Which IT Functions, Get Delivered Through Managed Services?

These days, it’s almost like ordering from an IT managed service provider’s menu. Just about every type of IT function gets outsourced to an MSP. When your company needs several individual offerings; the MSP has a solution for those specific IT function needs. What about a comprehensive end-to-end service? Once again that provider has just the right answer for those situations too!

What Are The Nine IT Functions Delivered Through Managed Services?

The different varieties of managed IT functions will vary. However, should you only want to outsource a single service, i.e., managed communications, a third party MSP would assist you. On the other hand, let’s say your business IT needs is now at the point where an integrated suite of services is the right choice.

Where would you turn? And once again, that same managed service provider, would have a plan and possibly an integrated suite of service packages, that get tailored to your company’s IT needs. To get you started, we’ve gone ahead and listed nine standard IT functions that get delivered through managed services.

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE & DATA ANALYTICS

Managed Business Intelligence (BI) is a comprehensive term encompassing data analytics and other reporting tools that help in decision making using historical data. Managed Data Analytics focuses on algorithms to determine the relationship between data offering insights.

CLOUD INFRASTRUCTURE

Managed Cloud Infrastructure enables MSPs to manage cloud infrastructure by standardizing interactions between cloud environments. It also allows greater control over specific services to outsource while achieving interoperable cloud infrastructure management between consumers and service providers.

COMMUNICATIONS

Managed Communications is a merging of data, voice, and video on the same IP Network. Along with that comes a managed contact center. The center will combine two sections into one. On one side there are the traditional call center features. On the opposite side, is the intelligent IP call routing, integrating email, phone, web, IM, and fax.

NETWORKS & INFRASTRUCTURE

Managed Networks and Infrastructure includes IP Virtual Private Networks widely used for secure, high performance, cost-effective networking. When handled it eliminates the cost of maintaining a data center via a Service Level Agreement (SLA), as Wide Area Network (WAN) and Local Area Network (LAN) services do.

PRINT SERVICES

Managed Print Services (MPS) performs a requirements assessment before proceeding. Based on the results, then a partial or complete replacement of existing hardware is reviewed. The equipment may include faxes, photocopiers, printers, scanners, and any multi-function product/printer/peripheral (MFP) devices. The managed service provider will oversee and service equipment, and provides parts and supplies.

SECURITY SERVICES

Managed Security Services (MSS) are network security services that get outsourced to a service provider. The “defense-in-depth” functions include 24/7 monitoring and management of firewalls and intrusion detection systems. The MSS also responds to emergencies, performs security assessments and security audits, oversees patch management and upgrades.

SOFTWARE AS A SERVICE

Managed Software as a Service (MSaaS) is a managed service: providers will deliver, host, improve and update applications for clients. MSPs do resell this service and assist with the integration of cloud and on-premises apps. The MSaaS helps organizations with analytics, implementation issues which include hardware, hosting services and software, for a predetermined and contractual time frame.

SUPPORT SERVICES

Managed Support Services takes care of traditional Help Desk features, i.e., the Help Desk functions might be Ticketing for IT Support. Support services get offered in tiered models. Typically provided in blocks of hours or unlimited time frames. Layered models regularly get offered in bundled, On-Demand or On-Site, support packages.

WIRELESS & MOBILE COMPUTING

Managed Wireless and Mobile Computing enable wireless capabilities without incurring the capital expense (CapEx), the time and financial expenditure associated with implementation. With managed WMC there is an increase in productivity and collaboration and a decrease in deployment effort and complexity.

What Are Other IT Functions Getting Delivered by an MSP?

The list above is your nine essential IT functions delivered by managed service providers. Below is another list of, a bit more specific IT functions you could outsource as well:

• Managed IP VPNs – Virtual Private Networks is the most widely used technologies for cost-effective, high-performance, and secure networking. A VPN permits users to connect over a public internet connection to access their main company network remotely. That allows each employee to work from home or when traveling, while connecting to the company’s intranet, giving them access to all their shared network files.
• Managed hosting and storage – These managed IT functions eliminate costs that will skyrocket when purchasing and maintaining onsite equipment. On top of that, there is the floor space, then hiring personnel, and finally ongoing IT training. Tapping into the service provider’s expertise, hardened facilities, and guaranteed SLAs reduces any company or organization’s expenses.
• Managed WAN services – Service providers do offer a broader range of managed Wide Area Network connectivity services. A short list would include ATM, frame relay, metro ethernet, multiprotocol label switching, and private lines.
• Managed LAN services – Service providers can control a company’s Local Area Network over their system, helping to reduce total cost of ownership. Without managed services, the cost to maintain and update a network increases proportionally with increased network usage.