If you’re like most people, you probably aren’t a serious IT expert. Those are highly specialized skills that can sometimes require years of training, and it isn’t always easy to find people like that. Due to the huge growth of the internet within the last two decades, the need for competent IT services keeps skyrocketing. With every year, more and more people go into the field but it isn’t enough to keep up with the demand. In response to this, many companies have begun offering third-party IT services which are usually referred to as “managed services.” This term covers a lot of different things so let’s try to define it more clearly.
What Are Managed IT Services?
These are specific services provided by companies on a subscription basis. The client pays a monthly fee that encompasses all the services they receive. This can be many things, from database management to cloud backup to cybersecurity services. Every managed IT services plan is uniquely tailored for each client based on their needs.
In general, this is a way for companies to outsource their IT needs to third-party companies that are focused on IT specifically. This is a more practical way for a smaller pool of experts to service a larger number of companies, ensuring that all of them get the best people with the best tools. Some companies offer on-demand IT services in which you are billed on a per-job basis, but that really isn’t the same thing because there is no real “management” to that system.
Types Of Managed IT Services
To give you a better idea of the options that exist, let’s go over some of the most common types of managed IT services:
- Managed Networks And/Or Servers: Subscribers gain access to a managed network, which might be a cloud network or any other specialized type. If the subscriber prefers to host a private network, managed service providers can give them the server space they need.
- Managed Security Services: This includes things like network monitoring, incident response, and tactical backup services. It may also include threat hunting and penetration testing for companies that really need a higher level of security.
- Managed Support Services: When a member of your organization has a technical problem, it can cause serious delays and affect their ability to do their jobs. Managed support companies take care of all that support in one bundled service.
- Managed Data Services: The management of large databases can be a serious hassle, so some companies also choose to outsource those services. Record-keeping and maintenance of those records is another routine task that might be delegated to a trusted service provider.
- Software-As-A-Service (SAAS): In addition to various types of help, some of these companies also grant subscribers access to proprietary software. This is great for companies using a co-managed approach because it increases the effectiveness of their in-house team.
- Managed Print Services: If your business does an exceptionally large amount of printing, it might also make sense to outsource those services. Companies do this to save on the costs of toner, ink, paper, and labor.
Why Companies Employ Managed Services
There are many reasons why companies choose to employ third-party service providers. A lot of it comes down to the specialized nature of IT work. While most people know how to use a computer, relatively few can call themselves true experts. Sure, there are a lot of well-educated people out there, but their numbers are quite small when compared to the rest of the population.
Because of this, there is no way that every organization can expect to find and hire top-level IT talent. There simply isn’t enough to go around. Managed IT services provide a way for those top-level people to serve a larger number of people. It’s good for them because they get more work and more pay. It’s good for the client because they get the best service without paying a ridiculously high price.
Managed IT services are most viable for small and medium-sized businesses, as these companies seldom have the resources to do things on their own dime. If they do, they will probably have to settle for lower-tier IT people who won’t provide the same level of service, security, or expertise.
Managed Services Vs. On-Demand Services
The problem with on-demand services is the fact that they rely on a “break-fix” model. That is to say, you wait for something to break and then hire someone to fix that problem. This can result in costly downtime and is really inconvenient. The whole idea of managed services is to have something that will prevent problems rather than simply putting out fires.
Besides that, on-demand services can get really expensive for those with extensive IT needs. If your company relies upon its IT structure even more than most, these companies are going to take you for a ride. By the time they add up every little task they perform for you, you’re going to end up paying a lot more.
The Cost Of Hardware And Software
Apart from the difficulty of finding the right people, many companies just can’t afford the infrastructure that is needed for top-level IT management. Even the best carpenter cannot build a house without the proper tools, and both hardware and software can become obsolete quickly. This is another reason for the continued popularity of managed IT services. Dedicated IT companies will tend to have much higher-quality tools and that tends to make for better results.
Conclusion
PCH Technologies has a large number of managed IT service plans from which you can choose, and they can always be reached at (856) 754-7500. All of their managed IT services plans are custom-tailored for each client and backed by a service-level agreement to guarantee the results. If you need one company that can handle all of your IT needs, PCH is easily one of the best we have seen.