Managed IT Services to Protect, Optimize, and Grow Your Business

It’s great to have a dedicated IT team around the office to help when things go wrong, or a direct line to your printer’s manufacturer whenever your documents start streaking. Unfortunately, these conveniences can be quite expensive to maintain, or even justify in the case of smaller businesses.

That’s why many businesses turn to the tailored solution known as Managed IT. A good IT service provider will offer a range of services to cater to every shape and size of business imaginable, and excel at meeting your needs.

There are many different kinds of Managed IT services available, and this article will familiarize you with some of the most in demand.

Managed IT in a Nutshell

Managed IT Service Providers, also called Managed Service Providers (MSPs), are companies that offer a range of solutions to a business’s IT needs. The specific solutions required by each business depend on its size and IT setup, as well as its budget. Some businesses may require comprehensive cloud support and device security across their entire network, while others may just be looking to have their documents safely backed up.

Even in smaller businesses, managing IT can be overwhelming. MSPs offer a number of benefits to make your life easier, including:

• Cost savings – By removing the need for an in-house IT team, costs can be dramatically slashed.
• Flexibility – Managed IT providers offer as much or as little as required.
• Expertise – Not everybody in the office is an IT expert, but a provider certainly is.
• Regular Maintenance – Managed IT can help prevent problems before they begin, saving money and preventing loss of productivity.

As more and more companies seek Managed IT partners, the industry is predicted to grow steadily in the years to come. It’s estimated that by 2029, global MSP revenue will total $25.15 billion, with most of the growth expected to come from the U.S.

Major Types of Managed IT

A reliable MSP understands that one size doesn’t fit all. Every business differs in its makeup and needs, as can be seen by the many types of Managed IT services available. Some providers may only focus on a specific subset of services, while others will offer a wide range. Here are the major Managed IT services you can expect from a provider:

IT Services and Support

Easily the most common service that most businesses need when it comes to Managed IT is help when things go wrong. Some MSPs offer assistance when hardware fails, or when major software issues occur. Most will regularly maintain office machinery to prevent costly breakdowns and downtime.

As most Managed IT services are remote, a help desk is generally the way that employees access the support they need in a pinch. For smaller businesses with fewer IT problems, this can often be more cost-efficient than a dedicated IT or specialist on-site.

Security

Companies of all sizes have networks, devices connected to those networks, and access to the internet. Without proper monitoring and proper precautions, any infiltration of the network could spell disaster. A cybersecurity MSP will analyze the setup of a business and provide a range of tailored solutions to keep everything secure. This can involve:

• Constant monitoring of the network to detect and prevent infiltration.
• Restricting network and data access to certain users.
• Establishing and maintaining protective measures like firewalls, antivirus, and account protection.
• Conducting in-house training to raise employee awareness about cybersecurity threats.

Cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving and always a risk. It’s important to use an MSP that constantly and consistently keeps your business and its network safe.

Print Services

Keeping a large office’s printers running smoothly, properly stocked with paper, and regularly topped up with ink or toner can be a huge undertaking in and of itself. Most Managed IT services will offer print services as part of their range of solutions. Some MSPs will audit print usage to save costs, while others will replace aging or outdated machines whenever necessary.

Data Backup and Recovery

As a business scales, so too does the amount of data it generates and processes. Any loss or compromise of this data can cause not only a huge financial loss, but also a major disruption to operations. It’s important to have a backup plan and a partner that knows how to implement it in the best way.

Managed IT providers that offer data backup and recovery regularly backup files (usually offsite or to the cloud) and implement recovery methods to ensure that any loss or disaster has the smallest impact possible. To this end, they’ll also work with the business to draft a disaster recovery plan for any number of worst-case scenarios.

Cloud Services

Cloud services offer many benefits for a business, including scalability, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness. But they can also be a nightmare to run and keep secure. MSPs that offer cloud services manage the data, applications and infrastructure that make up a business’s cloud network. Data is kept compliant with applicable industry regulations and standards, and network components like virtual servers are set up and monitored regularly.

Software Services

There was a time when simply buying software every few years would keep you up to date. Times have changed, with many essential software tools now only available as software-as-a-service (SAAS). These tools require subscriptions and frequent updates to introduce new features and patch any issues. Keeping tabs on one or two programs isn’t such a problem, but with bigger companies and more programs and users to manage, the time and effort required to keep everything running smoothly can spiral quickly.

Some Managed IT services will keep tabs on all your subscription-based programs, so you don’t have to. They’ll ensure all payments are made on time and versions are up-to-date.

Data Analytics

Businesses that process and store large amounts of employee and user data need to keep all information safe, compliant, and properly catalogued. There are MSPs that take care of one or more of these tasks for businesses. They can help shape raw data into usable forms, which allows the business to identify trends, usage habits, and make informed predictions about the market and their clientele.

Stress-Free Management

Outsourcing some or all of your IT needs to an expert who knows how best to cater to them is not only a good way to save money, but can play a decisive role in keeping your business safe, productive, and up to date. There are many types of MSP services out there, which can make finding the right provider a daunting prospect. But if you’re in Louisville, Lexington, Elizabethtown, London, or Paducah, the choice is easy: Duplicator Sales and Service.

Since 1959, we’ve consistently provided the best service, individually tailored to our clients. Success depends on the partnerships you build, and we’d love to build a long and productive partnership with you. Contact us today to discuss your requirements and get a quote.