Managed IT services solutions come in many shapes and sizes, so how do you know the quality managed services from the not-so-great options? Let's take a look at a few key elements that truly define the managed IT experience.
What Are Managed Services?
Before we get into the details, let's take a quick look at the basics.
Managed services are a way to outsource some of your company's biggest concerns and responsibilities. You choose a provider, and, side-by-side with this partner, you work to make things more manageable for your internal teams. Sometimes that means completely outsourcing a task to your provider; other times, it means working together to find workflow solutions, optimize your tech environment, or otherwise improve your setup.
Managed print services and managed IT services are two of the most common solutions. The key takeaway is that, while these approaches have "print" or "IT" in their name, they actually create benefits that reach far beyond their initial scope to protect, strengthen, and support your entire business.
What Managed IT Should Look Like
Here's the truth: Managed IT services looks a little different for every company—as it should. That's because managed IT adapts to your unique needs and challenges, creating a framework fully informed by your business.
However, that doesn't mean managed IT services should be a guessing game. There are a few key elements that every managed IT approach should have no matter what:
A Clear, Flexible Strategy
Although the specific solutions and approaches will change, the underlying strategy of your managed IT services should always be clear. You and your provider work together to create this strategy, helping you know what to expect at every turn.
Consistent Security Assessments
Security assessments provide transparency into your IT environment, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, vulnerabilities, and more. A managed IT provider should start your relationship with a security assessment and perform them regularly thereafter so you can track your progress.
Reliable Safety Nets
Managed IT has many approaches for protecting your company, and one of those approaches should be to create "safety nets." Data backups, disaster recovery plans, and other solutions should provide an extra layer of defense in case something goes wrong.
In conclusion, managed services can be a huge benefit to your business—but only if they have all the right elements. When it comes to managed IT, those elements are a clear strategy, reliable safety nets, and regular security assessments.
Interested in managed services? Ready to see managed IT in action? Contact us today for all the help you need!