Managed IT services allow businesses to delegate their IT operations to an expert third-party organization that specializes in handling these responsibilities. These third-party organizations, known as Managed Service Providers (MSPs), are responsible for the entirety or portions of a business’s IT systems, as agreed upon in a Service Level Agreement (SLA). IT equipment is typically procured by the client, and depending on the SLA, Managed Service Providers may provide round-the-clock monitoring, issue resolution and reporting, and more.
According to the SLA, managed service providers charge a flat fee for delivery of their services over a set period of time. The SLA defines exactly what services will be furnished and to what extent, as well as metrics for measuring the success of these services.
Cloud computing has allowed managed IT services to expand beyond regional and physical limits that constrain traditional break/fix IT. Through Software as a Service (SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS), these capabilities enable managed IT services to scale far faster and larger than in-house IT operations or break/fix providers.
MSPs utilize a broad range of IT expertise to resolve issues efficiently. Unlike break/fix providers, MSPs can employ the latest processes and software to proactively monitor endpoints, keeping systems up to date and preventing issues before they arise. Managed IT services are also available 24×7×365, allowing end users to take nights and weekends off while MSPs handle critical tasks and maintenance after hours.
MSP services are typically offered at a flat recurring rate in tiered levels, providing greater automation and higher degrees of management at advanced tiers as defined in the service level agreement. End users only pay for the services they require, and can scale their plan up or down based on business needs and demand.
