In the world of IT Managed IT Services can mean several different things. For some companies the term is used in reference to a specific department that oversees a group or division within an organization. Other businesses use the phrase more loosely and refer to any department that performs a given function within the company. In either case, for the vast majority of companies managed IT services aren’t synonymous with one particular department.
Managed IT Services, give a company a single point of contact for its entire IT infrastructure. Whether you see the term employed within a narrow context that refers only to a single department or one that encompasses the entirety of a company IT network, chances are you’ve come across this term at least once before. And whether or not you’re using the term “MSP” is a different matter entirely; depending on the scope of your business you might need IT support from more than one provider. So when looking for a managed support provider for your organization you should be looking for a provider who can provide a full range of IT services.
A managed IT service provider offering a full range of technical solutions, including routine maintenance, installation, upgrading, backups and installation, will differ greatly from those providers who focus solely on software and hardware upgrades or only provide updates on a regular basis. The difference between these two different types of managed IT services providers is fairly simple. With Technical Action Group Managed IT services offering more than simply software and hardware upgrades you should expect the following services from them: regular monitoring of the servers the business uses to connect to the IT network and servers, and access to the servers for maintenance purposes. These services should be expected at all times, whether you’re using a managed IT service provider to outsource these services or if you conduct the majority of your own IT maintenance.
When it comes to choosing an IT service company to provide these regular maintenance services, many small businesses feel intimidated by this aspect of managing their own IT infrastructure, which is not a problem. The fact is, though, that it’s very important to choose a managed IT service provider who can monitor and manage your servers, routers, switches and other important technologies. If these are maintained by a professional technical team they can be more efficient and effective in providing your company with its extended IT support. A good technical action group will also have the expertise necessary to understand any security vulnerabilities on your company’s systems may have, as well as being able to patch any problems quickly and efficiently. Lastly, a managed IT service provider offering a full range of long-term services (such as regular server maintenance) should also have the skills necessary to deal with any potential problems which may arise in the future.
The question of whether or not you should use a managed support service provider is something which only you can answer based upon your own circumstances. For most small companies it’s probably not a cost-effective decision, though, and it will depend entirely on what kind of help you need. Some IT service providers offer several different levels of technical support – basic, intermediate and advanced. Many companies think that there is a lot of difference between these levels, but in reality there’s very little difference at all. In fact, many small businesses who’ve used IT technical support services over the years are surprised to learn that there’s no difference at all in the level of support offered by their chosen provider.
For most businesses it makes a lot of sense to choose a managed services provider that offers a full range of managed services from basic to advance. If a technical support provider only provides basic services they won’t be able to provide the support you need if you need it, and won’t be very helpful to your business. On the other hand, if an IT service provider offers a full range of managed services they will have the ability to quickly respond to any problems your business has, which is essential for maintaining a successful business. In the end you’ll be the one who decides which option is best for your needs, so take some time to consider what your options are and then choose the service provider that offers the most value for money.