How Are Managed IT Services Structured?

Upon Googling the term “Managed Services,” I was directed to a definition from Wikipedia. According to the wiki page, “Managed services is the practice of transferring day-to-day related management responsibility as a strategic method for improved effective and efficient operations inclusive of Production Support and lifecycle build/maintenance activities.”

To be honest, this definition is a little overdone. Basically, when you use a managed services provider (MSP), you are moving internal responsibilities to an external service provider.  Usually a MSP is an information technology (IT) services provider. So how are managed IT services structured?

Most IT solutions providers that offer managed services will bundle services. Common services include:

• Network Management
• System Monitoring
• Security
• Storage and Backup
• Hardware Instillation and Removal

IT providers can also provide value added services such as:

• Cloud Computing
• Telephone/VoIP services
• Videoconferencing
• Web Design

So what is the benefit of using an MSP? Efficiency

Managed services let organizations choose the level of service appropriate for their business needs, while being flexible in terms of scheduling and budget. Plus, MSPs provide the organization with a broader knowledge base and higher level of support as opposed to having a dedicated in-house employee.

For more information on using an MSP, download our FREE e-book “Top 5 Reasons SMBs Outsource IT.”