by Libby Lucas
If money is tight and you are getting rid of your in-house IT guy, you are probably looking at Managed Services as a replacement.
The important issue to research is not WHAT an IT Company offers but WHO is "behind the scenes" managing your network.
Here's my list of the basic types of Managed IT Services on the market today.
1. "The Trunker" - (This is the one to avoid.) This is computer guy that may, or may not, be Microsoft Certified. His definition of Managed Services is that if you have a server failure in the middle of the night, he'll drive over to your office and try to repair it with the spare parts that he keeps in the trunk of his car.
2. Managed Service Application - A professional technician manages your network and troubleshoots during the day but a computer system (software application) monitors your system after hours. Not a bad choice if you have limited funds but if your server fails after hours there will not be anybody to attend to the issues.
3. Combination Machine and Boots on the Ground - This operation offers a combination of software application and computer technicians. They are available during business hours for "hands-on" work. The company has emergency after hours technicians that make service calls but the price is double!
4. Combination Machine, Outsourcing and Certified Boots on the Ground - This is the one you want! A software application monitors your network 24/7/365. It is backed up by engineers in a country that has daytime hours while the rest of us are asleep. They patch, repair and call in alerts through the night. During business hours Microsoft Certified Engineers review the notes on their assigned networks, administer repairs and make site visits when necessary.
For more information on Managed IT Services, please send me an email - llucas@ccpteam.com or visit our Managed IT Services web page.