We’ve heard of managed services, but because there are so many variables that fall under this umbrella term, we wanted to unpack this topic further.
The short answer to this question is that managed services are basically, someone else’s problem.
The term indicates that the administration and management of certain systems or services are outsourced to a specialist third party. (A managed services provider.) While this is common practice for IT services, it’s becoming more prolific as technology advances.
Today, managed services can relate to anything from marketing to Cloud-based PBX systems. One of the reasons for this exponential growth is that most businesses don’t have the means to stay on top of the ever-changing world of tech. Their team would require constant training and re-training and even then, could not possibly compete with a specialist in their field.
Let’s dig a little deeper to make sure we understand what managed services are all about, and their benefits in today’s business.
What Does a Managed Service Provider Do?
The responsibilities of a managed services provider (MSP) vary depending on the environment. The nutshell version is that an MSP will take over the management of a service and ensure that it is fully functional, secure, and well-maintained.
Should their contract require it, they would take care of the hardware and any other software supporting this service to agreed levels.
This takes the responsibility of upkeep, security, and maintenance off the shoulders of the company and allows them to focus on their own business. The service is in the safe hands of professionals who quietly monitor it in the background.
In some instances, an MSP will assist the company with consolidating or integrating software, having the inside track on best-practice and knowing what systems are available.
What are the Types of Managed Services?
The list of various types of managed services is growing all the time. You may be familiar with some of these, perhaps even making use of them already.
- IT Support for hardware and software
- Print and data services
- Cloud infrastructure, networking, and security
- SaaS
- Communication and connectivity
- Security, both hardware and software
What is the Difference Between SaaS and Managed Services?
While some may use the terms Software as a Service (SaaS) and managed services interchangeably, there are some key differences.
SaaS offers companies the benefit of using proprietary software via the cloud. Managed services provide the software, and also manage the networking and hardware that supports it.
Managed services are more costly than SaaS, but they offer so much more value. More than just having access to great software is the benefit of enhanced workflows, regular maintenance, smart integrations, and upgrades without having to concern yourself with them.
Benefits of Managed Services
MSPs have changed the playing field for many small and medium-sized businesses that previously lacked the budget to employ the services of dedicated professionals in IT or other essential spaces. They are now able to compete with the major players on a global platform.
Another key advantage of managed services is that it frees up your team to focus on growing and bettering your business. The nuts and bolts of IT systems, phones, connectivity, marketing – or whatever your choice of MSP, happens seamlessly in the background. It just works, that’s all that matters.
Probably the biggest impact that employing an MSP will have on your business is that you have the focus and knowledge of a dedicated team of specialists. Their combined skills will create smooth paths for you, save you time, save you money, and help you to remain compliant and efficient.
Add to this the advantages below and everything becomes clear.
- 24/7 support
- Remote monitoring and fixes
- Proactive maintenance
- Scalable solutions
- Low costs
- Single point of contact
Managed Services with Cellfind
Our team is keenly focused on the mobile market and on creating and maintaining effortless solutions for our clients.
We have found that many of our services are well-suited for the finance and insurance industries that require all the benefits modern tech can offer, with zero fuss.
We offer:
- Set up and management of mobile campaigns
- Integration of mobile messaging platforms into your company systems
- Set up and maintenance of systems for secure customer support and communication
- Set up and integrated live chat, WhatsApp Business API, and other common messaging channels
If these opportunities are the equivalent of a giant headache tablet for you and your team, we’d love to chat with you. Request a call-back from one of our friendly team members and let us demonstrate how our managed services will benefit you.
