Do You Need Managed Services?

First let me explain what "Managed Services" are.

Managed Services are a new way of maintaining computer systems for small and large businesses. These services delivered via the Web by Managed Service Providers (MSPs) include remote monitoring of your system 24/7/365 and proactive maintenance and troubleshooting.

This approach to system maintenance is proving to be a great benefit to companies by significantly reducing down-time and maintenance costs as well as improving system security and overall performance. 

The term Managed Services was originally coined by Dr. Gerard Macioce, a leading expert in the field of organizational leadership and business processes. 

It is the practice of transferring day-to-day related management and maintenance functions to outside providers, called service providers, as a strategic method to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of operations. Managed Services have been in existence for many years, applied to transportation systems, communication systems, utilities, and other enterprises.

Managed Services as applied to small business information systems has grown dramatically over the last few years with the advent of web-based monitoring systems. These systems allow MSPs to deliver these services at a reasonable cost.

The other driving force is that business owners are finding these benefits very attractive:

1. Increased operational efficiency
2. Reduced operating costs
3. Cost-effective access to enterprise-level support
4. Minimum downtime
5. Allows the focus to be on running their business, and not their vendors
6. Piece of mind from knowing that their environment is monitored 24/7/365

Do you need Managed Services?

Take this test to determine if you managed services would benefit your business.

1. Does your computer network shut down from time to time, are users having to reboot their computers to often?
2. Are your business operations dependent upon access to central server or database in order to serve customers?
3. Do you have frequent on-site technical support service calls and expense?
4. Is yours an e-commerce-driven business that requires rapid real time transactions?
5. Do you and your employees rely on e-mail to communicate with clients, vendors and partners?
6. Are you surprised or unhappy with how much you spend on information technology each year.
7. Are you worried about the security of your valuable data, wondering whether you are protected from viruses or other threats?

If you answer yes to one or more of these questions, your business will benefit managed services.

For more information on SWK's Managed Service offering "NetUp" call Matt Hahn at 973-758-6117 or e-mail him at matt.hahn@swktech.com

Read more on Managed Services in these articles by Russell Morgan, founder and current president of Information Technology Solution Providers Alliance (ITSPA), he has more than two decades of technology industry experience including product management, marketing, operations and systems development in both large and small companies.

What are managed services? How do you know if you need them?