“What is managed IT services?” That’s one question that every business that relies on IT services should be able to answer. What would you do when your business needs information technology solutions, but you’re not tech-savvy? You’ll have to hire an IT expert to do the job, and that’s where managed IT services come in handy to help.
Let's look over the key terms and a brief history of managed IT services for SMBs: Share on XWith managed IT services, you can delegate your business’ IT operations to a professional third-party company specialized in handling IT tasks. The third-party companies, known as managed service providers (MSPs), will manage your business’ IT systems as per the provisions in the Service Level Agreement (SLA).
Here are the basics of managed IT services and how you’ll benefit from the services.
Key Terms and Definitions
Before investing in managed IT services, be conversant with the following IT terms.
- Agent: a program that MSPs use to remotely collect information about devices’ statuses, allowing them to effectively manage systems and update programs.
- Backup and Disaster Recovery (BDR): a merger of data backup and disaster-recovery solutions working coherently to ensure continuous operations in your business despite disasters or incidents that can interrupt it.
- Break/fix: An old style of IT service delivery where a client has to call a break/fix technician to upgrade, maintain, or resolve issues arising on their IT systems. The client will then pay for the services upon completion of the task.
- Information Technology (IT): use of computer technologies to store, transmit, and utilize data through computing networks, devices, and telecommunications.
- Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS): virtualized hardware operating over cloud computing environments like a network, server space, or network connections.
- Internet of Things (IoT): a network of products or objects that contain sensors, software and can connect to the internet for seamless operations.
A Brief History of Managed IT Services
At the start of enterprise computing, IT services and management were on a break/fix basis. Experts could only manage computer systems when they did not work. With time, mass manufacturing of computers began, leaving small IT dealers to focus on break/fix.
The break/fix system was labor-intensive, time-consuming, and costly. With the rising production of computing devices, the number of computers that IT technicians could service through the break/fix system grew, calling for managed IT services.
How They Can Help Your SMB
Outsourcing managed IT services is more cost-effective than hiring an in-house team to manage the IT systems. The MSPs offer a wealth of experience by managing many clients’ IT systems. By using managed IT services, SMBs can predict their future costs on IT. That allows them to grow their businesses without worrying about IT issues.
Conclusion
If there’s an issue with your business technology, you’ll need to find a quick solution to avoid inconveniences. Otherwise, operations would come to a standstill. You can invest in managed IT services for remote monitoring and management of your IT systems. The good news is, you can now answer the question “What is managed IT services?”
Connect with us to learn more benefits of managed IT services to SMBs.
Amy Passmore is the Chief Executive Officer and Integrator of Enstep Technology Solutions, where she has been a key leader since the company’s founding. She has overseen core operational and financial functions from day one and now leads the company’s continued growth in managed IT services. Outside of work, she supports inclusion in her community by managing the Texas Power Soccer Association and coaching the Houston Fireballs Power Soccer Club.
