An IT Managed Services Provider is a business that offers on-demand IT support, technical staff, and technology capabilities to other businesses. A managed services provider helps clients maintain their IT infrastructure while reducing the costs of in-house employees.
Businesses are becoming increasingly reliant on computers. Computers sit idle without the proper hardware, software, storage space, or technicians to maintain them. Many businesses cannot afford to employ an entire IT department and must focus their resources on managing it instead.
A managed it services provider offers much of the same service that a large company would provide in-house for a smaller fee. This is why many companies are turning to managed services providers: they often provide more expertise and capabilities and real-time support. Here are the common roles of IT managed service companies:
1. Hardware Management
This is one of the most common roles you will come across when seeking IT services in your area, for instance, IT Services in Florida. Businesses with a robust IT department can find themselves overwhelmed by the number of daily problems that arise with hardware. Typically, these companies have enough resources to combat system issues independently but still require an outside opinion from time to time for difficult problems. Service-providing companies, such as splunk professional services and similar MSPs can assist with hardware management, such as:
- Pre-sale consulting to determine if a company’s current equipment is compatible with new technology.
- Hardware installation and migration, including office moves and transitions between servers.
- Server migrations – companies who outsource their IT staff often need assistance transferring data from old computers to new ones.
2.Software Management
As with hardware issues, IT personnel at companies often face several different problems associated with the daily software. MSPs can provide a variety of services from simple to complex, including:
- Troubleshooting – fixing common issues such as printer errors and connectivity problems.
- Security assessments. Many companies seek help with security audits to ensure they have the latest firewall, anti-virus, and malware protection software installed.
- Licensing – taking the burden off of customers by ensuring they have all necessary licenses to use software.
- Software updates – making sure that the latest versions are installed on all devices, including computers, tablets, and mobile phones
3.Cloud Computing Solutions
Businesses can often require occasional access to unique computing resources available only in the cloud. An MSP can provide various services, including:
- Access to software as a service (SaaS).
- Storage in the cloud to store files and documents.
When looking at service providers, look for someone who can take on multiple roles and partner in your business. The key here is communication: make sure you find a company that will keep you up-to-date on what’s going on with your network and devices and give you insight into the outcome of each project.
