As a Calgary business owner, you may know that protecting your network is important, but you may not know where to start. Do you hire someone full-time, or do you outsource? Comprehensive solutions, like managed IT services in Calgary, offer business owners a way to protect their most important assets and data without the full-time salary and worrying about turnover.
What are Managed IT Services?
Managed IT services involve outsourcing IT tasks to a third-party vendor. Common services include:
- Monitoring the health and security of networks
- Managing a client’s digital help desk or offering security operations centre as a service
- Managing servers and storage
- Maintaining software updates and performing installations
- Implementing disaster recovery protocols
Small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) can use these services on a subscription basis to achieve a level of IT sophistication similar to larger companies at a fraction of the cost. With third-party IT service management, businesses can maintain smooth and secure operations without the high upfront costs, infrastructure, or talent needed to manage these systems in-house.
History of Managed IT Services
Initially, IT services operated on a break/fix model, with technicians fixing systems only after they stopped working. This reactive approach was time-consuming, labour-intensive, costly, and limited business growth.
As the number of computers increased, the gap between technicians and the systems they could service grew. Managed IT services launched in the early 2000s, shifting to proactive maintenance, upgrades, system monitoring, and issue resolution—preventing problems before they start. With fixed rates and broader service offerings, this efficient and client-satisfying approach became the industry standard for managing IT systems.
The Managed IT Services Model
Managed service providers (MSPs) offer ongoing IT support, including setup, installation, configuration, and monitoring of a company’s networks and endpoints. Unlike reactive IT services of the past, modern MSPs proactively assess IT infrastructure for potential threats and improvement opportunities, providing plans that include software solutions and services to enhance digital architecture and security.
MSPs typically offer services at a flat, recurring rate in tiered levels. According to their specified service level agreement, clients receive more automation and management as service levels increase. Premium service providers can customize plans for their clients so their IT services are designed specifically for their business needs.
MSPs vs. Internal IT Staff
Managed IT services do not make internal IT professionals obsolete. Instead, an IT professional can act as an endpoint liaison, managing the relationship, delivering feedback, and analyzing MSP reports. In outsourced NOC or SOC services, the MSP extends the main team, addressing issues and accelerating service delivery.
By handling routine work, MSPs allow internal IT staff to focus on more complex projects, making MSPs valuable to businesses of any size and at any stage of growth. Co-managed services enable teams to work together to resolve issues effectively.
Categories of Managed IT Services
Managed IT services cover a broad spectrum, depending on business objectives and structure. Key categories include:
Cybersecurity
- Handling software updates and patch management
- Installing antivirus and anti-malware platforms
- Meeting industry compliance standards
- Implementing access controls like multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Educating end users on cybersecurity best practices
- Conducting risk assessments to evaluate cyber defences
Cloud Services
MSPs guide clients through transitioning to cloud environments, offering services like implementing cloud-based remote monitoring and management (RMM) software and cloud app security.
Remote Monitoring and Management
RMM software allows MSPs to remotely monitor and optimize client networks and endpoints, perform routine tasks, and assess network health without disrupting regular operations.
Disaster Recovery
Disaster recovery solutions help clients prepare for natural disasters and cyberattacks, reducing downtime and expediting data recovery. Services include routine system tests, data backups, and implementing disaster recovery procedures.
Benefits of Managed IT Services
Managed IT services offer several benefits, including:
Reducing IT Spending: MSPs provide IT support at a lower cost than creating an internal team, allowing SMBs to scale as needed and accurately forecast IT expenditures.
Leveraging Expert Knowledge: MSPs bring expertise in cybersecurity, industry compliance, and real-world experience, providing invaluable support for mitigating risks and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Bridging the Talent Gap: With a global tech talent shortage, MSPs offer a cost-effective solution to fill IT roles, potentially becoming a permanent solution for IT needs.
Dependable Service: MSPs offer reliable services with clear SLAs, reducing interruptions and ensuring consistent IT operations.
Improving Operational Efficiency: By handling IT tasks, MSPs free up internal staff to focus on priority projects, boosting overall productivity.
Optimize Your Business with IroncladTEK Managed IT Services in Calgary
With Ironclad TEK’s managed IT services, we enhance resiliency, performance, and uptime while reducing stress and costs. Our professional services in Calgary equip you with the tools, knowledge, and resources to advance your business. We manage your IT environment daily, allowing your internal IT team to focus on critical applications and value-creation activities.
For managed IT services in Calgary, we take the worry out of IT. We assess your needs, budget, capacity, and current challenges to design the best solution. Our strategic planning and pay-as-you-grow philosophy ensure you have the optimal services for your current and future IT needs.
