The contemporary IT system landscape is hyper-scaled, hyper-dynamic and hyper-complex. It’s no wonder that more and more companies are counting on managed IT services and the support of managed service providers to relieve their IT teams, optimize their IT processes, realize free IT resources, and reduce their IT costs. But what exactly are managed IT services and what are the reasons for purchasing managed IT services. You can find the solutions in the following blog post.
Whether a medium-sized company or a large corporation: a solid IT infrastructure is the cornerstone of every company. However, the growing digital networking, the inclusion of a larger number of digital technologies, the ever-shorter product life cycles and the high legal requirements mean that the IT structures in companies are becoming more and more comprehensive – and with them the tasks and areas of competence of the IT teams.
Take it from Cleveland companies today that often lack time, money, specialist personnel, and the right know-how, of which IT infrastructure is generally looked after by an external IT service provider via managed IT services in Cleveland.
But what exactly are managed IT services?
Managed IT services are recurring IT services that are provided on behalf of a company by an external IT service provider, also known as a managed service provider, or MSP for short. This includes, among other things, the provision, monitoring and administration of applications, network services, storage space, IT security or the further development of business processes as well as technical IT support for employees.
The type, scope and nature of the corresponding IT services are defined in detail in advance and contractually agreed between the managed service provider and the company in so-called managed service agreements, or MSA for short, or service level agreements, or SLA.
In addition, the managed IT services are usually provided monthly, which is why billing is usually done monthly according to different tariff models.
This means that not only the billing is extremely transparent, but also the implementation and quality of the IT services can be clearly measured. In the context of an improper or satisfactory transfer of performance, companies therefore have the option of withholding a portion of the amount to be paid or, under certain circumstances, even demanding a fine from the managed service provider.
These IT services cover managed services!
There are three different types of service provision in the managed IT service concept:
- On-site IT service: With this type of service provision, the IT systems run on-site at the client. Management and supervision take place via a remote monitoring and management system, or RMM for short.
- IT services via remote access: With this type, the IT services are operated on the IT service provider’s IT infrastructure and made available via the Internet. Some managed service providers operate their own data center for this purpose, while others work with colocation providers.
- IT services via the cloud: Another model is to provide managed IT services on a public cloud platform.
Although managed IT services initially mainly included the supervision of server and network infrastructures, they now cover an enormous area of IT, for example:
- Storage services – include the provision, adjustment and maintenance of storage spaces.
- Cloud computing – include IT services relating to cloud computing and the relocation of IT to the cloud.
- Backup and recovery services – include the creation of data backups and data recovery in the event of a disaster.
- IT security – include IT services related to IT security, including the provision, configuration and updating of anti-virus programs, anti-spam solutions or firewall solutions with the aim of ensuring network security and desktop security.
- Remote monitoring – includes regular remote monitoring and remote control of servers, IT systems and IT solutions.
- Update plus patch management – includes updating and patching the IT systems and IT solutions used.
- Application services – include the provision, customization and maintenance of important server applications.
- Helpdesk Services – includes all support services.
A distinction between managed IT services and outsourcing!
Managed IT services and IT outsourcing are not the same!
While IT outsourcing means outsourcing all IT tasks and IT areas to an IT service provider, the managed IT service model usually only outsources specific areas of the IT infrastructure.
Furthermore, IT outsourcing is usually accompanied by job cuts. Managed IT services, on the other hand, aim to relieve IT teams so that they can concentrate more efficiently on their main tasks.
Another key contrast between managed IT services and IT outsourcing is that IT outsourcing comes with a loss of control of IT. With managed services, the assets remain within the company.
What advantages do managed IT services offer?
Managed IT services offer companies numerous forward-looking benefits.
These include, for example:
- Efficiency: A number of IT processes, such as backup creation or IT maintenance, waste valuable time. By outsourcing certain routine tasks, employees can concentrate better on their core tasks. Furthermore, the companies are supported by a professional team of experts that is more extensive than they can achieve by employing IT staff.
- Company growth: Since all routine tasks are passed on to a managed service provider, companies have more capacity to focus on the deliberate direction and management of the operation and to implement the transition company-wide.
- Cost control: With managed services, companies have better control of their IT expenses. You know what to expect at the end of the month. Your assessments become more real and precise – an unexpected burden over the limit that requires new hardware or software licenses is avoided.
- Managed Security: As internet attacks grow, the pressure on companies to consider data compliance increases. Managed IT security services make it possible to respond to this threat accordingly. In addition, managed service providers usually have more security expertise and more powerful software than is available in small and medium-sized companies.
- Cost reduction: It is a challenge, especially for medium-sized companies, to have sufficient specialist staff on call for their IT department. However, thanks to managed IT services, companies benefit from a large team of experts who not only offer them the necessary IT advice, but also take on difficult matters.
- Digitalization: Digital transformation is rapidly changing our working world. Hardly any department is more affected by this than your operational IT. Thanks to managed IT services, companies will soon be able to implement technical innovations in Industry 4.0, such as powerful cloud solutions. This not only results in greater agility in your operations – you also achieve greater scalability.
- High availability: Since managed service providers typically have multiple redundancies, IT reliability can be guaranteed. There are also providers who ensure availability of up to 99.95%.
Conclusion: The rudder remains in your hand!
Managed IT services are on the rise. This is particularly because they reduce growing IT complexity, guarantee more transparency and free IT resources bring added value, inventiveness and innovation. Because of this, IT professionals agree – managed IT services are a good decision for every company when it comes to IT.
