We know that there are numerous benefits and advantages of leveraging managed IT services, including cost savings, faster response times, reducing risks, maintaining compliance, and more.
As a managed service provider, we want to help consumers understand the different types of managed services that exist so that businesses can make the most informed decisions when it comes to their IT infrastructure and processes.
Continue reading to learn about the types of managed services in IT and how they can benefit your business.
Managed Services: 6 Different Types
The types of IT managed services are vast and can touch every piece of an organization’s technology environment. Business and IT leaders also have the capability to mix and match services to meet their needs, and oftentimes, opt for a fully managed IT solution where the majority of IT functions are outsourced to a managed service provider.
This blog is going to highlight 6 of the most common managed services offerings.
End User Services
End user services can cover a wide range of offerings, but they typically revolve around the IT support channels and methods an organization has in place for its employees and customers.
At the most basic level, end user services include an IT service desk or helpdesk solution where users can get technical issues resolved by a team of trained agents. Issues can range from support for mobile devices and operating systems, application installs and upgrades, connectivity errors, and other deskside IT services.
While some larger corporations have the resources to fulfill this need internally, many SMBs do not have the budget, bandwidth, or expertise, and therefore choose to outsource their support desk to a managed service provider. This allows their IT teams to shift their focus to more important, revenue-generating projects and also provides an iron-clad service level agreement to improve the user experience.
As technology – and end user expectations – continue to advance, many businesses are incorporating technology such as IT automation, Desktop as a Service, BYOD policies, and more.
Infrastructure Support
When assessing the types of managed services on the market, managed infrastructure services is one to focus on. Think of IT infrastructure as the heartbeat of any business; as day-to-day business processes and critical functions become increasingly digitized, the infrastructure responsible for facilitating them must be operating at peak efficiency.
As many different components make up “IT infrastructure”, naturally, managed service offerings for infrastructure span across multiple categories. From a high level, common services include managed networks, network security, managed print services, and more. Services under these larger categories could consist of firewall solutions, data backups, reporting and data analytics, and more.
On-site Services
On-site IT services – often referred to as managed field services – involve a managed service provider dispatching technicians to a specified location to perform a variety of IT tasks, which could include installing or repairing equipment, cabling or wireless projects, site surveys, and much more.
When leveraging a managed service provider for on-site IT services, the provider will typically manage each engagement from start to finish. The result is a much more streamlined process, as the provider is responsible for scheduling and dispatching techs, managing tickets and work orders, and providing communication once the task is complete.
Whether you are supporting remote offices or multiple branch locations, the expertise of a local technician can go a long way in solving IT issues and increasing end user satisfaction. Learn more about the benefits of on-site IT services and support.
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Cloud Services
Cloud services are becoming a necessity for businesses wanting to remain competitive in today’s ever-changing business and IT landscape. With cloud based services, organizations can easily accommodate new business growth by scaling their services, create a more predictable IT budget, and more. Because the cloud is an on-demand, web-based service that provides file sharing, data storage, and secure remote access to a company’s network, employees can be productive from virtually anywhere.
When partnering with a managed cloud service provider, the provider will often supply and oversee servers that host specified data. These cloud servers also act as a data center for backup and disaster recovery initiatives. Not only does this improve IT security, but also reduces spend related to traditional on-premise infrastructure.
Cloud computing services can include consulting, assessments, migrations, and more.
Security Services
The use of malware increased by 358% through 2020, and ransomware usage increased by 435% compared to the previous year, according to a study by Deep Instinct. These figures are only going to increase as cybercriminals become more sophisticated. Knowing this, managed security services are undoubtedly becoming a critical element all organizations should be investing in.
Organizations that partner with a managed security service provider (MSSP) will receive real-time, validated alerts should a data breach or other security incident occur. However, the likelihood of a catastrophic security event is drastically reduced when leveraging an MSSP’s expertise, as they will mitigate risk through proactive security measures like managed detection and response, threat hunting, email security services, and security awareness training.
Technology Support
Yet another type of managed service is that of technology support. This support could come in the form of a project, such as a large SharePoint build or Teams deployment, technology assessment, or ongoing technical support for business applications.
If a business does not have the skill or bandwidth to complete a critical IT project, it could benefit from partnering with a managed service provider for resource support and technical expertise. Additionally, a reputable service provider will have an established methodology and can provide a project timeline and budget outline to ensure the project is completed on time and within budget.
Selecting the Right Types of Managed Services for Your Business
As you can see, there are several types of managed IT services to choose from, as well as countless providers to partner with.
If you’re overwhelmed by the different types of IT managed services and unsure about which ones are right for your business, Buchanan can help. Our team takes a consultative approach and spends the time getting to know your IT environment, people, and processes. The result is a holistic, customized managed IT solution that will reduce the burden on your staff, offer a greater level of service, and help you achieve your IT goals.
If your organization could benefit from managed services, contact us today.
