What is managed services?
When I meet people for the first time and they ask what exactly is managed services, I tell them it’s simply a fancier way of saying outsourcing. Managed services could be for anything, but when we talk about managed services, it’s for information technology and business communications.
In other words, this could be outsourcing your computer repair/upgrade/maintenance, applications (such as email and database), data backups and disaster recovery, help desk, computer network, and telephones.
An analogy I like to use is your Internet service provider. When you pay your monthly bill for Internet service, the service provider gives you Internet access. If your modem malfunctions, they replace it for you. It’s included as part of your contract with the Internet Service Provider.
Similarly, for IT, a managed services provider could set your company up with email access, computer maintenance, and help desk support.
If email problems occur or you have computer issues, your managed services provider would fix that all.
What are smart SMBs doing to keep up?
Why are more businesses switching to managed services for their computer and network needs? Cost and efficiency.
In today’s business world, technology has become some an integral and crucial foundation. Without your database of clients, applications, Internet access, and email, it’s going to be very difficult to get things done.
Some businesses are smart and realize they can save a ton of money while actually gaining more IT expertise and capabilities by switching to a managed services provider.
Specifically, the advantages are:
Lower costs
With flat-rate billing, businesses can better control and reduce operating costs. For companies that don’t need a full time IT department, hiring someone or multiple people full time does not make sense. At the same time, they do need someone with expertise in email, computer repair, database management, and backups.
What if you could have a team of engineers and technicians at a fraction of the cost of a full-time employee? With managed services, you can.
An added bonus is not having to worry about the “tech” guy leaving. You don’t go through the hassles of hiring and managing the IT department. A good managed services provider will cover all that.
All-in-one 24/7 monitoring and optimization
As the dependence of technology grows, it’s crucial to have an efficient way of dealing with and preventing issues before they arise.
For example, instead of calling the Internet repair guy, phone repair guy, and printer repair guy to handle each thing as they break, the managed services provider makes sure those things are in order.
Pricing
Our clients are billed a monthly flat fee, but we also have consulting projects for special situations.
Because each business and their technology requirements are different (number of users, networks size, capabilities needed, etc.) we found it better to have a quick conversation to better understand your needs.
Call 972.331.3300 and we’ll go through a few simple questions. If we’re unable to help you, we’ll refer you to someone who can.
