Corporate organizations today face several challenges when it comes to their IT needs. With the ever-rising threat of systems security breaches and other IT difficulties, it can be difficult to keep up with the latest measures to protect data. While hiring an IT team is always an option, it means having a staff just for this purpose. With many companies trying to keep operating costs to a minimum, they may choose to outsource such IT tasks. This is where managed IT services come in. With reputable companies like the mighty Computerbilities, Inc offering such services, it would be remiss of a corporate company not to take advantage of such services.
What are Managed IT Services?
This is when the IT services, usually in the context of business, are outsourced to third parties. Managed IT services ensure that corporate organizations can get such professional services from vendors who are private contractors. This kind of arrangement can be fixed or on a subscription basis.
The corporate organization getting these services does not need to go all-in; instead of hiring managed IT services for all their IT needs, they can do it only partially. This will help to reduce the workload of their in-house IT teams. These managed service providers (MSPs) can give corporate heads the peace of mind they need by ensuring that IT duties are fully covered every day year-round. In rare cases, they can provide the needed expertise that may otherwise be unavailable.
The following are the most commonly used managed IT services:
i)IT security services. These include penetration testing of computer systems, threat assessment of network vulnerabilities, or incident reports.
ii) Communications support like VoIP or other IP telephony services.
iii) Remote monitoring of all corporate IT infrastructure and its related hardware.
iv) Configuration and supervision of cloud systems.
Considerations for Managed IT Services
While working with MSPs is great, it can have some drawbacks. As such, you’ll need to keep certain things in mind when working with these third parties. These include;
1)Strategic IT Planning
MSPs are there to help you manage your IT infrastructure by suggesting upgrades, configurations, and any other necessary additions. It makes no sense to pay for such services when you’re not getting full value for your money. As such, whichever MSPs you hire should understand your infrastructure fully. This will enable them to provide managed IT services that are more in line with your long-term business goals. A good IT planning strategy should extend well beyond the immediate future.
2) Reputable Providers
In today’s corporate dealings, you can’t take a managed IT services provider at their word. This means that you have to research any MSPs you choose to bring on board as far as managing your company’s IT infrastructure goes. Good research will help verify their track record. You want providers that have a track record of successfully helping their clients. It doesn’t hurt to ask some of their past clients about their services. A good testimonial from an MSPs former client is worth its weight in gold!
3) Accountability
In the corporate world, service level agreements (SLAs) are the equivalent of a promise by MSPs to provide a certain, expected level of service. The best way to ensure that these contractors are held accountable for any mishaps is to have clearly defined SLAs. These agreements should have actionable steps on how exactly the MSPs will help you manage your IT infrastructure. A key component of SLAs is system performance and scope of services. Be wary of any provider that is not willing to share system data with you.
4) On-site vs. Offsite Support
While most MSPs offer offsite IT services, sometimes your company may need on-site services. This is a crucial thing to enquire about. Some managed IT service providers may specialize in only one type without having the tools to handle the other. Ensure that the MSP you choose to work with knows exactly which kind of IT support will suit your needs.
5) Effective Communications
Sometimes, basic communication gets lost in all the chaos of managing IT systems and dealing with sophisticated software and other technical details. All the best managed IT services wouldn’t do your company much good if there’s poor communication. For instance, your hired MSPs may come across a systems issue that needs to be addressed promptly. Addressing such an issue may require your consent before making the necessary configurations. If they can communicate quickly and effectively, a minor issue could become the source of a major problem, leading to downtime and other costs.
In a nutshell, managed IT services can be your best friend as long as you have a good understanding of them.