In the modern age of fast-paced technological advancements, you need a robust IT infrastructure to keep up with the competition and remain productive.
Setting up a fully functional in-house IT team is often more costly and challenging than many small and medium-sized organizations can afford. That’s why they turn to outsourced IT.
Before jumping into outsourced IT support, it’s important to understand the difference between managed services and professional services.
Businesses commonly choose between these two kinds of services when looking to revamp their IT, but there’s a distinct difference between the two.
Is Outsourcing IT Necessary?
Having expertly managed IT systems not only saves you money and time, but also gives you access to the latest technological tools, innovations, and expertise your business requires to grow.
The use of technology in business has become a necessity, whether or not you feel your business needs it. Whether it’s interacting with customers, maintaining comprehensive records, or storing information, you likely rely on technology in some form.
The truth is, there’s much more to IT services than simple troubleshooting. There are complex IT issues that only an expert can handle, and deciding on solutions that can elevate your business is challenging if you don’t have the right technical know-how.
Experts in the industry will design and implement a customized IT framework that aligns with and supports your business goals. When outsourcing, managed and professional services seem interchangeable at a glance, but they’re not. Your business’s needs will determine whether you need managed services or professional services.
What Are Managed Services?
Managed IT services are a form of IT where a business relies on a third party to manage daily operations. Managed services offer a wide range of IT services and solutions, such as 24/7 IT support, cloud solutions, data backups, cybersecurity, and more. Here are some common offerings from managed services providers (MSPs):
Security
While no business is immune to cyberattacks, some businesses lack the preparedness to combat the risks of data loss. A 2019 data breach report showed that 43% of breaches involved small businesses. Managed services offer a comprehensive security plan to help you strengthen your IT infrastructure against data breaches.
Maintenance
Managed services conduct ongoing routine maintenance checks, implement regular software updates, and tune up your systems to ensure your operations are smooth and secure.
Data Backup
Backing up your data is an important aspect of your business continuity plan. Managed services help you back up your data securely in an off-site location where you can easily recover it and bounce back to business quickly should a disaster occur.
What Are Professional Services?
Professional services, unlike managed services, are offered on demand. IT professionals may be hired for one-off projects or short-term tasks within a company that already has an in-house IT team. Companies may require professional services for a few reasons.
Cloud Migration
Moving applications and systems to the cloud requires professional expertise. An IT professional will make the migration seamless and help you with network integration.
Consulting
Consulting with an expert before undertaking major projects will help you make an informed decision and avoid incurring losses.
Advanced Troubleshooting
Some issues may be beyond your team. In this case, you may need professional help to fix problems on a demand basis.
Managed Services vs. Professional Services
While both services help simplify your IT needs, they differ in time frame and scope of work. Professional services are required on a need-to-need basis to handle specific tasks, while managed services mainly work off-contract and handle a range of organization’s needs daily.
Managed services are generally a better option due to their affordability and range of services, not to mention the advantages of partnering with an entire team that sticks around to understand the nuances of your business.
Get Both with AxiaTP for Your IT Needs
As part of our unique CEE Model, AxiaTP offers professional services as part of our managed IT services solution. This ensures you get the services you need to keep your business up and running efficiently. Get in touch with our qualified team to learn how our managed IT services can help your business achieve its goals.