Managed IT Services Explained: Benefits, Types, and Examples

What is managed IT services? They’re a set of ongoing support and management options that businesses contract from an external partner. Rather than hiring in-house, these specialists work on a contract basis with:

• Service agreements
• Annual  contracts
• Access to specialists

As technology needs continue to grow, so do the roles of these providers.

The Growing Role of Managed IT Services

Today’s business environment is changing. Your managed IT services’ meaning will change over time because it encompasses multiple areas of technology. We’re seeing rising demand in this sector due to:

• Rising Complexity of IT: Businesses now rely on cloud platforms, hybrid networks, and advanced cybersecurity. Specialized skills are necessary for all of these areas.
• Demand for Cybersecurity: Risks are on the rise with greater scale and sophistication. MSPs offer a cost-effective way to monitor, detect and stop threats.
• Remote and Hybrid Work: MSPs help secure and scale networks for greater collaboration and streamlined access for employees.
• Faster Innovation: Your company needs to remain competitive at a time when innovation speed is increasing. MSPs assist with automation, cloud solutions and your entire digital transformation.

But settling on one managed IT services definition is challenging. It’s a service that includes multiple components.

What Are Managed IT Services?

You know why you need them, but what is managed IT services? They’re a mix of:

• Help Desk support
• Cloud and infrastructure management
• Backup and disaster recovery
• Strategic IT planning
• Cybersecurity management

You can hire an IT support services provider who handles one or all of these areas of your technology ecosystem for you as an external partner.

Difference between IT services and managed services

While similar, there are clear distinctions between these two service types.

• IT services: General support options with a focus on reactive approaches. You may hire these professionals to migrate servers or fix issues that already exist.
• Managed IT services definition: A specific type of service with ongoing and proactive management. These professionals focus on monitoring and maintenance to detect and stop issues before they become operational problems. For example, they monitor servers 24/7 for anomalies, apply patches and handle your support needs.

You can work with each service type independently because managed services fit seamlessly into existing teams.

Key Features of Managed IT Services

Why do businesses prefer working with an external partner rather than an in-house team? Because the managed IT services meaning has many key features:

• 24/7 support to resolve issues across time zones fast and efficiently.
• Cybersecurity management that includes intrusion detection, threat monitoring, firewalls, patching and compliance.
• Proactive monitoring that reduces downtime and detects issues before they become problems.
• Flexible service agreements for all types of managed IT services.
• Scaling options that grow or shrink as your business needs change.

Types of Managed IT Services

Still confused? What is managed IT services? It can be broken down into many types:

Managed network & infrastructure

Your entire technology ecosystem runs on servers, either on-site or in the cloud. Your managed IT services meaning may be for your network and infrastructure.

Managed security

Cybersecurity needs are rising. For this type of service, a provider will monitor your network and harden your security.

Managed cloud services

Your managed IT services may cover everything on Microsoft Azure or similar platforms. Providers can focus on design, deployment and maintenance on the cloud.

Managed communication services

Your workplace has a lot of collaboration between offices. Service providers can help manage these communications to provide seamless discussions for employees.

Managed software & helpdesk

Patching, updates, installation and all helpdesk support are also part of many service providers’ offerings. You can free up your in-house team with these types of managed IT services so that they can focus on other core tasks.

Benefits of Managed IT Services

You know the multiple types of providers and the services that they can offer you. And you even know the managed IT services definition, but what about the benefits?

Cost savings vs. in-house IT

Flexible pricing structures allow for month-to-month agreements and access to specialists without hiring in-house. You’ll pay one fee without worrying about:

• Benefits
• Insurance
• Office space
• Training

Access to advanced technology

Offloading your IT services to a team of specialists gives you access to the latest tech and concepts. You’ll work with a team that each focuses on one area: cybersecurity, cloud, networking, etc.

Scalability and flexibility

Scalability is one of the top benefits mentioned in IT managed services examples. Scale your services up or down as needed as your business grows. Many providers also offer flexible plans that you can customize to your needs.

Stronger security & compliance

Managed IT providers offer 24/7 surveillance and expertise to bolster your security. MSPs invest in advanced tools and training to stay ahead of cyber threats. They also stay on top of compliance changes to ensure clients stay compliant.

Who Needs Managed IT Services?

Any business can benefit from managed IT, including:

• Small and medium-sized organizations
• Businesses with high growth trajectories
• Companies in regulated industries
• Large enterprises with existing IT teams

Challenges and Risks of Managed IT Services

Managed IT also has potential risks and challenges:

• Data security vulnerability
• Delayed response times if communication breaks down
• Loss of internal knowledge and overreliance on the provider
• Difficulty switching providers in the future

How to Choose the Right Managed IT Provider

It can be a challenge to find the right provider. Here are a few important things to consider.

• List of services. What is included in managed IT services? Will their offerings meet your needs and goals?
• Experience and expertise. Look for a provider with a proven track record in your industry. Do they understand your compliance and regulatory compliance? Do they have reviews and IT managed services examples that back up their claims?
• Certifications and partnerships. Do they have any professional certifications? These demonstrate that their team is skilled and follows the industry’s best practices.
• Flexibility. Are their plans flexible? Can you scale up or down as needed? Look for companies that won’t lock you into lengthy contracts.

Also, consider whether they will customize their services to meet your needs.

Why Managed IT Services Are the Future of Business IT

Now that you have a clear answer to the question “what is managed services in the IT industry?” let’s look at why they are the future of business tech.

• Proactive: Managed services don’t follow the usual “break-fix” model. They take a proactive approach through 24/7 surveillance and resolving issues before they disrupt business.
• Scalability: Services grow with the business without the need to hire new employees. Companies have the option to scale instantly and expand across multiple locations with ease.
• Predictable Costs: Managed services come at a predictable monthly cost. Businesses save on the costs of hiring (training, salaries and benefits).
• Expertise: Outsourced providers give companies access to a team of experts with specialized knowledge. These professionals help organizations stay ahead of cyber threats.

Managed IT is shaping the future of business tech for all of these reasons and more. But perhaps the most compelling reason is time savings. Companies don’t have to invest time and resources into new hires and continued education to keep their team ahead of the curve. They can work with a third-party provider to handle all of their IT needs.