A Comprehensive Guide to Managed Services

1. A Comprehensive Guide to Managed Services

2. "Managed services" is a vague term that can encompass a multitude of things. In this guide, we will explore the world of managed services in the context of IT. In IT, managed services refers to an external IT provider or a managed service provider (MSP), which manages some or all of the IT needs of a company. • As with most business solutions, there is no single answer in managed services. A company can outsource to an MSP for an IT need, for example security as a service, or it can outsource all of its IT needs, with managed packages that are designed to act as a complete technical team. • The goal of this guide is to cover everything a consumer needs to know about managed services, from the different types of solutions available to the pricing models that providers use. Once you have read the Complete Guide to Managed Services, you will be able to make an informed decision as to whether or not managed services are for you.

3. Types of managed services • Backup as a service • Backup as a Service focuses on backup and recovery. With managed backups, all data stored in your infrastructure will be duplicated and stored on a secure external server. The frequency of backups depends on the recovery plan. • A recovery plan, or disaster recovery plan (DRP), sets out what will happen when or if your digital environment fails, setting specific expectations for a managed service provider. Recovery plans revolve around recovery time objections (RTO) and recovery point objections (RPO) that you establish with the MSP. The RTO is an easy concept to understand. It's how quickly you expect your systems to be restored. • The RPO is a bit more complicated. The purpose of the recovery point is the age of the files that you expect to restore. A provider will base how often they run backups on the RPO you set. For example: If you expect files restored after a backup to be no more than an hour old, an MSP should run backups at least every hour. By backing up more frequently, you ensure that if the worst were to happen, your most recent work would be saved.

4. Desktop as a service • With Desktops as a Service (DaaS), a third party hosts the back-end of a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). So when you log into your DaaS, the entire operating system runs from the MSP virtual cloud infrastructure. DaaS can be accessed through software on a computer or online. Not only is DaaS easy to access, but VDI offers an additional level of security. It's a great solution for companies that work with very sensitive data, have Bring Your Own Device policies, and / or have a lot of telecommuters.

5. Analysis of data • With Data Analysis as a Service, a provider will monitor, capture, and analyze network data to help customers implement more effective business solutions. The proposed solutions can lead to anything from a procedural change to increased revenue.

6. Networks and infrastructure • Networks and infrastructure can mean a couple of things. Some managed service providers in IT companies in Durban will maintain the servers virtually, performing maintenance and backups off-site. Others will host and maintain servers in their own data centers or rent space on their own servers. Knowing which is the best option for you depends on the size of your business and / or the amount of data you want to store. Buying and hosting your own server is easily the most expensive option, considering that you need to replace the hardware approximately every 5 years.

7. Software as a service • With Software as a Service, managed service providers distribute applications through the cloud and then act as intermediaries between their business and the software developer. Sometimes you can go straight through the software developer, but by going through the MSP you are guaranteed to always have the latest updates at no extra cost and a more personalized customer service experience. It is the difference between buying food at the supermarket and ordering it directly from the wholesaler.

8. Supporting services • Support services cover technical assistance and troubleshooting needs. They are one of the most popular managed services on the market. With support services, the MSP takes care of day-to-day problems such as password resets or software updates from IT support Durban. Most support services will cover mobile devices, tablets, and printers. Some will even provide on-site solutions when needed.

9. Managed packages • Managed packages are full-service managed solutions designed to act as an internal IT team. These packages combine various managed service solutions. At a minimum, they should include some form of comprehensive security, backup, monitoring, and support services.

10. Managed service alternatives • Choosing the best way to handle your company's IT needs is an important decision, one that can hamper or improve you professionally. Before learning more about managed services like web design Durban, you need to understand how you stack up against the competition. • Sixty percent of IT vendors have moved away from Break-Fix to managed services There are two alternatives to managed services:  • The Break-Fix Model: The practice of only calling IT professionals when there is a problem or when an update is needed.  • In-House IT: Employ a designated IT staff or person within your software company Durban to take care of all your technology needs. • What each has to offer and how they compare to managed services are as different as night and day. Break-Fix is ​​a widely discarded model that can be completely replaced by managed services, while internal IT and managed services play very well against each other. Digging a little deeper into each of them will help you make a smarter IT decision in the long run.

11. Repair of breaks • The Break-Fix model is simply the idea that when a piece of technology “breaks” someone is called in to “fix” it. The rest of the time you cross your fingers and hope that everything is fine. However, hope is not a good business model, which is why 60% of IT vendors have moved from a Break-Fix model to Managed Services.

