Managed IT services and IT support services may sound similar, but these two service options have several distinct differences.
Both service types relate to information technology and how it is leveraged to assist businesses with their operations and growth.
However, the chosen service type will depend on the business’s unique needs, budget, and other factors. In many cases, companies choose both types of services to create a comprehensive approach to IT support and management.
What Are Managed IT Services?
Managed IT services enable businesses to delegate many of their IT operations to an experienced third-party organization specializing in this area. These third-party organizations are often referred to as managed service providers (MSPs). They are responsible for all or portions of a business’s IT systems based on the information outlined in the Service Level Agreement (SLA).
MSPs generally charge a flat fee for managed IT services delivered over a specified period of time. The SLA will determine what services are offered to the client, and the MSP will have metrics in place to measure the success of these services.
Benefits Of Managed IT Services
Although managed IT services are not a one-size-fits-all solution for businesses; they can offer a wide range of benefits. One of the biggest reasons that companies use MSPs is to avoid the expense of costly hardware.
Technology architectures can be costly to purchase and in just a few years, they can become obsolete. Working with a managed IT service provider can help eliminate some of these expenses.
Managed IT service providers also have access to specialized technologies. Some businesses may choose to hire a full-time staff of in-house IT professionals. Although this can be a convenient way to handle IT responsibilities, the in-house team may not have access to the tools or resources needed to resolve complex issues. MSPs can provide a high level of performance using the latest technologies.
While managed IT services offer many benefits, there are some downsides to acquiring these services. Depending on the service provider chosen, businesses may find that the program specifications are rather rigid. In addition, some providers lack in terms of communication. Managed IT services can sometimes be stringent with their communication channels and an MSP may use automation instead of human experts.
Managed IT services include many different options that can assist businesses in their growth, such as incident management, system administration, patch administration, service management and enhanced monitoring.
What Are IT Support Services?
Technology is constantly changing and evolving, and businesses must keep pace or risk following behind their competitors. IT support services aim to help modern businesses by swiftly addressing IT issues as they arise.
IT support companies provide companies with the technical expertise they need to ensure that technological problems they encounter do not cause extended periods of downtime or prevent them from continuing normal business operations.
Benefits Of IT Support Services
One of the biggest benefits of IT support services is their ability to resolve technical problems quickly and efficiently. When a business hires an IT company to provide IT support, employees can contact these professionals at any time to fix issues that they may encounter with computer networks or systems.
This can be a highly valuable feature when a business runs into an emergency and cannot continue operations until the problem has been resolved. IT support services can also be used to optimize performance and usability. IT support services often include active monitoring of a company’s hardware performance.
When IT teams have access to these components, they can quickly identify security gaps or weaknesses that could put the business at risk. Businesses can enjoy reduced downtime and fewer interruptions to their operations throughout the day. Acquiring IT support services can even result in long-term savings for businesses. Although hiring an IT support team may seem like an unnecessary cost, it can prevent businesses from the expense of hiring a full-time IT team.
For a fixed monthly cost that businesses can budget for, these enterprises can enjoy round-the-clock access to a team of dedicated IT professionals. Every business is different and their IT needs are unique. An IT support professional will craft a custom IT plan that meets its unique needs and budget. This ensures that the business receives the best value possible based on the services chosen.
Inquire About Northern VA Managed IT Services
Most small- and mid-sized businesses do not have the budget or resources needed to retain a full-time IT department. Fortunately, services like managed IT and IT support are available to assist these businesses with ongoing technical assistance.
Although these service options do have many differences, both options can be a highly valuable addition to any business. To learn more about managed IT services or IT support services, or to request a consultation with a Northern VA managed IT services professional, contact TCB 24×7 Expert Network IT Support by calling (703) 783-2781 or by requesting a consultation online..