What is Managed IT Support?
What services can we provide?
I was asked in a networking meeting “so what are these managed services, I confess I don’t understand!”
What are Managed Services?
In networking meetings I often stand up for my ’60 second pitch’ and open with ‘J & J Systems are a Managed Service IT Provider’.
Then on one occasion a small business owner confessed to me. He didn’t understand what a Managed Service IT Provider was or what Managed Services were, nor what outsourced IT Serviced were.
I then decided to change my pitch slightly to explain each of the individual IT Support Services we offer to clients in plain English. I have amended acronyms and address technical language.
As a Managed Service IT Provider or Managed Service IT Company, we offer the ability for clients to outsource their computing support and services to us. Handing over responsibility for checking and managing their IT systems. Sounds simple?
What are the systems J & J Systems can manage?
The answer is all IT systems which a small business uses and needs to run on a day to day basis. Each service can normally be used independently of another. Of course, the more IT services we manage the easier it is for us to control problems and fix them quickly.
Simple outsourcing
This is outsourcing at its simplest. Allowing a business owner to perform all their IT operations quickly and effectively in a cost effective manner, with added value services beyond the normal reach of a small company.
IT outsourcing allows businesses to perform certain operations more quickly and efficiently, at a more affordable cost. Organisations use managed IT service providers to perform a range of functions; from infrastructure (hardware, cabling and telecoms), software development right through to everyday IT and computing maintenance and technical support. As a small IT outsourcing company we cater for small to medium enterprises alike. These are normally based locally in Kent and throughout the South East. This allows us to visit on site and to offer a personal service. Some IT Service Providers can be non geographically relevant and manage all IT support completely remotely. It is essential that each business finds a company that caters to its specific requirements and systems.
Save money
Small business IT outsourcing can often save your company money. This is because it’s often less expensive to hire a managed IT service provider, rather than it is to build an in-house IT management team and cover their holidays and sickness. Many very large companies outsource some portion of their IT function to a managed IT service provider. Often a small business can really benefit from a team of professionals. Allowing them to handle web hosting, programming, data and server management offering great advice on stable technologies and business continuity. Some larger companies may look into small business IT outsourcing for their off site data storage needs, for example, to comply with their business insurance and avoid having to buy and maintain its own data storage equipment. They might also review managed IT services when reviewing business continuity or disaster recovery services. Both of which J&J Systems are pleased to assist with.
Pick & mix services according to requirement
Because different organisations require a wide range of IT services, managed IT service providers can provide vastly different services. For example, one organisation may require only email hosting and support. Another may require on-site computing support, where other businesses may need only online backup facilities. Often, small businesses benefit from regional IT companies with local offices, rather than large IT companies that can only perform off-site services or charge very large sums for onsite visits.
Most managed IT service providers offer the following services:
- Anti Virus management
- System management
- Server Virtualisation
- Data storage
- Wireless network management
- Network infrastructure management
- Communications
- Disaster Recovery/ Business continuity
If you’re interested in finding out more about Outsourcing IT Services and When to Use Managed IT Services, find out more by clicking through from this link
