An IT Managed Service Provider is a company that assists organizations with the IT infrastructure, maintenance and other technical assistance, along with handling end-user systems, remotely. Offering services such as technology auditing, remote desktop support, application managed services, among others, IT MSPs ensure business continuity that is key to improving business performance. Unlike outsourcing, MSPs take a holistic approach in offering technology services that meet excellence.

These are the two leading models in the area of IT business support. Break/Fix method is the process of offering IT service support through a fee-for-service model. Under this model, the client is serviced on demand and billed only for that specific service received. Whereas, Managed IT Services refer to the shared responsibility pertaining to an organization’s entire IT ecosystem. Unlike on-demand assistance in break/fix service, MSPs work off-premise to keep the client’s systems and networks well maintained, monitored, secured and updated on time well before the need arises.

Wide range of services is the prime reason that is driving the IT businesses towards Managed IT Services. Owing to the rising demands and pace of releases, organizations are taking a closer approach to maintenance and monitoring. This is when the IT operations demand increased efficiency, improved dependability, enhanced security and compliance, advanced access to emerging technologies, predictable pricing and more. MSPs take care of these aspects as a shared responsibility taking up some part of the organization’s maintenance and operational burden. These advantages make Managed IT Services the businesses’ choice.

IT MSPs assist companies with a wide range of services including network monitoring, backup and recovery, data storage, CRM, technical support among others. With these range of services, IT MSPs promise IT businesses improved business continuity, enhanced IT posture, core business focus, enhanced security posture, technology expertise, improved efficiency, standardized processes, operational efficiency, improved responsiveness, among other business benefits.

Managed Services applies to all businesses looking for IT support. From startups to multinational companies, the Managed IT Services have become the need of the hour for almost every enterprise. In the wake of growing cloud adoption, the IT MSPs are finding relevance among SMBs who often refrain from spending on complex assets and critical storage maintenance. Moreover, staying updated to the changing technology trends and security updates is often a serious challenge that most companies face. MSPs take care of this. So, MSPs work for every organization, irrespective of their size.

Managed services and outsourcing share commonalities but are different in offering and the approach. Experts in both the areas provide you the needed technology and IT infrastructure support. While a consultant service ends with the implementation of a specific requirement, an MSP helps your company’s IT for a long-term improving your organization’s overall IT posture. While an IT consultant lays down the path for effective utilization of IT, an MSP proactively manages and operates the client’s IT infrastructure and end-user systems. While IT Consulting has more to do with advice, managed services deal with the implementation required to run a specific application or a service.