Break Fix used to be the go-to model for IT services for a long time. Recently though there has been a paradigm shift from this traditional model towards managed IT services. In fact, the managed services market is expected to grow to $193 billion by 2020, according to an article by CompTIA.
Although the break-fix model did not involve any monthly fees, the model led to low accountability. It also resulted in lower productivity and higher downtime. This was because the break-fix model involved no monitoring. By the time the issue was detected and fixed, a great deal of damage had already been done. Due to the many limitations of this model, managed IT services evolved as the most efficient solution.
Here are some of the main advantages of managed IT services.
1. Lower Costs
The managed services model is extremely cost-effective. A managed IT services provider would be responsible for the complete infrastructure, so companies can downsize their own on-premise infrastructure. This not only results in saving the cost of equipment but also lowering energy expenses. Moreover, companies do not have to spend on training, licensing and consulting costs.
Since most of these services function on a subscription model, companies can customize the service level agreement (SLA) according to their unique requirements. Since the costs are predictable and paid on a monthly basis, they also allow companies to plan their budgets better.
2. 24/7 Monitoring
Something that no business owner would want to see is their employees sitting idle because of some IT issue or internet failure. In fact, according to a blog post by leading research firm Gartner, IT downtime on average costs organizations $5,600 per minute, which translates to more than $300,000 per hour.
In the case of managed services, constant monitoring of the systems is done by experts for any irregularities or threats. Potential threats can be dealt with immediately, before they cause any damage to your systems, according to experts at GOBI Technologies. In the worst-case scenarios, such as your system going down, your IT infrastructure would be up and running with the help of experts with minimal downtime.
3. Compliance
With the marketplace evolving at a rapid rate, being informed of the compliance laws and regulations can be difficult. With managed IT services, compliance becomes easy. This is especially true for the medical sector. Having a comprehensive knowledge of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in this industry is vital. Compliance with other regulations such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard and Sarbanes–Oxley Act, and Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act becomes simple.
4. Better Vendor Management
Dealing with multiple vendors can be challenging, especially if employees do not have sufficient experience in this field. A managed services provider can make your job easier by dealing with vendors directly on your behalf. By outsourcing vendor management, companies can coordinate with a single partner. This helps in troubleshooting and resolving any issues directly and promptly.
5. Security
When companies choose managed IT services, they are assured of improved security. In fact, the chances of a data breach caused by common external issues are reduced by 50% by choosing the managed services approach. Moreover, accidental breaches are reduced by adopting this model.
The managed IT services model has several advantages. However, to leverage all the benefits, it is important to select a trusted and experienced service provider. Be sure to do thorough research before making a decision.
Marcelo Fincher is a blogger & writer on technology related topics with years of experience in studying technological advancements. In his spare time, Marcelo likes to read books and take a walk on the beach.
