Technology in the modern world underpins nearly every aspect of business, and as companies expand and markets become more competitive, the need for robust IT solutions is now more critical than ever.
Managed IT services provide the solution – a service allowing businesses to harness the full potential of technology without bearing the costs of hiring an in-house team.
Managed IT is an excellent proactive service, but what is it exactly, and how can it benefit your organisation?
What is managed IT services, exactly?
Managed IT services are when a company hires an outside team (called a managed service provider, or MSP) to take care of their technology needs. This can include things like making sure computers and networks run smoothly, fixing issues, keeping data secure, and updating software.
Instead of dealing with tech problems themselves, businesses pay the MSP to manage everything for them, so they can focus on their main work. It’s like having your own tech support team but from another company.
Plus, by using managed IT services, businesses can gain access to the latest technology without the hassle of constantly investing in new equipment or software.
What are the main types of managed IT services?
There are so many types of businesses out there, each with their own technology needs and goals. Because of this, there are also a variety of managed IT services, offering specific solutions tailored to the industry and operational requirements of different businesses.
At ADITS, we work alongside your business to provide managed IT services that are practical and aligned with your specific needs. Here’s a breakdown of the major managed IT services we offer:
1. Network monitoring and infrastructure management
When we talk about network and infrastructure management, we’re referring to how businesses keep their IT systems – like servers, routers and data centres – running effortlessly. These systems are pivotal for a business’s daily operations, so making sure they work without interruptions is key to keeping everything on track.
That’s where managed service providers (MSPs) come in. They monitor and maintain your infrastructure to catch issues early, fix problems fast, and optimise overall performance. How does this work?
- Monitoring works by keeping a close eye on everything from traffic to bandwidth usage to make sure nothing is slowing down or crashing.
- Performing regular upgrades and hardware checkups to ensure systems stay fast, secure and efficient.
- Tweaking networks for better speed and reliability – this is super important for things like video calls or cloud services.
2. Cloud Services
Cloud services refer to managing your business’s digital infrastructure, applications, and data storage within a cloud-based environment. This means, that instead of relying on physical servers, cloud solutions allow businesses to host their systems, data and applications online. Cloud services give you flexibility and accessibility without being tied to specific hardware.
A managed IT service provider like ADITS helps businesses transition from traditional, on-site hardware to cloud-based infrastructure. This involves handling the planning, migration, and ongoing management of a company’s cloud resources to ensure a seamless shift with minimal disruptions to day-to-day operations.
For example, imagine a growing e-commerce company using managed IT services to migrate its website and customer data to the cloud. The provider might assist the company by setting up a scalable cloud infrastructure that can handle high traffic volumes during peak shopping seasons, and scale down during quieter periods.
In this example, the managed IT service allows the business to fully leverage the flexibility and cost-efficiency of cloud solutions, delivering all the benefits without the need for expensive in-house IT expertise.
3. Security services
Security services are all about protecting your business’s IT systems and data from cyber threats. A good way to think about this is as a digital shield that safeguards your network from hackers, malware, viruses, and other security risks.
So what is included in security services?
- Firewalls: These act as a barrier between your internal network and external threats, monitoring traffic to block any suspicious activity.
- Antivirus software: Detects and removes malware, viruses and other harmful software. MSPs usually install antivirus software across all endpoints – such as servers, computers and mobile devices – and configure it to perform regular scans and automatic updates.
- Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): These tools monitor your network for unusual behaviour that could signal a cyberattack, allowing you to act before serious damage is done. Providers configure alerts that notify the IT team of suspicious activity, giving them enough warning for an immediate investigation and response.
- Security audits: Providers perform regular checks on your systems to make sure they are up to date and protected against the latest threats. These audits can include vulnerability scans and penetration testing to identify and address weaknesses before they can be exploited.
- Data encryption: This involves setting up encryption for your data both at rest and in transit, ensuring that, if someone intercepts it, it will remain unreadable to unauthorised users.
