What are Managed IT Services?
In today’s technology-driven world, every business needs IT support in one form or another. This can range from having a tech-savvy employee that handles problems as they arise, to dedicated IT departments with several full-time employees. Most organizations are somewhere in the middle - they need expert technology support, but don’t have the need for full-time IT staff.
This is where managed IT services come in. This type of outsourced IT support continues to grow in popularity as businesses realize the value of investing in their technology, while relieving themselves of the burden of in-house hardware, software and network management.
What Are Managed IT Services?
Put simply, Managed IT services is the practice of outsourcing IT support to a third-party expert. Managed services often include the management of all aspects of an organization’s technology needs, including; technology procurement, support, security, and strategy. This outsourcing allows owners, managers, and employees to focus on core business functions without worrying about technology issues.
What Are Managed Services Providers?
Managed Services Providers (MSP) are the third-party technology experts that companies contract with to manage their technology needs.
As compared to a break/fix or on-demand outsourcing model, MSP’s provide services under a subscription model. Under this model, the client or customer is the entity that owns or has direct oversight of the organization or system being managed while the Managed Services Provider is the service provider delivering the managed services. The client and the MSP are bound by a contractual, service-level agreement that states the performance and quality metrics of their relationship.
The Growth of Managed IT Services
In the early days of computers, IT services functioned on a “break/fix” basis rather than long-term support and strategic planning. When something broke, a technician fixed it. That’s it. As technology became more sophisticated, the need for proactive system monitoring, upgrades and maintenance became more popular - and ultimately more cost-effective.
Today’s businesses demand their technology systems be “five-nines capable” (uptime rates of 99.999%), the break/fix model no longer works for businesses of any size. In order to operate at maximum efficiency, convenience and continuity, MSPs have become the preferred providers for the technology needs of a majority of businesses today.
Markets and Markets, a major B2B research firm predicts that the Managed IT sector will hit a whopping $329.1 billion by 2025.
The Top 5 Benefits of Managed IT Services
Managed IT services provide solutions to a number of challenges faced by organizations of all shapes and sizes. Here are five key benefits of using managed IT services:
1. Cost Savings
MSP’s can significantly reduce IT costs without the expenses of procurement, installation, or management of your own systems and team. With an outsourced provider, all of your technology needs can be taken care of for one predictable price.
2. Reduced Risk
MSP’s can help you to avoid the risks of technology downtime or cybersecurity incidents. A good IT provider knows how critical your success is to their own and goes the extra mile to backup their own systems and networks, providing an extra level of security. Managed IT services provide you and your staff the peace of mind of knowing your technology is taken care of.
3. Focused Knowledge
IT providers live and breathe technology. They also employ the best people in the business. This ensures that you are getting the proper knowledge and support at all times.
4. Improved Security
Security issues continue to grow, as technology becomes more critical to business function. Managed Services Providers offer regular, complete security testing to determine the effectiveness of your cybersecurity defenses and protect your business.
5. Peace of Mind
As a business owner or manager, you have enough to worry about when it comes to keeping your business functioning and profitable. Managed IT services take technology concerns off of your plate. You can rest easy knowing that IT experts are ensuring your technology works just the way you need it to, every time.
Ready to Give Managed IT Services a Try?
Technology is an integral part of your business, but that doesn’t mean that it should constantly be on your mind. A Managed Services Provider can maintain your IT integrity in the background while you focus on doing what your business set out to accomplish. Kotman Technology is a trusted technology partner that offers support, security, and strategy to each of our clients. If you are still unsure of whether managed IT services is right for your organization, we’d love to help you make that determination.
Kotman Technology has been delivering comprehensive technology solutions to clients in California and Michigan for nearly two decades. With a customer retention of over 98%, we pride ourselves on being the last technology partner you'll ever need. Contact us today to experience the Kotman Difference.