Are you trying to decide if managed services or a traditional IT support team are right for your business? This can be a difficult decision as there are distinct advantages and disadvantages to both approaches. With so much information available online, it is important to understand the differences and make an informed decision that aligns with your company goals and objectives. In this blog post, we will compare managed services versus traditional IT support in terms of features, cost-effectiveness, scalability, ease of use, and more. This is to ensure you have the necessary data to make an informed decision about which is best for your business.
What are Managed Services?
Third-party companies specializing in IT support provide Managed Services. They typically offer a wide range of services, from basic IT support to more advanced solutions such as cloud computing, network security, remote monitoring, and management. By outsourcing your IT needs to a managed service provider (MSP), you can save time and money. MSPs already have the necessary staff, resources, and expertise available to ensure your systems are always running. Additionally, since MSPs often offer 24/7 monitoring and maintenance services, you don’t have to worry about ensuring continuous uptime or dealing with any potential issues that may arise during off-hours.
What is Traditional IT Support?
Traditional IT support involves having a dedicated in-house team of IT professionals. This approach can be costly since it requires upfront investments in equipment, software, and personnel. Additionally, these teams may not always be available in the event of an emergency, as they will likely have business hours that follow traditional work schedules. In terms of scalability, many businesses find themselves limited by their existing staff size when attempting to implement new technology or expand upon existing infrastructure.
Difference Between Managed Services vs Traditional IT Support
When considering managed services compared to traditional IT support, there are several key differences to think about.
Cost-Effectiveness
When it comes to cost-effectiveness, managed services are typically more affordable than traditional IT support. The service provider takes on all the upfront costs associated with hiring and training a full staff for your IT needs. Furthermore, if any issues arise during off-hours or holidays, MSPs can provide immediate assistance, because they have teams available on a 24×7 basis. On the other hand, traditional IT support requires larger investments upfront and ongoing costs for each additional employee on your team.
Ease of Use & Scalability
In terms of ease of use, managed services are typically easier to implement than traditional IT support. MSPs handle all aspects from setup to maintenance and monitoring. Additionally, scalability is often much simpler with managed services, since it is easy to add or remove users in a fraction of the time required for manual user management. Traditional IT support can be difficult to scale quickly when compared to managed services and could require additional personnel if your company grows rapidly.
Availability and Monitoring
Finally, when it comes to availability and monitoring, managed services have the advantage. This is because most MSPs provide 24×7 monitoring and maintenance. This means you can be sure that your systems are always up-to-date and secure. On the other hand, traditional IT support teams typically only provide service during normal business hours. This schedule may not be convenient for those with after-hours needs or with system issues occurring outside of regular working hours.
How to Choose Between Managed Services and Traditional IT Support?
When considering the option that is best for your business, it is important to evaluate your needs in terms of cost-effectiveness, scalability, ease of use, and more. If you require access to highly skilled personnel or the ability to easily scale up or down as needed, managed services are likely a better option than traditional IT support. Conversely, if you have the resources available upfront to invest in an in-house team and do not need around-the-clock monitoring or maintenance services, then traditional IT support may be the way to go. Ultimately, it is up to you to weigh the pros and cons of each approach and decide which is best for meeting your IT needs.
Bottom Line
Managed services and traditional IT support offer different advantages, depending on the needs of your business. With managed services, you can expect cost savings, scalability, ease of use, and round-the-clock monitoring. At the same time, traditional IT support offers access to skilled personnel and more control over your IT infrastructure. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each approach to decide which is best for meeting your specific needs.
Resource: https://www.bmc.com/blogs/managed-services-vs-traditional-it-support-whats-the-difference/
