Are you sick of computer failures, constant worry about computer viruses, or feeling lost trying to manage your business’s technology?
When IT fails during your work hours, you lose both time and money. Many businesses find themselves struggling on an almost daily basis to control their technology. Managed IT services offer you a solution to this continuous struggle.
With Managed IT services, the focus is no longer on having to repair items after they fail in the workplace but rather on providing proactive measures that enhance the performance and safety of your IT equipment.
So, what do you know about managed services? Managed service is what enables businesses to turn all their IT needs over to a single vendor, often called a Managed Service Provider (MSP). The MSP will handle everything (through a single monthly fee) required by your business to ensure an efficient and functional IT operation.
What does managed IT mean for your company? Less down time due to IT equipment issues. Increase security from outside threats. More time to do what you do best – grow your business.
At Intrigue IT Solutions, we provide the tools necessary to make your IT infrastructure easier and safer to manage. With our proactive managed services program, we can turn your technology from an ongoing frustration into a valuable asset for your company.
To use technology to help your business grow, you need to know what managed IT services are. Let’s talk about what it means in simple, useful terms.
What are managed IT services? A Managed Service Provider (MSP) is a third-party expert who takes care of your business’s IT needs. This provider takes care of, watches over, and fixes all of your IT systems, including computers, servers, networks, and software, for a set monthly fee. It’s like having a whole team of IT pros on call, but without having to pay a lot to hire them.
It’s a change in strategy from fixing problems after they happen to managing IT in a way that stops them from happening in the first place. This helps businesses grow.
Practically speaking, when you use managed IT services, there is someone that is responsible for ensuring that your technology functions properly at all times. Instead of having to rely on either you or your employees to diagnose and troubleshoot problems with their computers and other devices, an MSP (Managed Service Provider) performs everything behind the scenes: they –
Essentially, it is a complete package that gives customers total peace of mind about their technology requirements and the reliability of their computer systems.
For growing businesses, managed IT services provide a strategic partner who is committed to helping you succeed as your business grows. Your business continues to grow and therefore so do your requirements for technology.
A managed service provider offers scalable solutions that can grow along with your business; through their solutions, you will have access to enterprise-level equipment and expert advice that you probably would not otherwise be able to afford, which puts you on the same playing field as larger organizations and help you operate more efficiently while adapting to the new demand that technology will create for your organization.
Using Managed Services offers companies the same competitive advantage larger companies enjoy by being able to operate more efficiently and adapt to new technologies more quickly.
Managed services take care of a lot of important IT tasks. The goal is to get your business to stop reacting to problems and start using a proactive strategy that keeps you ahead of them.
In the “break/fix” model, you only call IT when something goes wrong. This reactive method often results in longer downtime and higher unexpected costs.
The main goal of managed services is to stop problems before they happen. An MSP works all the time to keep your systems in good shape so that problems don’t happen that could hurt your business.
|
Feature |
Proactive Managed Services |
Reactive (Break/Fix) Support |
|
Approach |
Prevents problems before they occur |
Fixes problems after they happen |
|
Cost |
Predictable monthly fee |
Unpredictable, hourly rates |
|
Downtime |
Minimized through continuous monitoring |
Frequent and often lengthy |
|
Goal |
Maintain system health and stability |
Repair broken components |
|
Relationship |
Strategic, long-term partnership |
Transactional, on-demand |
Your IT Service Provider (MSP) continuously monitors your IT environment by using advanced monitoring/alerting tools 24/7. This way they can identify issues before they develop into larger problems (e.g., a hard-drive failure, security holes, etc.).
Regular maintenance (applying software updates/patches) is automatically performed to maintain system security and work at an optimal level.
Managed IT services use a mix of powerful tools and expert human help to make sure that technology management goes smoothly and works well.
Remote Monitoring & Management (RMM)Managed services are built on RMM. It’s a software platform that lets your MSP keep an eye on and control all the devices on your network from a distance.
Technicians can use a central dashboard to install software, run updates, find and fix problems, and more without having to be there in person. This lets us give you quick, helpful support with the least amount of trouble for your team.
Help Desk & User SupportYour workers need help quickly and in a friendly way when they have a technical issue. Managed IT services come with a help desk that your team can reach by phone, email, or a support portal.
If your staff needs help with a forgotten password, a software bug, or a printer problem, expert technicians are always available to help them get back to work.
Preventative Maintenance“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This is how managed IT thinks about preventative maintenance. Your MSP plans and carries out regular tasks to keep your systems in good shape.
This includes checking for security holes, cleaning up temporary files, making sure backups are safe, and speeding up the system. This kind of care lowers the chance of things going wrong unexpectedly.
Vendor & Software ManagementIt can be hard to deal with more than one technology vendor for hardware, software, and the internet. Your MSP can be the only person you need to talk to about all of your technology vendors.
Your MSP will handle all the communication and problem-solving if there is a problem with your internet service or a software program. This will save you time and stress.
An all-inclusive managed IT service agreement is composed of the many elements that provide your organization with a safe, dependable, and productive technology-based environment.
