If you have decided to invest in managed IT services, you’ve come to the right place. The purpose of this article is to give you an overview of the 11 most common types of managed services. This will allow you to make an informed decision as to which of these services you need. Although it would be impossible to include all the managed services in the world on one list, we can say that most of them fall into one of these 11 categories.
1. Managed Software As A Service
Most subscription-based software falls into this category. Instead of buying the program outright, you rent it as a monthly service. One upside of this method is the fact that updates, maintenance, and other such tasks will be handled automatically. This is part of the reason that such software is sold on a subscription basis in the first place. Office 365 would be a good example, as would most anti-virus programs.
2. Managed IT Support
These services focus on providing specific help when and where it is needed. A telephone helpline would definitely fall into this category. Specialized support crews that are meant for quick deployment would be another example. Managed IT support might be as simple as the employment of one or several advisors. Again, there are many examples but all of them focus on troubleshooting and problem solving on an as-needed basis.
3. Managed Security
There are all kinds of different security services and they are among the handiest of all. To have truly good security, you really do need to have 24/7 monitoring of your network. Even though certain things can be automated, there is no substitute for a competent person on guard duty. Managed security services can also monitor your files for unauthorized changes. This is also a great thing because most malware will do that kind of thing. It’s a clever catch-all detection method. Basically, any managed service that is meant to improve your security is in this category.
4. Managed Print Services
These services aren’t necessary for everyone, but organizations that do a lot of printing might find this to be helpful. Managed print services usually begin with a review of your entire printing setup. Using the information gathered from that review, they work on optimizing your entire printing process. This includes everything from hardware and software upgrades to process streamlining.
5. Managed Networks And Network Infrastructure
This service is what you use when you want to outsource the management of an entire network. Alternately, it can include the outsourcing of network infrastructure (like routers, switches, servers, etc.). There are certain advantages to the use of a totally-managed network. For instance, all data backup is automated on a regular basis.
6. Managed Cloud Infrastructure
If you want to run a cloud network without buying all the equipment that would normally be needed, this kind of service is for you. You can outsource your servers, all the storage space you might need (usually on a scalable plan), and any additional memory that might be needed.
7. Managed Cloud Services
There is a big difference between managed cloud infrastructure and managed cloud services. Where our previous section is concerned with the resources that are necessary to run a cloud network, this one is concerned with augmenting those resources with cloud-based enhancements. This usually takes the form of specialized software or extra features to existing software.
8. Managed Wireless And Mobile Computing
These services are similar to those used for managed networks, but they apply to more specific network types. For those who lack the tech resources to set up a proper wireless network or a mobile network, such services can save a lot of money. In some cases, these services are used to set up intranets among members of a particular organization.
9. Analytic Services
While most of these services are intended to provide you with extra capabilities, some of them focus on providing you with relevant information. Most of those would fall into the category of “analytic services.” For example, you might want to know exactly how many people are visiting your websites or social media pages every month. Obviously, metrics related to sales and profit are also going to be very helpful. Anything which focuses on providing you with actionable data would be classified here.
10. Virtualization Services
A virtual system is basically a cloned system, which is set up as an operating system within an operating system. When made correctly, the virtual system is completely isolated from the physical system. This allows you to conduct tests in a virtual environment that can easily be “reset” should something go wrong. This is also great for those security situations where you think you have found something suspicious but you aren’t quite sure.
11. Managed Communication Services
This category of services would include anything that is meant to facilitate communication amongst your group or organization. It might be as simple as a call center that directs people where they need to go and connects them with the right people. The purpose of this is to save time and allow people to communicate more efficiently. Voice-Over-IP, email, instant messaging, and live-streaming would all be examples of managed communication services.
Conclusion
Again, it would not be possible to list all the different managed services that are offered out there. However, the information above should give you an idea of the options you have. When choosing which of these services to employ, you will simply want to prioritize them based on the needs of your organization.
At PCH Technologies, we specialize in providing the kinds of managed IT services that keep our customers happy. We offer managed IT service plans to fit anyone’s needs. Our plans cover small business computer support, support for the largest corporations, and everything in between. If you would like to know more, please contact PCH at (856) 754-7500.