What are managed IT services?

January 16, 2023 8:13 am

Outsourcing has become a growing industry trend because of the advantages it provides businesses. Out of all the different outsourcing solutions, Information Technology (IT) and managed IT services have seen a significant increase in demand. With technology evolving and the needs of all types of businesses changing with it, even small businesses need managed IT services and IT support. 

But what are managed IT services and why do businesses need it? Below, we explain what managed IT services for small business clients are, why businesses need it, and what to look for when shopping around for IT services. 

What Are Managed IT Services for Small Businesses?

Managed IT services are a type of outsourced service provided by a third-party. Instead of having their own in-house team of IT professionals, the client business pays a third-party IT company to handle all the business information technology services necessary for their operations. 

The third-party company is a managed service provider. They’re responsible for the IT services as agreed upon by them and the client company. This can include small business IT support, which typically includes: 

  • CIO and CTO services – ensure that a company’s tech is working properly.
  • Disaster Recovery – restoring or backing up data in case of natural disasters, data breaches, data loss, and other situations that can result in loss of data.
  • Infrastructure Upgrades – creating the necessary on-site infrastructure and network design to ensure the business has the secure infrastructure necessary to operate. 
  • Smart Hands IT Services – assistance in handling on-site or remote data centers. 

Our IT consulting firm in Massachusetts also offers the following remote IT services for larger businesses:

  • Remote IT Services – off-site assistance for IT issues that could arise during operations. 
  • Desktop Management – ensuring desktops in the workplace meet the network and security safety measures while maximizing how employees can perform productively on their desktops. 
  • Network Management – handling a business’ network, firewalls, and data security to prevent malware, spyware, and any other viruses or software that can jeopardize the security of the company’s data. 
  • Server Management – hands-on server troubleshooting and maintenance to ensure that servers are running smoothly and to the best of their capacity. 
  • Vendor Management – handling all other third-party vendors and service providers for a company’s IT needs. 

What Are the Benefits of Using Managed IT Services in Boston?

All types of businesses can benefit from outsourcing their IT solutions to third-party service providers. Here are some examples of the advantages our clients get when they work with our managed IT services in Massachusetts.

  • Focus on Core Operations. Your business can focus less on auxiliary services that keep it running and focus more resources into the core functions and operations. This increases the efficiency of uptime hours to ensure that your employees focus on the core of the business. 
  • Maximize Productivity. Having a full IT service at your call ensures your hardware, software, and other equipment that falls within your scope gives your employees the ability to perform at their best. 
  • Fill in the Missing Skills Gap. Client businesses don’t have to be concerned about resignations, hiring, employees calling in sick, or any situation that makes an in-house team unable to fulfill their day-to-day operations. 
  • Cost-Effective Operations. Client businesses pay a fixed fee for managed IT services. This reduces the costs they need for cloud expenses, software, and all other software costs that can add up. 
  • Reduce Hiring Costs. Rather than going through the hiring process and potentially dealing with bad hires and the costs of repeating the process, businesses can simply pay a fee to have their own team. 
  • Reliable Services. Clients can expect minimized downtimes as their managed service provider is responsible for providing quick-response solutions.
  • Flexible Terms. Managed IT services come with service level agreements, which means you can determine the type of coverage and services needed for your business. 
  • Expert Knowledge at a Fraction of the Cost. Managed service providers have a team of skilled IT professionals with in-depth expertise. Compared to hiring an in-house expert, managed IT services in Massachusetts keep costs down while having access to top talent. 
  • Meet Industry Standards and Regulations. Some industries have rules and regulations regarding factors like handling client data or preventing cybersecurity attacks. Hiring professional services ensures your businesses is compliant with these regulations. 

What to Consider When Looking for Managed IT Services Providers

Here are some of the valuable factors to consider when searching for an IT consulting firm to work with.

  • Industry Experience. Some industries need special types of software and have to comply with higher levels of data privacy and security. Having a managed service provider knowledgeable in your industry can ensure you’re getting the right coverage. 
  • Reliable Support. Many managed service providers offer 24/7 IT support to ensure business operations are always running smoothly. Rather than waiting for office hours and causing delays and disruptions in the operations, you can choose managed service providers who are responsive to your calls. 
  • Adaptable Solutions. Technology and software are always evolving, and you should expect services that do the same. Your IT services should include software updates and patches done promptly so that your equipment and data are always secure against the latest malware and spyware. 
  • Off-Site and On-Site Support. Depending on your business’ needs, you may need to work with a team that offers flexible on-site and remote support. If you have your own physical infrastructure on-site, you should have someone that regularly comes in to conduct maintenance as necessary. 
  • SLA Guarantees. It’s a red flag if a managed IT service provider doesn’t provide Service Level Agreements. If there are errors in the IT system that cause interruptions or downtime, it can affect business operations until it’s resolved by your provider. 
  • Your current IT system and team. Consider what you already have in terms of IT equipment and team. If you’d like to upgrade your IT infrastructure or your IT department isn’t equipped to handle all types of IT solutions, you may request managed IT service providers to fill in the gaps or completely replace your existing system. 
  • Seamless Transfer of Data. If you have an existing system or data, your new IT service provider should be able to transfer your data to their upgraded systems or to the cloud. This ensures your data is safe and minimizes any disruptions with your operations. 

Not all IT consulting firms in Massachusetts provide the same level of quality and support for small businesses, so it’s crucial to research for a team that meets your needs. 

Get Reliable IT Management Services from M&H Consulting

At M&H Consulting, we understand the IT needs that small businesses require. However, given the costs and other resources associated with building comprehensive business technical support solutions, outsourcing managed IT services are the cost-effective solution. For reliable services from an experienced team of IT professionals, choose the services of M&H Consulting to achieve smooth operations that’s secure from downtime, software errors, and any disruptions that can affect your business. 

Our team delivers IT support in Massachusetts, particularly small and medium businesses in Boston and nearby New England areas. On top of our outstanding IT support, we provide preventative maintenance and 24/7 IT support. Our clients come from all types of industries, so we understand the type of services you need to keep your operations running at their best. 

 

Want to learn more about our services? Get in touch with M&H Consulting today and get started with a free consultation on your business’ IT needs. 

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