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Businesses need fully implemented IT infrastructure to remain competitive. Some businesses might consider running these services in-house, but surviving in the competitive business world requires embracing managed IT services. This means outsourcing your IT infrastructure to reputable providers so you can stand out from the crowd. This article will explain what you need to know if you’re just hearing about managed IT services for the first time.

Managed IT Services: Definition and Types

Managed IT services is the process of outsourcing the implementation, maintenance, and management of IT operations to third-party vendors called Managed Service Providers (MSPs). This is so the business can focus more time and effort on its primary business operations.

The delegation can be full or partial, depending on the contract. But usually, the services include data backups, security, monitoring services, project management, on-site IT management, and management of IT devices such as desktops, networks, and storage systems.

System Monitoring

Managed IT services largely manage and monitor the remote infrastructure of a business. The service provider helps manage network servers, workstations, and IT devices. They handle everything related to this, including administration, maintenance, and compliance. While this is usually the primary focus of managed services, other types of services—listed—below are sometimes considered a part of this main service.

Security Services

With technology comes the risk of cyberattacks. And considering how vital data is to businesses, protecting their infrastructure becomes key. Also, businesses need to ensure they can secure this space without worry while focusing on other aspects of their business. So, providers work to deliver cybersecurity solutions, such as software maintenance and patching and other security services.

Data Backups and Recovery

As mentioned earlier, businesses often deal with a lot of data, including customer information, trade secrets, financial records, and other important information that must be kept secure. So, they require data backups to ensure they can recover their key information if needed. Some vendors provide data backups as a part of cloud computing and security services. But others have provisions for a standalone solution if you require it.

System Upgrades

Technology is being improved practically every day. So, sometimes, what was cutting-edge yesterday is outdated today. And companies understand that they need to keep up with the latest trends to stand a chance in the labor market. So, one aspect of managed IT services is system upgrades to meet the requirements of the current technological demand.

Cloud Computing

Managed IT services include cloud computing to accommodate the need for on-site and remote document management. The latest technology demands that documents be stored on the cloud for improved efficiency and enhanced security. So, managed services companies often partner with cloud service providers to offer comprehensive, cohesive cloud computing.

Communication Services

Competition in business requires swift communication with customers to keep them engaged so they won’t take their business elsewhere. Therefore, businesses embrace unified communications to streamline their communication systems in one platform. Vendors help by consolidating all your communication networks – including emails, VOIP, and video conferencing – all in one place.

Data Analytics

Businesses don’t run blindly. They must monitor and track their traffic, business performance, and trends. Therefore, managed IT services can provide you with insights into your workflow and consult on solutions to improve performance.

Why You Need Managed IT Services

IT services are multifaceted, which means you may be distracted as a business if you try to establish a fully effective IT infrastructure in-house. Apart from that, there are other benefits to embracing managed IT services. They include:

Improved Productivity

Delegating your IT services to third-party vendors will free up your employees to work on the core operations of your business. If they had to include managing IT in their main job, they would be likely distracted, not to mention less productive. With IT services being handled elsewhere, they can focus more and provide the required efficiency.

Reduced Cost

A lot of cost goes into building a fully functional infrastructure. As you can see from the types of IT services listed above, IT is multifaceted, and depending on your type of business, most services are important. But the list is not exhaustive; there are even more services that might be uniquely beneficial to your business.

The cost that would be required to hire additional personnel for your required IT services can be extensive. In addition to the hiring process, there’s the need for training. When you sum all these expenses, the total can be an amount that far surpasses what you can save by delegating these services.

With third-party vendors, you’ll have a more streamlined and predictable cost. Most operate a subscription-based model. So, for a fixed amount monthly or yearly, you get packaged and customized IT services.

Outsource Unavailable Skills

As explained, IT services are additional and different from your fundamental operations. Therefore, your present staff may be ill-equipped to handle these additional responsibilities. By leveraging managed IT services instead of hiring additional employees, you can keep your expenses in check. This way, you can get your team focused on their actual jobs.

Leverage Expert Knowledge

Employing IT vendors gives you access to experts with experience in a wide range of IT services. Since they are a company that exclusively provides IT services, they have likely encountered different situations working with various clients across many fields. This is in contrast to hiring someone whose experience may be more limited.

The vast experience of a managed IT service will make them more equipped to handle different aspects of your IT infrastructure. They are likely educated on the latest trends, technological tools, and the regulatory or legal requirements that are associated.

Dependable Infrastructure

With an in-house IT team, managing your infrastructure may be limited to regular business hours, as employees will probably clock out and shut down for the day. However, third-party vendors work round-the-clock to monitor your network. They can detect issues outside work hours because they are under contract to be always available.

By partnering with them, you can ensure your network is monitored, tracked, and in perfect shape 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Optimize Your IT Infrastructure

Your IT infrastructure is as important as the core operations of your business because it keeps your system running. For instance, you can hardly keep working if you experience a data breach or your internet service is interrupted. For this reason, many businesses have opted for managed IT services to handle their IT operations without hassle. If you’re in Houston and want an effectively managed IT infrastructure, Stargel Office Solutions is here to help. Contact Stargel Office Solutions today for all your managed services needs.