Since 2020, the managed services market has experienced unprecedented growth. The pandemic ignited a revolution in business automation, a consequence of the work-from-home paradigm shift. And this trend isn’t likely to stop anytime soon.
According to a Grand View Research study, the industry’s compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is predicted at 13.4% between 2022 and 2030. It’s clear that in the near future, businesses will have to adopt cutting-edge technologies to add value and pursue innovation.
In this article, we’ll explore the managed IT services meaning, the different types of services, and the major benefits of partnering with a competent managed service provider (MSP).
Managed IT Services Definition
Before we get started, it’s important to understand the managed IT definition. Broadly speaking, managed services encompass any task that is outsourced to a third-party company; however, the term is usually reserved for business-focused IT.
Managed services offer a host of benefits to any type of organization, from small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) to large enterprises. It’s a proven way to cost-effectively offload IT tasks of all sizes to a team of seasoned professionals.
The result is lower IT costs, reduced downtime, and improved operational efficiency. Even organizations that boast their own in-house team can leverage the power of managed services: Offloading IT management tasks frees up your internal staff to focus on projects related to your core business activities.
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MSPs and How Managed Services Work
To understand how managed services work, you need to know how a managed service provider (MSP) operates. An MSP is a business-to-business (B2B) organization that offers third-party IT services, many of which are managed remotely.
As the client, you decide which IT services your business needs. If you’re not sure, an MSP can help guide you in the process. You’ll then sign a service-level agreement (SLA). Service level agreements guarantee the quality, availability, and responsibilities of the MSP towards you, the customer.
There are three main pricing models used by MSPs, including:
Break/Fix Model
In this pricing model, you only pay for the services you use. Prices are typically based on an hourly rate but may also be a flat fee for a particular service. This model is only recommended for self-reliant organizations in need of periodic support.
Per Device Model
The per device model offers a predictable pricing structure based on the amount of devices, types of devices, and services used by your organization.
Full Stack or Per-User Model
The most comprehensive and predictable of the three pricing models, the full-stack approach involved the number of users per month. Simply put, a higher number of users means a higher cost per month.
What Kinds of IT Services Do MSPs Provide?
MSPs offer a variety of IT services to improve performance, minimize risk, and assist your organization in creating new value for customers. Some common services include:
24/7 Remote Monitoring and Management
Round-the-clock network monitoring is the best way to keep your systems safe and available, even during off-hours. MSPs offer an affordable means of supervising and managing your critical IT systems, reducing the risk of a cyberattack, data breach, or downtime event.
Helpdesk Technical Support
No issue is too small when it comes to maintaining your organization’s operational efficiency. An MSP can provide your staff with rapid-response technical support to resolve IT problems fast. The majority of large and medium sized businesses have already outsourced their help desk operations.
Infrastructure Management (IM)
One of the best ways to optimize IT performance and boost ROI is through infrastructure management. An MSP can oversee all of your organization’s information technologies to increase availability and uptime, while devising preventative strategies against disruptive events.
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR)
According to FEMA, roughly 25% of all businesses never recover from a disaster. Whether natural or man-made, the best defense against a disaster is by devising, implementing, and practicing a business continuity and disaster recovery plan (BCDRP).
Disaster recovery deals with reinstating access to infrastructure and critical data, while business continuity is primarily focused on maintaining operational status in the wake of a disaster.
What Managed Services Can Do for Your Business
Large enterprises and small business owners can all benefit from managed services. Below, we list a handful of the many advantages of partnering with an MSP.
Access to Expertise
MSPs are known for maintaining a roster of skilled and talented employees. This gives you the opportunity to effectively fill any skill gaps within your organization. Partnering with an MSP will also free up your time to focus on real business priorities.
Cost-Effective
Working alongside a reliable MSP is substantially cheaper than hiring and maintaining an in-house equivalent. What’s more, MSPs often bring their own partnerships to the table which can help you save money on hardware and software.
Seamless Scalability
Scaling up your IT operations is fast and simple with an MSP. Instead of going through the hassle of interviewing and training new employees, all it takes is a minor contract adjustment. Scaling down during leaner times is just as effortless.
Get Reliable Managed Services for Your Small or Medium-Sized Business
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Reduce Risks and Create Value With Trusted Managed IT Services
As information technologies grow increasingly sophisticated, your business may find it difficult to keep up. Partnering with a competent managed services provider is one of the best ways to ensure that you always remain competitive in your industry.
Working with a trusted MSP like cyberCSI gives you access to a wide range of managed IT services designed to support your business.
From traditional managed IT services and help desk support to audio visual and Hardware Lifecycle Services (HLS), our team has over 25 years of experience assisting businesses in Southern California with their technology needs.
Ready to spark your digital transformation? Contact us today to discover what managed services can do to help your business succeed.