- Compliance monitoring: It can be hard to keep up with data regulations. With compliance monitoring, expert providers conduct regular reviews to guarantee your business is following industry regulations.
- Employee security training: Untrained staff are often the weakest link in security. Managed IT services offer regular training sessions and material to help staff spot phishing attempts, weak passwords, and other vulnerabilities to keep defences strong.
4. Backup and disaster recovery
From natural disasters and cyber attacks to software or hardware failures, even the most established businesses can face unanticipated disruptions. Backup and disaster recovery is a major part of IT management, helping businesses swiftly restore operations when unwanted disasters like these strike. Here’s what disaster recovery services cover:
Disaster recovery plans
Having a solid disaster recovery plan is essential for any business, but knowing where to start can be overwhelming. Managed IT service providers help with this by creating detailed strategies that lay out clear, step-by-step procedures for restoring your systems after a major disruption.
At ADITS, we understand that proactive planning is key to minimising downtime and ensuring business continuity. Our disaster recovery solutions focus on developing tailored plans that clearly define everyone’s roles and responsibilities when disaster strikes.
This means that when something goes wrong, your team knows exactly what to do, and you can get back to business as usual, as quickly as possible.
Automated backups
Managed Service Providers set up these solutions to keep your information backed up without you lifting a finger. Instead of worrying about remembering to manually initiate backups, these systems work quietly in the background, making sure everything is saved at regular intervals.
This means you can focus on your work, knowing that if something unexpected happens – like a hardware failure or even a cyberattack – your latest data is safe and sound.
Off-site storage
To boost your data security, MSPs often use off-site storage solutions. What does that mean for you? It means storing your backups in a different location than your primary site. This keeps your data safe, even if something unexpected happens.
For example, imagine you have a disaster at your office. Having your data stored off-site means you won’t lose everything. It’s like having a safety net – your information is secure and can be easily accessed whenever you need it, no matter the circumstances.
5. Help-desk support
Help-desk services are a significant part of managed IT services. They act as the first line of defence when technical issues arise.
For example, imagine you’re in the middle of a major project and, suddenly out of nowhere, your system crashes. You start panicking, thinking about the files you can’t access. In situations like these, help desk services provide quick support, allowing you to rest easy knowing expert assistance is just a call or click away.
Help desk services encompass a wide range of support options, including:
- Remote troubleshooting: Many issues can be resolved quickly without the need for a technician to be on-site. Help desk staff access your system remotely to diagnose problems and apply fixes on the spot.
- On-site support: If a problem is more complex or requires hands-on intervention, technicians can come to your location to provide assistance. This hybrid approach is great because it covers all your bases.
- Incident management: Help desks track and manage all reported incidents, ensuring that issues are logged, prioritised, and addressed swiftly.
- User training: Beyond troubleshooting, help desks often provide training and resources to help users understand their systems better. This reduces the number of issues that arise in the first place.
6. Strategic IT planning
Strategic IT planning focuses on aligning your technology with your business objectives. Think of it as a roadmap that guides how your organisation uses technology to enhance its operations, improve efficiency, and support growth. So, what exactly does strategic IT planning involve? Here are some key components:
- IT roadmap creation: This is your blueprint for the future, outlining the steps needed to reach your technology goals. It includes timelines, milestones, and key performance indicators to measure progress.
- Technology assessments: Regular evaluations of your current IT systems help identify strengths and weaknesses. This makes sure you know where to invest your resources for maximum impact.
- Advice on hardware and software upgrades: As technology evolves, so must your systems. Strategic planning provides insights into when and how to upgrade your hardware and software, keeping you up to speed.
Main benefits of managed IT services
Managed IT services offer several advantages to businesses, particularly those looking to scale operations or improve their IT infrastructure.
Cost efficiency
Hiring an in-house IT team can be a costly move, especially for smaller businesses. Managed IT services offer a more budget-friendly option, providing you access to a team of experts without the hefty expense of full-time salaries.
Plus, with clear, predictable pricing models, it’s easier for businesses to plan their IT spending and avoid unexpected costs.
