More and more organizations are looking into managed services to help support their IT operations. According to the market intelligence firm Fact.MR, the global managed services market is forecast to be valued at $262 billion in 2022, representing a 7.8% year-over-year increase. If you’re looking to outsource your own IT functions to a managed service provider, it is important to understand the different services they offer and what’s essential for your business.
Here are some of the managed services available to you:
Infrastructure Support
It’s no secret that IT infrastructure is the mission control of every business. As day-to-day processes get increasingly dispersed, the infrastructure responsible for connecting them must function at peak capacity. As you assess the different types of managed services, managed infrastructure service is certainly one to consider.
Since IT infrastructure comprises various components, expect the managed IT infrastructure service to span multiple categories. Common categories include network security, managed print services, managed endpoints, and more. If you go broader, an MSP could offer data backups, firewall solutions, and other solutions for nurturing your infrastructure.
Managed SaaS (Software as a Service)
We know, we know – SaaS is typically offered on a subscription and requires licensing fees. However, managed SaaS is actually a service where a professional offers to help with the installation, customization, and troubleshooting of the programs.
Most managed SaaS providers lend support for software hosted on their own servers, but you can also find MSPs offering support for external software. If the MSP is the provider of the software, you may be able to request ongoing access to their service until the duration of your SLA.
Cybersecurity
A key reason for hiring a managed service provider is to gain peace of mind that your network, data, infrastructure, and systems are protected against cyber attacks. MSPs that offer cybersecurity services to their clients will provide anti-phishing, malware thwarting, and antivirus software. System monitoring is also a part of their service, as is preventing external and internal intrusions.
Managed Communications
With many organizations going remote, there’s a market for MSPs offering communications support such as video, data, or VoIP. These companies can set up and manage platforms such as Zoom, RingCentral, and Microsoft Teams while imposing stringent access policies and ensuring a high level of security.
Along with these services, managed communications providers may also offer call center features integrated with phone, web, instant messaging, and other types of customer contact. These solutions can help you achieve organization-wide synergy without high costs to your business.
Data Analytics
Managed data analytics services involve collecting, analyzing, and interpreting engagement data. This data may come from your website or social media activity—the MSP will use it to identify patterns for when the most engagement occurs and suggest ways to convert more visitors.
If you choose to get this service, your MSP partner will provide easy-to-understand reports you can use to make informed business decisions. What trends are causing lost engagement? Where can the business take advantage of automation or post-scheduling? The reports will help you answer these questions and more.
Managed Field Services
Managed field (or on-site IT) services involve a company sending technicians to your location to complete IT jobs such as installing or repairing hardware, performing site surveys, and more. Whether you have multiple branch locations or running a single office, the support of an experienced technician can go a long way in solving IT problems and supporting end-user needs.
It’s also worth mentioning that the MSP will typically manage each engagement from start to finish. In other words, they take it upon themselves to schedule and dispatch tasks, manage work orders and tickets, and update records once the task is complete. The result is a much more streamlined IT infrastructure.
Managed Cloud Infrastructure
An MSP offering cloud infrastructure service handles virtualization service for operating systems, software, apps, or managing your virtual servers. The provider can help you migrate your existing infrastructure to the cloud and help with its maintenance. Other functions it tends to oversee include network access, file sharing, and system security.
Get an all-in-one managed services package for your business
The managed services above are all important for running a successful business, so your best option would be to take a proactive, adaptable approach to IT security and solutions. Our product, Agility 365, offers a 24/7 SOC (Security Operations Center) along with a robust customer portal, user enablement program, and unlimited helpdesk support.
With technology advancing rapidly, you can’t rely on one type of managed service to support your IT operations. Built using Microsoft 365 and Azure, Agility 365 covers all your technology, consulting, technical support, and licensing needs. Get in touch with us to learn more about our managed IT services and how we can help you achieve your organizational goals.
