managed cloud solutions

---

What is Managed I.T. Service?

Managed I.T. is a service that is delivered by an I.T.  service provider that combines flat-rate, unlimited I.T. support for a monthly fee with the proactive monitoring of I.T.  workstations and servers, application support, anti-virus and most other pieces of an I.T. infrastructure.

Managed services are designed to be a model where both the client and the I.T. organizations are aligned so that they work together. In the past an I.T. provider would bill on a break/fix basis as issues arise. Now with managed services, the I.T provider has a vested interest in aligning the organization outcomes to provide a proactive service that minimizes problems.

In simple terms, managed services put the focus back on the I.T. firm. The more problems that your organization has, the more time and resources the I.T. firm needs to spend diagnosing, fixing the issue, then resolving the larger issue. This results in less profit for the I.T. firm and causes it to take more proactive measures to reduce the amount of issues an organization can have. This ultimately aligns both organizations’ outcomes.

• It aligns the outcomes of the organization. An I.T. company is incentivized to do a very good job; they want to minimize problems for your organization because they have KPIs directly linked to the efficiency of your IT.
• Level the Playing Field: Most small businesses cannot afford to match the in-house support services that larger companies maintain. Outsourcing can help small companies act "big" by giving them access to the similar technology, and expertise that large companies enjoy. An independent third-party managed cost structure and economy of scale can give your company a competitive advantage.
• Predictable costs: Rather than incurring large expenses for an IT issue, businesses can instead account for potential problems within a predictable monthly fee
• Complete outsourced I.T. Managed services give you access to a complete I.T. department. You do not just get day-to-day I.T. support; you also get an IT manager and a virtual CIO so you can think strategically about how I.T. fits into your organization.
• I.T. experts give you peace of mind. You are not an IT expert. Managed service providers take care of your IT so you can focus on running your business. For smaller businesses, being able to outsource knowledge and expertise can be an enormous help, as well as having experienced technical support available
• Proactive support. Managed services offer proactive support. So instead of your I.T. firm constantly fixing problems, they will try to identify problems before they happen, keeping your systems up and your problems down.
• Maintenance and upgrades: Organizations no longer need to worry whether software is up to date, as all this is taken care of by the provider. They can also get access to newer technologies which they may not have been able to afford by themselves
• Strategic I.T. planning. What IT systems do you need in 12-  or 24-months’ time? Managed services help you think ahead and give you advice on what you need to be planning from an IT department. This links to proactive support and ensures that your IT infrastructure and software is upgraded and updated to minimize risks such as downtime, viruses and crashes.
• Compliance and Security: Is your firewall up to date? Do you audit your Workstations and Servers? Has your company implemented PCI security standards and work to maintain those standards? By outsourcing a qualified Manages Services company who is familiar with PCI Compliance standards https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org, you can rest assured that your company is minimizing the risks associated with maintaining client data, credit card numbers, sensitive competitive information and more.
• Stay Focused on Your Core Business: Businesses have limited resources, and every manager has limited time and attention. Outsourcing can help your business stay focused on your core business and not get distracted by complex IT decisions.
• Time savings: Outsourcing management of services like security and cloud reduces the amount of time that in-house departments will have to spend on it.

As you can see there are many advantages to a Managed I.T. Service model. In an ever-changing technology market, companies need to align with strategic partners that can help them navigate into the future. Send an email or give us a call at (816) 200-0677 to discuss how CLWWWD can help you with the benefits of managed I.T. services, and how they fit into your organization.