The Separate Components That Make Up Managed IT Services

What Separate Components Make Up Managed IT Services?

Many businesses are looking toward managed IT services to monitor, manage, and maintain their information technology infrastructure – allowing them to reach a range of corporate initiatives, such as more controlled technology expenses, greater availability and performance, and less costly, frustrating downtime. But what are the separate components of managed IT services? First, let’s quickly redefine what an MSP actually is. Essentially, they’re a third-party company that takes over the proactive management of your information technology infrastructure. They use a variety of methods to keep your environment running smoothly with minimal issues disrupting your workday.

Typically, an MSP will provide their services and support for a predictable, flat-rate monthly fee with a service level agreement in place to outline the scope of the relationship. Nowadays, an MSP should act as a trusted partner that helps you use technology strategically to transform your processes and procedures.

The Separate Components of Managed IT Services

Before we look at the separate components of managed IT services, let’s outline the three physical components an MSP will manage for you:

1. Infrastructure including all of the physical elements, such as computers, hardware, networking equipment, etc.
2. Software including any sort of computer programs or databases and online documentation.
3. Platforms which refers to the environment that computer programs run on, such as an operating system.

Most MSPs offer similar services, but let’s take a look at the specific components of a standard managed IT services plan:

1. System administration: All elements of the information technology infrastructure, including servers, hardware, networking equipment, etc. are managed and optimized to help everything run smoothly with minimal disruption.
2. Patch management: All patches will be tested, scheduled, and rolled out upon release to ensure hardware and software, as well as operating systems, stay updated and safe against exploitation.
3. Monitoring and reporting: The network will be monitored around-the-clock to detect and resolve any potential issues – from security threats to bandwidth or performance problems – with regular reports given to you.
4. Help desk support: A help desk support team will be available for any sort of technology-related inquires or challenges so your team is able to work productively without delays or disruptions.
5. Lifecycle management: All products, including hardware and software, come with a lifecycle wherein they’re best used before a specific date, whether it’s an end-of-support date or simply age. They will manage the lifecycle of all products to ensure relevancy.

Typically, you will have the option to take advantage of higher level plans that include backup and disaster recovery, cybersecurity, strategic planning, cloud solutions, compliance support, and other services.