Many of our clients have asked the fair question ... "What am I really getting when I purchase Managed IT Services?"  and more importantly "What are the different types?"

Answer: 

First and most importantly, what you should be getting is 24/7/365 Network Monitoring. 

The secondary list of services are huge and different with each IT company.  Most IT companies include some level of repair, software patches, malware removal, spyware removal and antivirus updates.

The important key to purchasing Managed IT Services and what most companies do not reveal is who, or what, is doing the "behind the scenes" work.  There are three different types of Managed IT Service Programs.  I have categorized them below for simplification...

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 hop up, drive over to your office and try to repair it with the spare parts that he keeps in the back of his car. 

2.       Managed Service Application - This is usually offered by an IT person or company that works 8-5 during the day but a computer system (software application) monitors your system during off hours.

3.       Combination Machine and Boots on the Ground - This system offers a combination of software application and computer technicians.  They are available during business hours for "hands-on" work.  Some have emergency after hours technicians that make service calls.

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 have 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 networks 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.