What Does Managed Services Mean? | Boise MSP Services

In the dynamic realm of IT support, the term "Managed Services" has emerged as a beacon of innovation and efficiency. With our roots embedded in nearly five decades of industry experience, MicroTech recognizes the transformative journey technology has taken, accompanied by the evolution of terminologies. In this comprehensive exploration, we aim to demystify the multifaceted concept of managed services, dissecting it into three pivotal categories:

1. What Managed Services Means to Our Industry
2. What Managed Services Means Here at MicroTech
3. What Managed Services Means for Small Businesses

By exploring each of these facets, we hope to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the world of managed services and its relevance in the modern business landscape.

The Evolution of Managed Services in the IT Industry 

Historically, IT support was entangled in the intricate web of a "break-fix" model. Issues would surface, prompting the dispatch of technicians whose services would be billed post-resolution. This reactive approach led to unpredictable costs and instilled a mindset of "fix-it and forget-it." The contemporary IT support landscape, however, has metamorphosed into a flat-rate billing model known as "Managed IT Services."

This modern model encapsulates an array of remote services, including 24/7 device monitoring, data backup, and proactive network management, all bundled under a predictable, fixed monthly cost. The linchpin of this model lies in the Service Level Agreements (SLAs), meticulously defining the scope of services provided by Managed Services Providers (MSPs). For businesses in pursuit of an IT managed service provider, a profound understanding of SLAs is indispensable for making well-informed decisions.

Managed Services have evolved from the era of mere problem resolution to proactive, holistic IT management. The "break-fix" model, predominant in the early days of IT, posed challenges such as unpredictable costs and a reactive mindset. In the contemporary landscape, the transition to Managed IT Services signifies a strategic shift from a reactionary stance to a proactive, preventive approach.

The advent of remote monitoring tools has played a pivotal role in this evolution. Rather than waiting for issues to manifest, modern IT companies can now provide continuous monitoring of devices and networks. This shift towards preemptive action has not only enhanced the efficiency of IT support but has also established a foundation for strategic planning and risk mitigation.

The Service Level Agreements (SLAs) act as the bedrock of Managed IT Services. These agreements delineate the scope of services offered by MSPs, defining the responsibilities and expectations of both parties. Understanding SLAs is crucial for businesses seeking an IT managed service provider, as it ensures transparency and aligns expectations.

What Managed Services Means to MicroTech

In the nascent days of MicroTech in 1970, the prevailing service paradigm was encapsulated in the "break-fix" model. Remote monitoring tools were nonexistent, and the business landscape bore little resemblance to the digital era we inhabit today. As technology advanced, recurrent issues surfaced, necessitating a fundamental shift in approach. It was then that MicroTech introduced regular network health-checks, venturing out to clients monthly to identify potential issues proactively.

This transformative journey marked MicroTech's evolution into a Managed Service Provider (MSP). Today, MicroTech stands tall as a trusted MSP, rendering ongoing support and administration services for various devices and manufacturer profiles. Despite the evolution and adaptation to technological advancements, our commitment to delivering exemplary service remains unwavering. Thus, for businesses in search of IT managed services in Boise, MicroTech emerges as a reliable partner, steadfastly aligned with their evolving needs.

MicroTech's journey from the traditional "break-fix" model to a proactive Managed Service Provider encapsulates the industry's evolution. The realization that merely addressing symptoms without delving into root causes was insufficient prompted MicroTech to introduce regular network health-checks. This proactive approach transformed our services to align with the evolving needs of businesses, marking our transition to an MSP.

Today, MicroTech's offerings extend beyond mere issue resolution. We are a comprehensive MSP, providing ongoing support and administration services for a diverse range of devices and manufacturer profiles. Our commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements ensures that our clients receive cutting-edge solutions tailored to their specific needs.

What Managed Services Means to Small Businesses

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) navigate a challenging landscape, often grappling with budget constraints while yearning for top-tier IT services. Many managed service providers extend a similar suite of services, encompassing event cataloging, 24/7 IT product monitoring, and assurance of antivirus technology functionality. MicroTech, however, transcends the conventional boundaries of support within the realm of managed services.

Contrary to transactional arrangements with set hours and monthly bills, MicroTech advocates for the establishment of partnerships with its clients. Stepping away from tiered service categorizations, MicroTech stands for excellence, ensuring every service adds tangible value. As an SMB, forging an alliance with an MSP emphasizing efficiency, proactiveness, and expert care guarantees that every IT challenge is met with meticulous attention to detail.

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face unique challenges in the realm of IT management. Budget constraints often restrict access to top-tier IT services, leaving SMBs vulnerable to potential disruptions. Recognizing these challenges, MicroTech redefines the concept of support within the realm of managed services.

The traditional approach of categorizing services into "good," "better," or "best" is replaced by a commitment to excellence at MicroTech. We understand that SMBs deserve nothing less than top-tier IT solutions tailored to their unique requirements. As an SMB, partnering with an MSP that prioritizes efficiency, proactiveness, and expert care ensures that every IT service adds value to your business.

To effectively evaluate MSPs, consider services such as a Support Operations Center for swift issue resolution, regularly scheduled visits for hands-on support, and extended support hours to address unexpected issues outside regular business hours.

If you're wondering how to evaluate MSPs, here are a few services to look for:

1. Support Operations Center
   Sometimes there are simple questions that you or your staff may have about your IT network. Having the ability to call a Support Operations Center is critical to ensure expert service and mitigate potential risk. For example, at MicroTech we have multiple engineers on duty every business day to resolve problems via phone and remote access. Our customers have found this is a great way to get problems solved quickly, and it is a valuable part of our TechCare™ program.
2. Regularly scheduled visits
   Just because you are working with an MSP, doesn’t mean that your partner shouldn’t visit regularly and actually see the network running. While you can pick a virtual MSP, you can’t overlook the value of a local managed services provider. For example, at MicroTech we only support the small business community because it’s important to have our network engineers visit our clients on a regular basis. As we get to know your business and your staff gets to know us, we’ll be able to keep your IT systems humming along and anticipate any needs you might have in the future.
3. Extended support hours
   Just because your contract says normal business hours or 8-5 weekdays doesn’t mean your outage or network issue is going to wreak havoc on your terms. Another value of having a local MSP is if anything happens outside normal business hours, nights, weekends, or even holidays and remote remediation isn’t working, you’ll need someone ready to come on-site until the problem is resolved. The ability to transition quickly for remote support on on-site break-fix and back is something you won’t want to take for granted. 

Don’t Settle for Mediocre IT