Managed Services is a term generally used in information technology applications. It is the practice of delegating IT management responsibilities to a third party provider to increase efficiency and productivity of the company.
Taking into consideration the expensive cost of manpower and equipment, it is an effective way for small scale businesses to outsource their IT needs at a very minimal price, instead of creating a whole IT support department.
The person or organization who owns or have absolute responsibility over the company is often called a client or a customer. The person or organization who provides the service, on the other hand, is called the service provider. It is important for both parties agree on the specific services to be rendered at a certain cost before the project begins.
The service provider assumes responsibility over certain aspects of the company by providing proactive services– which means that they are paid on the basis of their ability to keep the network running and not their ability to fix things whenever the network is down.
Many service providers administer their services remotely over the internet instead of sending IT specialists on-site to monitor network activities. Adding to the fact that a high-end server is technically more precise than its human counterpart, almost 90% of network problems can be fixed remotely. This practice saves both parties from a considerable amount of waiting time and miscellaneous expenses.
Managed Services offered by providers are asset management, patch management, malware and spyware management, anti-virus management and remote assistance, to name a few. These are of course bundled with proactive management packages like active directory management, microsoft exchange management, backup management, firewall management, router management, remote assistance and phone support, trouble ticket system, monthly reporting and on-site review.
Due to its proactive nature, Managed Services are typically billed with a fixed monthly fee, making it easier for business owners to predict monthly costs.
Author: Keith Slater
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Beading Necklace
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