Managed IT services are a range of IT functions that can be provided to the client by a third-party IT specialist. This third-party is commonly known as the Managed Services Provider (MSP). Many companies turn to a MSP to manage some or all of their IT needs. Outsourcing services depends primarily on your in-house resources and budget, with business objectives also coming into the equation.
Whatever you need to outsource, managed IT services are a cost-effective way of getting the very best IT provision for your business. In this post, we will look closer at the cost of these services and what you get for your money.
What is the idea of a managed IT services provider?
In the past, IT support was called in when something needed fixing. Payment was made for the repair service when it was completed. The problem with this model is that the IT support company has a vested interest in the customers systems encountering problems – the goals are not aligned.
Managed IT services have come about as a solution to this disparity, which has caused many problems and disagreements in the past. Today, for a fixed monthly fee, MSPs provide round-the-clock IT support to prevent problems and nip them in the bud if they arise. If something goes wrong, and you can’t fix it yourself, you simply contact your MSP and they will resolve the issue at no additional cost. And there is a Service Level Agreement in place that defines a response time that the provider must adhere to, so you can be assured of a quick solution.
MSPs can often log in remotely and solve the issue without visiting the site, meaning minimal downtime for the client. Altogether, it saves money and time and gets you back to work quickly.
Another key difference between historical IT support is that MSP’s are proactive. They don’t just wait for things to go wrong. They actively monitor and maintain your IT infrastructure to prevent issues from arising in the first place.
What can be included in a managed IT services arrangement?
IT support is the foundation of what is provided by a MSP. But it is not the only thing that can be covered. In fact, you can have almost as many of your IT needs as you need managed on your behalf if you work with a high-quality MSP. Services may include:
- Backup & recovery.
- Customisation, management and support for specific software systems.
- Telephony & VoIP.
- Cybersecurity.
- Cloud hosting.
- Device protection.
- Managed printers.
Depending on the package you purchase with your MSP, all of these things can be covered in your monthly fee. This gives you maximum peace of mind no matter how complex your IT needs are. Without the burden of having to keep on top of these things yourself, you are free to focus on your core business activities and making your company more profitable.
How do managed IT services pricing models work?
So, managed IT services are efficient, convenient and cost-effective. But how does the charging actually work?
In most cases, your managed IT services are paid for via a monthly subscription fee. This makes it an operational expense instead of a capital one, which makes it more predictable and convenient for most companies. The amount you pay will depend entirely on the services you use and the number of users. In the UK, the average is typically £40 – £100 per user, per month.
This enables you to ensure you don’t overspend or pay for services that aren’t applicable to your business. What’s more, when you agree to a longer contract term, you can often access lower prices for your services. A trustworthy MSP will provide you with a quote based on your needs before you commit to anything.
The three most common pricing models for managed IT services are as follows:
- Per User: As you might guess, you are charged a fee for each user of the service in your company, covering all of their devices. It’s a simplistic charging model that is easy to quote and scalable as things change.
- Per Device: In this model, similar to the per user one, you are billed a flat fee each month based on the number of devices supported by the agreement.
- Tiered Pricing: In this model, you get bundled packages with prices increasing through the tiers as more features are added to the service received.
As you explore different options for your MSP, you will likely encounter each of these pricing models in different forms. You will need to compare them along with other things like customer reviews and portfolios, to find the best fit for your needs.
How do I know if I need managed IT services?
Most modern businesses have an IT system in place to facilitate their operations. Technology is becoming increasingly complex, so it’s important to make sure your IT systems are up to scratch and maintain your operational, security and compliance needs.
If you are finding that your systems are becoming outdated, inefficient, or difficult to manage, managed IT services could be the solution. With a MSP at your disposal, you will have access to qualified professionals with expertise that could improve the way your business runs.
If you don’t have an internal IT team, or you are looking to reduce costs relating to your IT systems, look into MSPs and see how they could help you.
Why choose Eventura as your Managed IT Service Provider?
Eventura has been providing managed IT services to countless customers for 20 years. Our talented team of people can help you identify all your businesses IT needs and engineer bespoke IT solutions that have real-world benefits to your business.
We are also NetSuite Solution Providers and Sage 200 Business Partners, offering game-changing ERP solutions crafted to automate and streamline business processes.
If you would like to speak to one of our experts, you can request a free call back here.
