Introduction to managed services

A managed service is the practice of transferring day-to-day operations and responsibility to a third party, such as a managed services provider. This is a strategic method of improved, effective and efficient operation of the IT infrastructure of any company or organization.A managed services provider (MSP), is typically an information technology (IT) services provider, who manages and assumes responsibility for providing a defined set of services to their clients either proactively or as they determine that the services are needed. Most MSPs bill a flat or near-fixed monthly fee, which benefits their clients by providing them with predictable IT support costs.

Advantages

1. Access to new technology: Using managed services, you are eligible for all the updates and upgrades of the software and applications that you are using. Also with a click of a button you can use any new application that is provided by the MSP (Managed Service Provider).
2. Lower cost of ownership: Instead of investing in IT equipment, bandwidth and IT staff, companies can take advantage of the Web-based applications through managed services and focus on core activities. The technology is owned and managed by the service provider, and is therefore constantly updated and maintained, in consequence, saving companies many of the unpredictable costs and risks that are related with upgrades, patches and maintaining the Information Technology staff to run the software. Total Costof Ownership (TCO) is much lower compared to premise-based solutions since hardware and software costs are reduced signifigantly.
3. Improved service and support: Organizations using managed services, can deploy by themselves any application, anytime without waiting from an IT person to respond to their request since all the applications are offered as a service and on-demand.
4. Flexibility: With managed services technology, organizations have the flexibility to grow without the need of altering their inhouse equipment. Everything is offered on-demand.
5. No maintenance costs: All the costs in relation with maintenance and support, do not apply when you are using managed services. The maintenance and supprot costs are included in the monthly flat-rate.
6. Backup: Backup Service is fully available from every MSP. There is no need to worry about your backups. The MSP is doingt his for you based on the agreement that you have.

Avgoustinos Constantinides
IT Consultant
IBSAC Intelligent Business Solutions Ltd
http://www.ibs.com.cy