Your infrastructure is the basis for conducting business activities. An Infrastructure Implementation contractor supports all components of your infrastructure, including Routers, Switches, Firewalls, and Wireless Access points.
The Infrastructure Implementation Contractor makes sure that your infrastructure is functioning properly, therefore the Infrastructure Implementation Contractor provides you with fast, dependable infrastructure, enabling your team easy access to the data and applications that they need.
Cyber Security is no longer a choice in the updated world. Managed Services providers utilize a multi-layered security solution to keep your organisation free from malware, ransomware, phishing, and other cyber threats.
Some of the ways that Managed services providers help secure the data in the organisztion via Cyber Security are through the use of Firewalls, Antivirus management, and Anti-Malware management/Anti-Virus software, as well as filtering junk e-mail and spam, and educating your personnel through training to identify what constitutes a cyber security risk.
If a natural disaster, cyberattack, or hardware failure wiped out all of your business’s data, what would happen? A managed service provider puts in place a strong backup and disaster recovery (BDR) plan for your data.
Your important data is backed up on a regular basis to a safe place outside of your office. Your MSP can quickly restore your data and systems in the event of a disaster, making sure that your business keeps running.
A lot of companies use cloud platforms like Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Azure these days. An MSP helps you take care of and improve these places.
They can help you move your data to the cloud, keep track of user accounts and licenses, make sure your cloud data is safe, and seamlessly integrate these platforms into your workflow to make you more productive.
It’s very important for your business to follow the rules if it works in an industry with strict data rules, like healthcare or finance. An MSP can help you meet these needs.
They make sure your business follows rules like HIPAA or PCI DSS by putting in place security measures, making reports, and doing risk assessments. This keeps you safe from fines and penalties.
Although there are some differences among different managed IT service providers, most of the more comprehensive plans will provide the same basic set of services and capabilities to address your technology needs.
24/7 MonitoringWhile your business might close at 5 PM, cyber threats and system failures don’t work on the same schedule. And therefore, 24/7/365 monitoring is one of the key elements of managed IT service.
Your service provider has automated systems that constantly monitor for any signs of failure or other issues related to your systems and infrastructure.
This constant surveillance allows for real-time alerts and fast response times — often resolving issues before you even know about them.
Endpoint & Device ManagementAn endpoint is any type of device that connects to your organization’s network, including, but not limited to, desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets. All endpoints are vulnerable to security attacks, so all endpoints must be properly managed, monitored, and secured by your managed service provider.
In addition to managing and maintaining the security of all devices attached to your network, your managed service provider will also ensure that every device utilized within your organization has the most up-to-date security applications loaded on it, is configured correctly, and meets the standards imposed by your organization.
Virtual CIO & IT StrategyA Virtual Chief Information Officer (vCIO) gives high-level strategic advice without the need for a full-time executive. This service is very important for high-end managed IT plans.
Your vCIO will help you figure out what your business goals are and then make a technology roadmap to help you reach them. They help you stay ahead of the competition by helping you with IT budgeting, forecasting, and making strategic decisions.
The company that provides managed IT services is called a Managed Service Provider (MSP). You can think of them as your IT department that you hire out and your strategic technology partner.
MSP DefinitionA Managed Service Provider (MSP) is a business that manages a customer’s IT infrastructure and end-user systems from a distance. Companies pay an MSP a set monthly fee to keep an eye on, manage, and fix problems with their IT systems.
The Role of an MSP in Business OperationsA managed service provider (MSP) makes sure that a business’s technology works well, quickly, and safely. They take care of the IT work that needs to be done every day so that the business can focus on what it does best.
This includes everything from helping employees with their questions at the help desk to keeping the whole company safe from a major data breach. They are in charge of keeping your IT healthy and running well.
How an MSP Becomes a Long-Term PartnerA good MSP doesn’t just fix things; they become a real partner who wants you to succeed. They make this relationship by:
When choosing an IT service provider for your company, it’s essential to learn about the differences between managed services and the old-school break/fix method.
The break-fix approach to IT service is called “reactive” support. You will only pay for support when your system or equipment is broken and requires repair.
Though this type of support may seem less expensive than other options, it frequently results in more expensive total costs because of prolonged downtime, decreased efficiency, and expensive emergency repairs.
Since break-fix service providers do not make money if your systems are running well, they do not have an interest in preventing your systems from being inoperable.
Aspect | Managed IT Services | Traditional Break/Fix IT |
Payment Structure | Flat, predictable monthly fee | Unpredictable, hourly rate + parts |
Budgeting | Easy to budget for IT expenses | Difficult to predict and budget |
Incentive | Aligned with your success; paid to prevent downtime | Profited from your problems and downtime |
Total Cost | Lower total cost of ownership over time | Higher costs due to downtime and emergencies |
With managed services, the MSP has a reason to lower your risk and downtime because their business depends on your systems staying up and running. They take steps to keep your environment from having problems. Your risk is much higher in the break/fix model.
If you don’t fix small problems, they can turn into big ones that cause a lot of downtime while you wait for a technician to come and figure out what’s wrong.
There are many strong reasons why businesses look to managed IT services to impact their bottom line, improve security and be able to expand.
