10 Services A Managed IT Services IT Company Can Offer

Common examples of managed IT services include help desk support, network management, cybersecurity (such as managed SOC, SIEM and detection and response), backup and disaster recovery, cloud management, Microsoft 365 administration, IT consulting and planning, communication systems such as email and VoIP, data analytics, and hardware procurement and support. A business can outsource all of these to a managed service provider or pick only the ones it needs. IS&T provides managed IT, cybersecurity, cloud and help desk services for Houston businesses.

Wondering which managed services you actually need? Ask IS&T.

Businesses throughout all industries have turned to outsourcing for a range of business services, not the least of which is information technology (IT). With managed IT services, your IT infrastructure can be managed by a third-party provider so your internal team members can focus on other business responsibilities. If your organization is venturing into IT services for the first time, it can be confusing to know the difference between the many varieties of services available as well as which managed services you need.

Here, we’ll explore the ins and outs of managed services, including what they are, the benefits your business can get from them, and 10 types of services you might consider receiving from a managed services provider (MSP) in your area.

By outsourcing IT maintenance and management to a managed IT services provider, your business is allowing a third-party vendor to handle technology-based things related to your IT infrastructure, including hardware, software, cloud applications, network management, and more. What the provider takes care of is up to you and depends on the service offerings of the provider as well as the details in the service-level agreement (SLA) that you come up with alongside the MSP. You can opt to have the provider fully manage your IT or only take over specific IT tasks related to your organization’s individual IT needs. IT providers can do everything from helping to manage daily IT operations to the planning and design of things like your network and cybersecurity practices.

Benefits of Managed IT Services

Having a third party help manage your IT systems and infrastructure comes with many benefits. In addition to having the expertise and IT support of professionals, companies that enact IT solutions with MSPs can expect:

Reduce IT spending
The ability to leverage expert knowledge and experience
Dependable service
Better IT performance and processes
More freedom for an internal IT team to focus on long-term goals and growth

Why Are Managed Service Types Important?

Most businesses do not need every managed service. They need the right three or four, done well.

If you’re considering looking into IT service providers for your company, it’s important to understand the different types of managed services available to you. From cloud services to help desk services, there are a variety of products and solutions available from MSPs.

10 Types of Managed Services

Below are just 10 types of managed services that a provider might offer, but keep in mind that every IT partner is different, so ask all potential vendors for their full list of services.

1. Network Infrastructure

For nearly all modern organizations, networks are the backbone of everything from daily office operations to customers’ experiences of interacting with businesses via the internet. Depending on what industry your business operates in, the business model you have, and the size of your company, having IT experts to help take responsibility for network management, maintenance, and upgrades can be extremely helpful. MSPs often offer their clients a range of network services so they can meet the business needs of a variety of customers.

2. Cybersecurity

A key element of successful IT management is ensuring technologies of all kinds are secure against cyber threats like hackers, malware, ransomware, and more. An experienced IT service provider can help keep your infrastructure safe from these problems by implementing security tools, ensuring updates are carried out as needed, and helping to proactively identify a problem before it negatively impacts your business functionality. The efforts of managed service providers can help your business have more uptime.

Managed Security Services May Include:

Anti-malware
Anti-virus
Anti-spam
Network security monitoring
Penetration Testing
Firewall
Virtual private network (VPN)
Intrusion detection and documentation
Training teams on skills such as safe online practices
Incident reporting and analysis

3. Support Services

One commonly requested solution for many businesses is general IT support services, such as help desk support. This approach to IT management is a lower-cost alternative to having an in-house IT team and can offer users access to the help of IT professionals for issues like desktop computer problems, mobile device management, technical questions, and more. This support is often offered remotely and can be very helpful for small to medium-sized businesses.

4. IT Consulting

For businesses that don’t have IT teams, IT consulting from an MSP can be a great way to identify IT challenges, assess business goals, and ensure that the business’s IT solutions, administration, and implementation are up to par to achieve those goals.

5. Cloud Infrastructure

Cloud computing is in demand now more than ever before. Many businesses have cloud-based technology solutions to store data, execute business operations, and more. Employees can access their business systems and resources from mobile devices and home computers. A technology services provider like an MSP can help implement a new cloud infrastructure or update your existing system.

6. Software as a Service (SaaS)

Managed software as a service is another common offering from MSPs that many businesses find helpful. If you use software subscription services such as Microsoft Office 365 or something similar, an MSP can help negotiate your subscription contract, ensure all of the components are configured correctly, execute upgrades, and help troubleshoot issues.

7. Communication Services

Managing your business’s communication services can be a big job. That’s why many businesses choose to have their communications managed by an MSP. Communication technologies include a combination of everything from standard phone systems to virtual communication software, such as Zoom or Teams.

Managed Communication Services May Include:

Email application management
Phonelines, VoIP, etc.
Video conferencing platform management
File sharing platforms
Instant messaging
Virtual space connectivity

8. Data Backup & Disaster Recovery

Being prepared for cyber security breaches and natural disasters is paramount to any business. All organizations are at risk of experiencing any number of data loss incidents, regardless of what business they operate in or how large or small their staff is. Downtime can greatly impact a business’s financial bottom line and reputation, so it’s essential to have a plan in place for backing up data and restoring it in the event of an incident.

9. Data Analytics

Data is one of the most powerful tools a business has, but utilizing it correctly can be difficult if you’re not experienced in data analytics. An IT provider can help you collect, analyze, store, and secure client data so you can use it to your advantage. Data management is often boiled down to storage. However, don’t underestimate the positive impact that data analytics can have on your business.

10. Equipment Services

Whether you’re simply looking for an IT contact to provide recommendations for the best equipment to purchase or you’re hoping to find an IT partner who can manage the installation, management, and support of your equipment, consider working with a managed services provider. They are experienced with a variety of equipment types and brands and often have relationships with manufacturers to get their customers the best pricing on popular equipment, including servers, computers, mobile devices, tablets, printers, and more.

Managed IT services at a glance

Service	What the provider handles
Network infrastructure	Design, monitoring, maintenance and upgrades
Cybersecurity	Firewalls, endpoint protection, monitoring and incident response
Help desk support	User support by phone, email and chat
IT consulting	Planning, budgeting and technology roadmaps
Cloud infrastructure	Migration to and management of cloud services
SaaS management	Licenses, setup and administration for apps such as Microsoft 365
Communications	Email, VoIP and video conferencing
Backup and disaster recovery	Backups, restore testing and recovery
Data analytics	Collecting, securing and reporting on business data
Equipment services	Buying, setting up and supporting hardware

How to Choose the Right Managed Service Type

Start with what breaks most often, or costs the most when it breaks.

Below are some tips for choosing the managed service type that’s right for your business:

Identify Current Services – Before you can determine what you need, you need to know what you already have. Make a list of your current IT infrastructure components, including everything from equipment to cloud services.
Identify Improvements – Once you’ve determined what you have, look at where improvements can be made and where costs can be cut or spending can be optimized. This can be a daunting process, so remember that many MSPs offer IT consultation to help with this part of the process.
Know Your Budget – Money management is important for every business. A big step in the process of choosing what types of managed services your business invests in is budgeting, getting quotes from providers, and comparing the benefits of those services versus their costs.
Meet with IT Providers – Meet with IT professionals to help identify the best possible services and packages for your business based on your findings and their recommendations.

Explore IS&T’s managed IT services, help desk, cybersecurity, cloud services and backup and disaster recovery, or read our managed services FAQs.

Tell IS&T what your team handles today, and we will recommend the managed services that would make the biggest difference.

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