12. Cost • The Break-fix model charges users for inquiries, repairs performed, and labor by the hour. Budgeting for unforeseen problems is impossible and there is no real way to know if you are paying a fair price. No preventive measures are being taken to avoid future problems either, so with Break-Fix, you are leaving yourself open to unexpected costs. • Networking company Durban services have a fixed monthly price, so instead of worrying about unexpected costs every month, you can easily budget for your IT needs. Most MSPs require a contract, which can put off some clients. It is important to remember that a contract is as beneficial to the customer as it is to the supplier. An MSP contract will ensure that not only are you covered in the event of an emergency, but your provider will work to prevent one from occurring altogether.

13. Trust and control • It is true that with managed services you must place some trust in your provider. They will have full access to your system and will be responsible for its maintenance. Some business owners feel more secure with Break-Fix because they can control why and when they ask for help. • Managed service providers want partnerships based on trust. The truth is that Break-Fix requires as much trust as managed services and offers much less control. You still have to trust someone with your data and systems, but you have little to no control over what they are actually doing. Usually an engineer just comes in, fixes what's wrong, and then sends you the invoice. • Managed service providers encourage collaboration. They want to work with you to find a plan that meets the specific needs of your business. Together, they create a Service Level Agreement (SLA) that outlines everything you can expect from your MSP, including strategic reports, recommendations, and action plans, so you always know what's going on with your systems.

14. Short Sited • The golden rule in IT is that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. With the Break-Fix model, preventive measures are not included. No one is there to detect problems that start small but continue to cause serious damage. With Managed Services, experts are always monitoring your systems for threats and / or irregularities. Plus, they often offer 24/7 technical support, so if you ever feel unsure about an IT issue, you can call, instant message, or email them. • There is also the familiarity factor to consider. With Break-Fix, the engineer who comes to help you will not be as familiar with your system as an MSP you have been constantly monitoring. You will have to pay more for them to become familiar with your system before they can even see the problem.

15. In-House IT • Managed service packages can act as a complete internal IT team. There is something comforting about having someone on site, and anyone who has ever had to call a product support line can tell you that face-to-face interaction is sometimes preferable. • Many companies have an IT department, or even a single IT appointee. In many cases, internal IT and managed services work in perfect harmony. In fact, a CompTIA survey found that only 6 percent of companies that adopted Managed Services laid off IT staff. There are a variety of benefits that come from a partnership with a managed service provider.

16. Freeing up time • The responsibilities of internal IT staff are not limited to maintaining and repairing technology. Much of what in-house IT experts do is find ways your organization can drive productivity, foster growth, and refine your product or service. Too often, IT staff are wasted on minor help desk tasks when they could focus on general items. This is where a managed service provider can help. • Instead of replacing in-house IT with an MSP, you can use managed services to make up for slack and take care of day-to-day tasks. Daily IT management such as help desk or updates is so time consuming that internal professionals often have little to no time to develop new projects. Your IT expert's time would be better spent focusing on business development rather than resetting passwords.

17. Access to experience • No one is an expert on everything, and even the most talented IT genius will have holes in their resume. Maybe you have an engineer who's awesome at programming, but not the best at network management. Instead of hiring another employee to fill that void, you can outsource your network and infrastructure to an MSP. You'll save money and free up your programmer to focus on what they do best. • Outsourcing also gives internal staff access to the latest technology. Staying on top of software updates and new technology can be all-consuming. MSPs can help your internal IT by managing all your third-party software, from cloud solutions to email. The cherry on top is that you have local customer support if something goes wrong, rather than spending hours in the phone tree of a large software conglomerate.

18. But do you need it? • As enjoyable as in-house IT can be, not every business needs it. At a minimum, having a single full-time IT staff member can run a business for between $ 40,000 and $ 60,000. If you are a small business or even a medium-sized business that is not heavily reliant on technology, that price can be unjustifiable. • Managed Services can provide you with all your in-house IT support, at a fraction of the price. As your business grows and you discover the need to hire a full-time staff member, you can simply narrow down your managed solutions to find that sweet spot of support.

19. About Us • Datalink IT Services is a Durban based IT Company that specialises in IT Support & Consulting, Web Design & Development, Software & Android App Development and Cloud Services like Microsoft 365, Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Cloud Backups. • Website - https://www.dlit.co.za/