assistance. Problems can be solved remotely and, if the provider is local, a staff member may even make an on-site visit.
Managed security services ensure that any threats are being detected and attacks are being prevented. Monitoring and security services are sometimes delivered through a fully staffed security operations center (SOC) or network operations center (NOC).
Some managed service portfolios may include cloud services or cloud migration services. These IT services help your company determine cloud readiness and accomplish a seamless migration.
Data protection and disaster recovery are also options for managed services. Backup and recovery can be provided to ensure your company maintains business continuity and high levels of availability, even after a traumatic incident.
Some providers also offer communications services, something that is essential for optimizing today’s remote workforce. Unified communications may be available for business collaboration, as well as basic VoIP services.
The Role of the Managed Service Provider
To take advantage of managed services, you need to go to a managed service provider (MSP). The MSP delivers ongoing support and proactive remote management to your company. You outsource chosen managed services to the MSP so it can anticipate issues and handle them for you.
The MSP will give you access to a deep bench of technology experts that specialize in the services they provide. The MSP staff will also have tons of experience working with other organizations, so it’s likely they’ll know how to solve any problems your business encounters. Typically, MSPs look to hire the best and the brightest to staff their companies.
Not all MSPs are the same. They offer different services and work under specific service level agreements (SLAs). Plans and payment models may differ from MSP to MSP. Some include managed security solutions, but including remediation services at no additional cost is what separates the good MSSPs from the great.
Some MSPs will offer more of a consultative experience. It may work closely with your company to decide on a strategy by providing assessments, proposals, or whiteboard sessions.
Where to Go for Managed Service
Your choice of MSP will depend on what you want to get out of the relationship. If you want the MSP to be more hands-on, look for one that provides consultations. Consider which services you are most interested in and seek out MSPs that specialize in these services.
Pegasus provides a consultative approach to managed services. We offer virtual CIO (vCIO), a service that helps develop a strategic roadmap for your company based on our years of Fortune 500 experience.
Our Managed Services include Built-In Managed Security Services with Remediation, 24/7 Service Desk Support, Server & Desktop Monitoring & Care, Business Continuity & Data Backup, Disaster Recovery, Network Monitoring & Management, Cloud Solutions, Microsoft Office 365 Migrations, and VoIP Phone Solutions.
