Workplace technology is changing rapidly and getting more complex every day. The work-related computing that once took place within the four walls of an office and inside a secured perimeter is now distributed among many locations and devices. Supporting and securing these different access points and devices have put a lot of strain on traditional IT departments, which are already spread thin. Additionally, businesses today are laser-focused on managing costs and ensuring their IT budget is being used as efficiently as possible.
This has led many businesses to seek managed IT services providers (MSPs) who can help them offload some of the burden and day-to-day management of their IT systems so they can continue to innovate and stay relevant in their industry.
But what exactly are managed IT services, and what types of services do Layer One Networks, a reputable managed IT services provider in Corpus Christi, provide?
Managed IT Services Defined:
Managed services are ongoing proactive IT support and management provided by an IT consulting firm or MSP for a fixed monthly fee. The service can include any IT components but is typically centered around monitoring, managing, and repairing an organization’s technology infrastructure to keep IT systems operating at peak performance and prevent issues before they cause downtime.
As an IT service provider, we want to help businesses understand the different services that make up a comprehensive managed services package so they can make an informed decision about their IT infrastructure and what support they need.
Continue reading to learn about the different managed services offered in our service plans.
Different Types of Managed IT Services:
The types of managed IT services are vast and can be customized to meet the specific needs of any business. Many businesses opt for fully managed services, which is an all-inclusive service that covers every aspect of IT support. While some may only need a few specific services to supplement their in-house IT team.
Here are some of the most common managed services our team of IT professionals provides.
Managed Infrastructure Support:
IT infrastructure is the heartbeat of any business. It consists of all the hardware, software, and network resources that power an organization’s operations. As day-to-day business processes and critical functions are becoming digitized, the infrastructure responsible for supporting these processes must be able to keep up to maintain its optimal performance.
As many different components make up an organization’s IT infrastructure, the managed service offerings for infrastructure support will span across several IT disciplines. These services can include but are not limited to, managing and supporting:
- Networks (Wired & Wireless)
- Security
- Firewalls solutions
- Servers (physical & virtual)
- Storage Area Networks (SANs)
- Backup & Disaster Recovery services (BDR)
- Data Analytics
- And more
Managed Cloud Services:
Cloud Services are becoming a necessity for businesses of all sizes to remain competitive in today’s digital economy. With cloud-based services, businesses can now push toward growth by scaling their services and applications without having to make large upfront investments in hardware and software.
Additionally, because the cloud is an on-demand web-based service that provides file sharing and users with access to their data and applications from anywhere there is an internet connection, businesses can now support remote workforces with greater ease.
When you partner with managed cloud service providers, they will often supply and manage servers that store your data. These servers also act as a data center for your backup, recovery, and disaster management needs.
This will not only give a boost to your IT security but will also save costs related to building and maintaining an in-house data center.
Cloud computing services will include assessment, migration, implementation, and management of:
- IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)
- PaaS (Platform as a Service)
- SaaS (Software as a Service application)
Managed Security Service:
The use of Malware and Ransomware has increased exponentially in the past several years and is likely to grow as cybercriminals become more sophisticated in their attacks. Because of this, it has become essential for businesses to have a comprehensive security solution in place to protect their data and systems from these threats.
When you trust Layer One Networks with your data security needs, you get state-of-the-art security solutions for all your devices, applications, and data that are constantly updated to address the latest threats. Our data security services include:
- Intrusion detection and prevention
- Vulnerability scanning and remediation
- Virus, malware, and spyware removal
- Round-the-clock monitoring and alerting
In addition to the above services, our spam filtering services which supplement firewall protection will also help you keep your inbox clean from phishing emails and other malicious content.
Managed On-site IT Services:
On-site IT services also referred to as managed field services, are the proactive maintenance of your IT equipment and systems located on your premises. With this service, our team of certified IT professionals will come to your office to perform various tasks from start to finish.
This can include anything from:
- Installing and configuring new hardware and software
- Cabling or re-cabling workstations, servers, and network equipment
- Updating firmware and drivers
- Performing system backups
- Troubleshooting IT issues
- Checking event logs and hardware errors to ensure critical patches are kept up-to-date
- Monitoring workstations and resolving productivity-affecting issues
- And more.
When you opt for on-site IT services, you can expect a much more streamlined and efficient IT operation, as our team will be able to resolve any issues before they cause major disruptions. Additionally, we will solely be responsible for scheduling and dispatching techs, managing tickets, keeping track of your inventory, and communicating once the work is completed without you having to lift a finger. The expertise of our local IT staff can go a long way in protecting and maintaining the optimal performance of your systems, which is why we offer this service to all our clients.
Selecting the Right Managed IT Service Provider:
As you can see, many different types of managed IT services are available to businesses today. While each type of service can provide a unique set of benefits, not all services will be a good fit for every business.
When selecting a managed IT service provider, it is important to consider your specific needs and objectives. From there, you can narrow your options to find the best provider to meet your requirements.
Layer One Networks is a leading provider of managed IT services in Corpus Christi. If you are unsure what type of service would be best for your business, our IT consultant service team can help. We offer a complimentary initial consultation where we will get to know your business and IT operation to make recommendations on which services would be most beneficial.
Contact us today to learn more about our managed IT services or schedule a consultation.
Related Reads: What are fully managed services and why it is important.