Managed Service Providers Vs Traditional IT Support

For any business, maintaining an efficient and secure IT infrastructure is crucial to its success. However, the question of whether to use Traditional IT services or outsource to a Managed Service Provider (MSP) can be a difficult decision.

While Traditional IT offers greater control, it can also be costly and time-consuming. MSPs, on the other hand, can provide businesses with access to expertise, scalability, and cost savings, but may also lead to a loss of control and customization. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of both Traditional IT Support and MSPs to help businesses make an informed decision on which option is best for their unique needs.??

The article structure is below just in case you want to skip ahead!?

• What characteristics define Managed Service Providers and Traditional IT Support??
• The benefits of Managed Service Providers
• The benefits of Traditional IT Support?
• The cons of Managed Service Providers
• The cons of Traditional IT Support?
• Final thoughts?

Below is a simple breakdown of how Traditional IT Support and Managed Service Providers generally operate:

Traditional IT Support

• A reactive approach to IT issues: IT support only intervenes when a problem arises.
• Typically involves a break-fix model, where IT support fixes problems after they occur.
• IT support is often provided on an ad-hoc basis, meaning there is no long-term service agreement in place.
• The responsibility of maintaining IT infrastructure falls solely on the client.

Managed Service Providers (MSPs)

• A proactive approach to IT issues: Managed Service Providers continuously monitor and maintain IT systems to prevent issues from occurring.
• Typically involves a preventative maintenance model, where IT services are regularly performed to prevent issues from occurring.
• A long-term service agreement is usually in place, outlining the scope of services and response times.
• Support is typically provided by the MSP provider directly, resulting in faster response times and a more streamlined process.
• The responsibility of maintaining IT infrastructure is shared between the client and the managed IT service provider.

What Are The Benefits Of Traditional?IT Support??

Availability?

One of the primary benefits of traditional IT support is that it can help to solve problems immediately so long as staff are available. When employees have access to reliable IT support, they are able to work more efficiently and effectively. Additionally, well-supported employees are less likely to experience downtime due to technical issues, which can further increase productivity.?

Complete Control Over Internal Systems?

Another benefit of Traditional IT support is that have complete control of internal systems. When businesses outsource their IT support needs, they are able to avoid the high costs associated with maintaining an in-house IT department. Additionally, outsourcing IT support can help businesses to avoid the costs associated with training and managing internal IT staff.?

What Are The Benefits Of?Managed Service Providers??

Increased Productivity?

One of the primary benefits of Managed Service Providers can help to increase productivity in the workplace. When businesses have access to reliable and efficient IT systems, their employees are able to work more quickly and efficiently. Additionally, MSPs can help to reduce downtime in the event of an IT issue, as businesses will have a team of professionals on hand to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.?

Reduced Costs?

MSPs can help reduce IT costs by providing proactive maintenance and support, reducing the likelihood of expensive downtime and system failures. They can also offer flexible pricing models that allow businesses to pay only for the services they need, without the expense of hiring full-time IT staff. Additionally, by leveraging their expertise and economies of scale, MSP providers can help businesses make cost-effective technology decisions, such as choosing the right hardware and software solutions that meet their needs and budget.

Improved Security + Training??

Managed Service Providers can help improve security in the workplace by providing regular education updates and staff training. This includes educating employees on best practices for password management, identifying phishing emails, and safe browsing habits, among other security-related topics.

What Are The Cons Of Traditional IT Support??

Cost

A main con of traditional IT support is cost. Hiring an in-house IT team or outsourcing to a traditional IT support provider can be expensive (salaries start at $64,000), especially for small and medium-sized businesses. Not only do you have to pay for the salaries and benefits of IT staff, but also for the hardware and software they need to do their jobs effectively.

Limited Support Hours?

One of the primary disadvantages of traditional IT support is that it is often only available during business hours. This can be a problem for businesses that operate 24/7, as they may not be able to get the support they need when they need it. Additionally, traditional IT support can be expensive, as businesses typically have to pay for after-hours support.?

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Slow Response Times?

Another disadvantage of traditional IT support is that response times can be slow. This is because businesses typically have to wait for a technician to come on-site in order to resolve an issue. This can be frustrating for businesses, as they may not be able to operate at full capacity until the issue is resolved.?

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Inadequate Support?

Another issue with traditional IT support is that it can often be inadequate. This is because businesses typically only have access to a limited number of technicians, who may not be able to resolve all of the issues that a business faces. Additionally, traditional IT support often does not include proactive maintenance, which can help to prevent issues from occurring in the first place.

What Are The Cons Of A Managed Service Provider??

Lock-In Contracts?

A downside of MSPs is that they often require businesses to sign long-term contracts. These contracts can be difficult and expensive to get out of if a business is unhappy with the service they are receiving. Additionally, if a business decides to switch to another provider, it may be required to pay an early termination fee.?At Maverick Gardner we offer clients both month-to-month and long-term contracts so that businesses can get the most out of their business goals!

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Dependence on Service Provider?

Another potential disadvantage of Managed Service Providers is that businesses can become too dependent on their service provider. This dependence can make it difficult for businesses to make changes or upgrades on their own, as they will need to rely on their service provider to do so. Additionally, if there are problems with the service provider, it can disrupt the entire operation of a business.

Final Thoughts?

Choosing between a Managed Service Provider or Traditional IT Support can be a difficult decision, but it is an essential one to make. MSPs allow companies to outsource their administrative and operational technology functions, providing on-demand access to experienced teams that offer cloud-based solutions as well as enhanced security protocols. ?

Traditional IT support, on the other hand, often involves hiring in-house staff and managing different service plans with multiple vendors. Depending on the requirements of your business, either approach may prove beneficial; for those who value flexibility and scalability, Managed Service Providers might be the safer choice. Taking the time to consider both options carefully is highly recommended so you can find the best fit for your business!??

Maverick Gardner is a growing leader MSP (Managed Service Provider) in IT Consulting, Infrastructure. IT Services, Support and Maintenance Services, Cloud, Deployment and Procurement, Disaster Recovery, IT Outsourcing Services, and more!?

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