As a business owner or manager, you've probably come across the term "Managed IT Services," and wondered, "What is Managed IT Services?" In an era where technology is integral to virtually every aspect of business operations, understanding this concept is crucial. Let's break it down in simple, non-technical terms.
What is managed IT services?
Managed IT Services refers to the practice of outsourcing your company's IT (Information Technology) needs to a third-party service provider. This provider, known as a Managed Services Provider (MSP), handles the responsibility of a range of IT services on a proactive basis.
This can include but is not limited to:
Network Management: This includes monitoring your business network for issues and ensuring it's secure and optimized for performance.
Data Backup and Recovery: Managed IT Services often provide solutions for backing up your data and restoring it in case of a loss.
Software and Hardware Support: MSPs manage updates, patches, and tech support for your IT hardware and software.
Cloud Services: This involves managing your business's cloud computing needs, from storage to software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions.
Cybersecurity: Managed IT Services often include proactive security measures to protect your business from cyber threats.
24/7 Monitoring and Support: MSPs continuously monitor your IT systems to catch and fix issues before they cause significant problems.
IT Onboarding & Offboarding: A select few service partners will provide full-service HR collaboration and on/offboarding support. This may include procuring hardware, assigning application access, adding new hires to email lists, etc.
Why Consider Managed IT Services?
Managed IT Services can provide numerous benefits for businesses, especially small to medium-sized businesses that may not have the resources or necessity to maintain a full-fledged IT department. Here's why it's worth considering:
Cost-Efficiency: With Managed IT Services, you get a team of IT experts at a fraction of the cost of hiring an in-house team.
Focus on Core Business: With someone else managing your IT, you and your team can focus on what you do best – running your business.
Proactive Support: MSPs don't just fix problems; they actively look for potential issues and address them before they cause downtime.
Access to Latest Technology: Managed IT Services Providers stay up-to-date with the latest technologies, ensuring that your business can leverage these advancements without having to continually invest in updating your IT infrastructure.
Scalability: As your business grows, your IT needs will change. MSPs can easily scale their services to match your evolving needs.
To sum it up, Managed IT Services is a cost-effective solution that offers businesses access to up-to-date technology and expert IT support, while freeing up internal resources to focus on core business objectives.
While Managed IT Services can be a game-changer for businesses, it's important to partner with a provider that understands your unique needs. When choosing an MSP, consider their experience, range of services, and customer support.
Pricing for Managed IT Services
One of the most common questions asked by businesses considering the switch to managed IT services is, "How much will managed it services cost?" Pricing for managed IT services can vary widely depending on the provider and the specific services you need. Different managed service providers may use different pricing models.
Some providers can offer a very attractive price but will charge high rates for services deemed to fall outside of the base terms of service. While pay-as-you-go or break-fix providers will charge per incident. In most cases where these pricing models are used, this leaves businesses in a situation where their IT budget is unpredictable and difficult to manage.
A far more attractive pricing model for it management services, is that of per-user/device pricing. Using this method, the provider charges the same per-user (or device) fee on a monthly basis, allowing IT spending to remain predictable while giving the business unrestricted access to IT technical support when it's needed.
To learn more about Weblii's transparent, per-user pricing, visit our Pricing page.
About Weblii
Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Weblii provides fast, reliable remote IT support and managed IT services to small businesses not only in Phoenix but also nationwide. We offer these services for a transparent, per-user fee, without any hidden costs. Visit our website to learn more.