Knowing exactly what you’re going to pay for IT services each month gives you peace of mind and makes it easy to manage cash flow by developing a budget based on fixed, recurring monthly IT service fees rather than unexpected bills for emergency repairs or unplanned capital expenditures.
This provides the ability to plan for future expenditures more efficiently, which allows you to execute on your long-term strategic financial plans.
Using proactive monitoring and maintenance processes enables you to identify and fix problems before they can cause your systems to be offline. When your systems are up and running, your employees are able to work and provide your customers with uninterrupted service.
The security tools and expertise that MSPs have access to are usually only available to large corporations. By implementing a layered security approach, MSPs can assist small companies in staying safe from the constantly changing cyber threat landscape, thereby protecting sensitive data from compromise.
It costs a lot of money to hire a whole team of IT professionals who are experts in networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and other areas. With an MSP, you can hire a lot of certified professionals for a lot less money. You can get this help whenever you need it.
Your IT needs will change as your business grows. An MSP can easily change the size of your services to fit your needs. Your MSP partner can help you grow without any problems, whether you’re hiring new people, opening a new office, or using new technologies.
Managed IT services can cost a lot of different things, but knowing how the prices work and what goes into them can help you find a plan that works for you and your budget.
MSPs typically use one of several pricing models:
Pricing Model | Best For | Pros | Cons |
Per-User | Businesses with multiple devices per employee | Easy to budget, scales with staff | Can be costly if users have few devices |
Per-Device | Businesses with more devices than users | Granular cost control | Can become complex to track |
Tiered | Businesses wanting to choose their service level | Flexible options, clear service levels | Basic tiers may lack essential services |
All-Inclusive | Businesses wanting total IT peace of mind | Maximum predictability, comprehensive coverage | Highest upfront cost |
There are a number of things that will affect the final price of your managed services plan:
Although there are monthly costs associated with managed IT services, the return on investment (ROI) can be very high. The value in managed IT services includes:
Managed services can be very helpful, but how do you know if they’re the right choice for your business? There are clear signs and types of businesses that are good indicators.
If you are having any of the following problems, it is a good sign that you could use managed IT services:
While any business can benefit from an MSP, some industries find it particularly valuable:
Mid-sized companies (with 51 to 250 employees): Typically either do not have a lot of experienced IT staff or have IT staff overloaded with everyday IT operations. In this case, a managed service provider (MSP) can work with the internal IT department to jointly manage the IT operations by taking care of all of the day-to-day operations and setting the internal IT team free to work toward long-term strategic projects.
The selection of an MSP is an important decision. At Intrigue IT Solutions, we do more than just give you technology; we help you make the best of your technology.
The best IT Support is Proactive. Our security-first strategy means we will help protect your business from being affected; therefore, we take great care in establishing multiple layers of security to protect your data and your people as well as protect your company reputation.
If you have an issue, you will speak with a friendly, knowledgeable technician who is familiar with your business. Our committed support team is dedicated to resolving your issues quickly, so you can get back to work fast.
Our solutions are available now and as you grow. Whether you are starting a new business or are an established mid-sized company, we can customize a service to meet your operational requirements and budget. As you grow, we will apply best-in-class techniques to continuously improve your infrastructure.
We think prices should be clear and honest. You will get a clear proposal with a set monthly fee, so you will always know what to expect. No extra costs or surprise bills—just service you can trust.
We know a lot about the problems and chances that American businesses face because we are a provider that focuses on their needs.
We know a lot about local markets and have worked with a lot of different industries, so we can make sure our solutions meet your needs.
Managed IT Services (also known as IT Managed Services) is the process of using a third-party provider to manage all aspects of your IT (Information Technology) environment, including hardware and software, by using their own resources on a monthly subscription basis while providing a high-level of customer service.
In most cases, yes. If you were to factor in downtime due to problems with IT, the opportunity cost associated with not being productive, and any potential data breaches, you would realize that the cost of managed IT services is typically much less than the overall cost of these events.
Also, you will benefit from having access to greater expertise and experience and the security that comes from working with established providers, as well as the predictability of expenses over a long period of time.
Possibly, depending on the size of your organization. Managed IT Services may replace your internal IT staff entirely for smaller organizations that do not have IT departments, while for medium-sized organizations, a combination or hybrid IT model would work well by having both internal and managed IT services together as an organization with co-managed services.
The timeframe for implementing services depends on the complexity of your existing IT environment. A standard implementation timeframe of managed IT services usually ranges between a few weeks to several months to complete all necessary steps to get your organization fully ready for a managed service.
The best approach to achieve a timely transition will include a well-defined transition plan that is communicated to all stakeholders.
Are you ready to make your technology a competitive edge instead of a problem? Start making your IT environment safer, more efficient, and less stressful.
We can help you. Let us show you how. We offer a free IT assessment to look at your current infrastructure, find weaknesses, and make suggestions. It’s a great way to check on the health of your IT and find ways to improve it.
Get in touch with us today to find out more about our managed IT services. Our team is ready to answer your questions and create a custom IT solution that works perfectly for your business. Let’s work together to make the future of technology better.
