Managed IT services have become a crucial component of doing business today, with over 87% of companies reporting experiencing gaps in their IT teams and turning to outsourced IT solutions.
These services allow organizations to outsource their technology needs to professionals who can manage and support their systems efficiently.
Looking at the different types of managed IT services, they all serve to provide a wide range of benefits, including:
- Increased efficiency
- Improved cyber security
- Reduced downtime
- Enhanced productivity
- Regulating compliance
- Cost savings
- And more
In this blog, we will discuss the most common types of IT managed services and their benefits, to help you make the most qualified decision for your organization.
The 7 Main Types of Managed Services You Should Know About
1. IT Support
IT support services are among the most common types of managed IT services. They involve providing technical assistance to the users of your computer systems, software, and hardware, as well as answering information technology related questions and troubleshooting IT issues remotely.
It can include help with everything from setting up new computers to resolving issues pertaining to cyber security and network administration.
The benefits of these technical support services include improved system performance, increased uptime, and reduced downtime, and there are often different tiers of IT support along with service level guarantees for average response times and issue resolution.
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2. IT Consulting
IT consulting involves providing advice and guidance on technology-related issues. It can range from anything from developing strategies for using technology to improve business processes, assessing current technology infrastructure, and identifying areas for improvement.
Engaging with IT consulting services can be a more cost-effective solution than hiring a full-time in-house IT professional or team – leading to a higher return on investment in the long run from more thoughtful decision making.
Consulting firms can also offer a range of services that can be tailored to the specific needs of a business, allowing you to scale your IT support up or down as required.
3. IT Network Monitoring and Support
IT networking and infrastructure support involve monitoring and managing your organization’s computer network to ensure it is running optimally.
This includes identifying and resolving issues with connectivity, bandwidth, and security to increase uptime and operating system efficiency.
The specific tasks involved in IT network support can vary depending on the needs of your organization, but some of the most common tasks include:
- 24/7 networking monitoring
- Network maintenance
- Security management
- Network upgrades
- And more
4. IT Helpdesk
Among the most common types of IT managed services, IT help desks provide support to end-users of technology.
IT helpdesk support can include assistance with software or hardware issues, troubleshooting problems, and providing training on new technology.
The benefits of IT helpdesk services include improved user productivity, reduced downtime, and enhanced customer satisfaction.
5. Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is a critical component of any organization’s IT infrastructure – which is why managed security services are one of the most popular types of managed services on the market today.
As the number of cyber attacks geared towards small businesses continues to expand, with nearly 43% of all cyber attacks targeting SMBs, the need for proper network security services is more crucial than ever.
Source: Comparitech
Managed IT services providers can provide a range of cybersecurity services, including:
- Threat monitoring
- Vulnerability assessments
- Cyber awareness training
- Backup and disaster recovery
- Security information event management (SIEM)
- And more
The benefits of cybersecurity services include improved protection against cyber threats, reduced risk of data breaches, and enhanced compliance with regulatory requirements.
6. Compliance Management
Compliance management involves ensuring that an organization’s technology infrastructure is compliant with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
These requirements can vary depending on the industry, country, and jurisdiction. Failing to comply may cause severe legal and financial consequences.
A managed service provider can implement policies and procedures to ensure compliance, conduct regular audits, and provide employees training to ensure regulatory best practices.
7. Cloud Based Services
Cloud services are a common type of IT managed service, because they provide a flexible, scalable, and cost-effective solution for IT infrastructure management.
Cloud computing involves using remote servers hosted on the internet to store, manage, and process data instead of using local servers or personal computers, with managed cloud services ranging from:
- Cloud software as a service (SaaS)
- Cloud platform as a service (PaaS)
- Cloud infrastructure as a service (IaaS)
- Cloud migration support
- Cloud administration
- And more
Learn more about the benefits of cloud services, common challenges, and how to mitigate them! Check out these additional resources: |
Which Types of Managed Services are Right For Your Business?
By outsourcing your technology needs to professionals and leveraging managed services offerings, you gain more time to focus on your core competencies and leave technology management to the experts.
So many businesses are looking to leverage the benefits of managed IT services that the outsourcing market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.6% from 2023 to 2030.
But what types of managed services are right for you?
This can be difficult to determine on your own, which is why at XL.net, our goal is to assist you in determining which types of IT managed services will help drive your business forward.
Check out our complimentary IT support selection guide – or get in touch with us today to find out exactly the services you’re looking for to increase your productivity and set your business up for continued success.