87% of business executives believe that digital technologies and trends will disrupt their industries, yet only 44% feel that their companies are prepared for such an impact.
Many such companies choose managed services providers instead of managing their IT in-house. Using an MSP makes this digital transformation easier, less stressful and more efficient.
Businesses also turn to managed IT services to help them with the often overwhelming task of managing their always-increasing number of connected devices and cloud technology. Business owners are seeking ways to improve efficiency and reduce costs, and using managed services can help meet these goals.
Managed services providers offer a variety of service plans, which can be adapted for small start-ups all the way up to enterprise corporations. These services are not one-size-fits-all. When deciding between managed services vs. professional services, it’s important to understand your company’s needs and develop an IT strategy that fits.
There are several key distinctions between managed services and professional services. Which type of IT support you choose will depend on your business goals, in-house IT capabilities and also which IT issues you are seeking to address.
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Managed IT Services
Managed services are designed to meet the needs of businesses that do not necessarily have an in-house IT team, yet still require IT services regularly.
Instead of spending the money to employ full-time IT staff, a business can make the most of its budget by using a managed services provider to handle its IT infrastructure.
Everyday IT Support
Managed services offer the comprehensive 24/7 IT support that many businesses need.
70% of companies are working on digital transformation initiatives.
These initiatives include using:
- Data Analytics
- Cloud Migration
- Automating Daily Processes
- Training Employees Online
- And More
Due to the growth of their technology needs, many companies now require everyday tech support, maintenance and monitoring.
Managed services enable you to focus on growing your business, while outsourcing your IT needs to a trusted and experienced provider.
Ongoing Maintenance & Monitoring
MSPs provide consistent services including routine network maintenance and monitoring to keep your systems running smoothly.
Regular maintenance is done during off-times, so it doesn’t affect your productivity. Network monitoring finds and addresses IT issues preemptively.
Employee Training
Managed services may also include employee training.
Lack of employee knowledge is often a stumbling block for businesses adopting new technologies, and it is essential that your team is educated and encouraged.
The implementation/adoption process is much easier when employees know how to use the technology to their advantage and understand the benefits it provides.
Cybersecurity
Managed services providers offer advanced cybersecurity to help keep your network safe from threats.
State-of-the-art cyber protection keeps your essential data secure, while still enabling employees to access it easily. Managed cybersecurity services also help you comply with industry regulations and avoid penalties.
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Data Backup and Disaster Recovery
A disaster such as fire, flood, server failure, etc. can be catastrophic for a business.
MSPs provide secure data backups, so your business can recover and get back to normal as quickly as possible. This protection ensures that you will always remain prepared for unexpected situations instead of losing everything.
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Managed Services Overview |
Why Use Managed Services? |
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Benefits of Choosing Managed Services vs. Professional Services
Built-in Scalability
Using managed services ensures that your business is set up for long term IT stability and success.
You have all your needs covered as the business grows, instead of searching for solutions as problems arise. Managed services are designed with long term growth in mind, and often include IT strategy and expert consulting.
Predictable Costs
One of the biggest selling points of managed services is having a predictable cost structure and being able to easily plan and manage your expenses.
You know in advance which services you are paying for, and you won’t face nasty hidden costs. Service expectations and deliverables are laid out in a contract, which can be updated if your needs change over time.
Reduced Downtime
Regular maintenance and constant monitoring ensure that the majority of IT problems are caught before they have a chance to disrupt your workflow.
Instead of waiting until a hacker attacks, or a server goes down, and then frantically trying to fix an escalating problem, these issues are dealt with proactively. System monitoring, advanced cybersecurity and data backups keep your business running smoothly and reduce lost work time due to tech problems.
Professional IT Services
Some small and medium-sized businesses do not require ongoing IT services.
If the business relies heavily on legacy systems, or has very simple IT needs, the business owner may decide occasional professional services are sufficient. These types of services are used on an as-needed basis, and may also be referred to as break/fix services. This means the business generally waits until they encounter an IT problem, and then calls a professional services provider to rectify the issue.
Project-Oriented IT Support
If you have a short term IT project with very clear parameters, such as a new technology deployment, professional services can help your business complete the project.
These services are designed for specific challenges, so keep in mind that once the project is finished the IT company will no longer be providing support.
Consulting
If you have an IT issue that you need advice on, or you wish to consult about developing an IT strategy, professional services can help.
The IT company will discuss your needs and goals, and then you can decide if you want your business to manage the issue in-house, or if you require further outsourced IT services.
Troubleshooting
The most common reason businesses call upon a professional services company is when they are having trouble with their IT.
A professional services team will help them troubleshoot issues with their devices or network, data loss, server failure and so on. The downside is that many IT issues are more complicated than they appear, and end up costing a lot more than initially expected.
Another common downside is since issues are being dealt with after the fact, instead of being prevented beforehand, they are often much more serious.
These issues then require more complicated fixes, and late-stage consequences like data loss may be unavoidable.
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Professional Services Overview |
Why Use Professional Services? |
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Benefits of Choosing Professional Services vs. Managed Services
Tighter Control
If you want complete control over your IT project management and professional services seem sufficient, you may choose not to go for more comprehensive managed services.
Some business owners do not like handing the reins to an external IT company to manage their projects. If you want to approve details in advance and take on the extra work of managing projects yourself, you may choose professional services.
One-Time Cost
If you want IT help with a clearly defined dedicated project, you can use professional services to avoid recurring monthly fees.
The issue that many businesses face, however, is cost creep. It is easy to underestimate the time and effort needed to resolve an IT issue, or complete a project. Since there is no contract, the charges can add up quickly. It is often difficult, complicated and costly to address problems after they have presented themselves, as opposed to taking preventative measures.
Managed Services vs. Professional Services: What Do I Need?
If you’re unsure which type of service plan would provide the most value for your business, we can help.
CalTech is a Managed Service Provider offering comprehensive IT support and services tailored for small, medium and large businesses. We have over 30 years of industry experience, and are endorsed by major banking associations.
As a full-service provider for all IT services, we aim to save businesses time, money and hassle by consolidating all their needs to a single vendor. If you would like to learn more about our services, or discuss your options, please contact us for a free consultation where we can discover your IT needs together.