Proactive support
One of the key differences between traditional IT support and managed IT services is the proactive approach. Instead of waiting for something to break, MSPs monitor your systems continuously, detecting and resolving issues before they cause major disruptions.
Enhanced security
Managed IT services provide state-of-the-art cyber security solutions, helping protect businesses against the ever-growing threat of cyberattacks.
Scalability and flexibility
As your business grows, so do your technology needs, and managed IT services are built to scale with you. Whether you’re expanding to new locations or need extra resources to handle increased workloads, MSPs can adjust their services to fit your changing requirements.
Best of all, this flexibility ensures you can scale up without any disruptions, keeping your operations running smoothly as you grow.
Focus on core business
Outsourcing IT management allows businesses to concentrate more time on the areas that matter most for success. For instance, without the constant worry of managing networks, troubleshooting issues, or handling cyber security, employees can dedicate their energy to innovation, customer service, and growing the business.
Managed IT services vs. In-house IT
When considering IT management options, businesses often weigh the benefits of managed IT services against maintaining an in-house IT team. Here’s what you need to consider:
Internal IT teams
In-house teams offer more direct control over IT operations, but they are often limited by capacity and expertise. Training, hiring and retaining skilled IT professionals can be costly, and many small or medium-sized businesses can’t afford a large IT department.
Managed service providers
MSPs provide businesses with access to a wide range of IT expertise and resources. They complement internal teams by handling routine tasks and offering specialised services that may be outside the scope of the in-house team.
For example, MSPs bring a wealth of experience and up-to-date knowledge, often working with cutting-edge tools and techniques that internal teams may not have the resources or time to master.
How to choose the right managed IT service provider
Managed IT services can play a major role in making your business more efficient and secure, and help maximise your growth potential. Achieving these promising results are only possible with the right provider, so let’s take a look at some important factors when choosing your ideal managed IT service provider:
1. Think about your business needs
The first step is to take a close look at your current IT setup. Do you need better security, more reliable backups, or stronger network management? By understanding exactly what you need, you can find the right provider for you.
When looking for an IT service provider, it’s important to choose one that customises its offerings to fit your unique business needs.
At ADITS, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. We take the time to understand the needs of our customer’s specific goals, challenges and infrastructure to deliver a personalised solution. Our successful projects speak to this commitment to top quality.
2. Check for scalability
As your business expands, your IT requirements will evolve as well. It’s essential to work with an MSP that can scale their services accordingly.
ADITS provides scalable service plans, so you’re not locked into a fixed offering. Whether you’re adding more team members or expanding into new markets, ADITS can adjust to match your evolving requirements.
3. Assess Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
SLAs are the agreements that outline the level of service and response times you can expect. This includes uptime guarantees and how quickly issues are resolved.
ADITS offers transparent SLAs that are designed to give you peace of mind, ensuring your systems stay operational and any problems are resolved swiftly, so your business never misses a beat.
4. Security and Compliance
Cyber security is non-negotiable for any business today. When selecting an MSP, you’ll want to make sure they follow strict security protocols and keep your data protected.
ADITS prioritises the latest industry standards for data security and compliance, so your business stays protected from cyber threats while also meeting any industry regulations.
5. Customer support and reputation
Finally, always look into the provider’s reputation. A reliable MSP should have positive customer reviews and a track record of delivering consistent results.
ADITS is known for offering dependable support, whether it’s through 24/7 help desk services or expert guidance during critical IT decisions. We pride ourselves on building long-term relationships with clients, ensuring you’re always supported as your business grows.
ADITS is your go-to choice for trustworthy managed IT services
Managed IT services are a powerful solution for driving business growth. With managed IT, you’ll have a secure, scalable, and budget-friendly IT setup that’s built to help you reach your goals.
If you’re thinking about managed IT services for your Brisbane, Townsville, or Queensland business, ADITS has you covered! Take a look at our Managed IT Services, get a free consultation, and let us leverage our extensive experience to help grow your business.