Managed Services vs IT Support Services: What’s the Difference
Maintaining systems is crucial for any business in the modern world. No matter the nature of your company or the industry in which you operate, you have a website – and maybe even a platform – that clients and customers can access to use your service.
As convenient as technology can be, it is not always perfect. Things can go wrong, and there is the risk that this disrupts your business, affects profits and causes disastrous problems for your customers. To overcome this, IT services such as managed services or IT support services are beneficial, but how can you know which is right for your business?
The True Difference Between Managed Services vs IT Support Services
When looking at Managed Services vs Support Services, it can be tricky to see clear distinctions, especially if you have never explored either option before. This guide will give you an idea of which service is right for your business by explaining the differences.
Availability and Monitoring
One key difference between managed service and support services is availability. While support services are usually provided by the software provider, or even the in-house IT team, they are not always available for round-the-clock support. Furthermore, any problems you encounter will require a ticket, and there is no guarantee that the issue will be solved immediately.
Compare this to managed services, and the team will proactively work to solve any problems as soon as they arise, which minimizes the risk of excessive downtime and better protects your business.
Patching and Upgrades
Similarly, patching and upgrades are often only pursued once they are requested when using support services. But, failing to upgrade any software or patch weaknesses puts your system at severe risk of breaches that might cause problems for your organization and data security.
Such upgrades are possible with managed services. Rather than wait for your approval, a quality managed IT service will fix issues and make those crucial upgrades that keep your system in front of competitors to make your business more appealing.
Cost and Cost-Efficiency
Looking at the cost and cost-efficiency is another factor that you should highlight when considering managed services vs support services. Managed services provide an upfront cost that immediately allows you to determine how much you can afford and whether it will fit within your budget. This is ideal for businesses that are working on a tighter budget while still keeping their systems up and running. Even if there are changes to your organization, you will be able to make adjustments to your plan, meaning you will only pay for what you use. Conversely, support services may require ongoing payments even if you do not require any assistance.
Which Type of Support is Right for my Business?
The answer to this depends entirely on how much your company depends on fully operational IT systems. If you require ongoing services that will solve problems as soon as they arise, which will eliminate the risk of downtime and severe loss, then managed IT services are the best choice for you.
Inoperative systems can lead to damaging domino effects for your business and your customers. If they are unable to access your website or platform, they could miss out on potentially vital orders that put their clients at risk.
To avoid all of this and to maintain peace of mind, a managed IT service is the only option for you. However, if you do not require regular maintenance and monitoring, your company may be okay with simple support services.
Choosing the Perfect Business Model for Your Needs
There is a wide range of unique business models that you can consider before choosing between managed services and support services. Most of the time, this comes down to your immediate requirements and how the service will help maintain or improve your network.
This is not the only element to consider, however. You should also remember that cost and cost-efficiency are essential, especially if you are running a small business and need to carefully balance your budget. As you need the most efficient performance for a suitable cost, you may not be able to justify certain expenses when searching for the perfect business model. Still, if there is the chance that a certain model could further impact profits due to lack of support, you should keep this in mind.
How to Help Your Business Thrive With the Right Managed Services
Choosing the right managed services is crucial for any business that relies on 24/7 operation for its networks and systems. If you are searching for a dependable and professional managed service company, look no further than ExterNetworks Managed Services. We pride ourselves on proving top-quality network management at the highest level, allowing your business to thrive without the worry of faults or system failures.
