When researching the market for managed IT services, it's easy to get confused by all the different types. Which one is best? Which type do you need?
What's a Managed IT Service?
If you're entirely new to the niche, a managed IT service is a company that looks after specific IT-related tasks on behalf of your business. With advanced infrastructure, all the latest tools, and experts in specialized areas, they operate under an SLA (service-level agreement). Sometimes called a managed service provider (MSP), they can manage software, keep all systems updated, take care of security matters, and lend an expert opinion whenever required.
Types of Managed IT Services
While some businesses try to offer something for everyone, others stick to a particular niche. As a result, you'll find different types of managed IT services. Here are just some examples:
Managed Security Services
With this first example, the aim is to protect clients' security systems. Consequently, it will offer the following services:
- Patch management
- Antivirus software
- Malware protection
- Security updates
- Emergency response
Patch management Antivirus software Malware protection Security updates Emergency response
With this last service, the company jumps into action if it notices irregular activity or behavior in your business (in other words, signs of a cybercriminal). By fortifying security, you're less susceptible to attacks and other security-related issues.
Managed Infrastructure Services
Elsewhere, managed infrastructure services look after your business's network. For instance, this might include storage, hosting, VPNs, and other systems. Suddenly, you don't need to invest in a data center or any similar method to manage your infrastructure since experts control it remotely.
Managed Support Services
In some cases, businesses don't want management services but like to have experts available at the other end of the phone. Without a managed support service, the only solution is to inundate the Google search engine with questions (normally, you walk away even more confused than before the research session). With a managed support service, experts in various specialist areas are available to help whenever your team struggles with a technical issue.
Ultimately, the amount of help you receive (and the amount you pay) will all depend on the SLA. With some contracts, you'll simply pay whenever you need assistance.
Managed Cloud Infrastructure Services
You've seen infrastructure services, but the cloud niche has grown so much that companies provide dedicated services in this area. For example, this includes networks, computing, storage, and operating systems that operate in the cloud. What's more, this will mean platforms, software, and databases for some businesses. With a managed cloud infrastructure service, you don't need to learn the intricacies of cloud systems because you'll have experts doing everything for you.
Managed Data Analytics Services
If you're like most businesses, you have copious amounts of data entering through all different portals and channels daily. If you're struggling to make sense of it all, use a managed data analytics service to perform this task instead. These services will collect data, analyze it, and provide actionable insights and recommendations on the other side.
By tracking your business, this service will provide insights that weren't previously accessible (without the staff and tools to find them yourself!). You'll learn about your marketing campaigns, supply chain, staffing schedules, inventory, and more.
Summary
As mentioned, these are just some of the different types of managed IT services we offer in West Palm Beach. Look deeper, and you'll also see that companies are now offering managed wireless and mobile computing services, managed print services, managed communications services, and managed SaaS (software-as-a-service) services.
When choosing between them, think about your needs and remember that some services offer multiple services to appease clients!
