Business technology is rapidly evolving, and the IT environment has grown even more complex in the past few years. In order to keep pace, companies must find the right technology partner. Outsourcing IT services is now used to either supplement or replace IT department employees. Typically, the categories of IT services can be divided into the three levels of MSPs (managed service providers) discussed below.

Three Types of IT Services

1) Lower-Level – At their most basic “pure-play” offering, an MSP will provide IT support for an organization’s computer systems and network. Their tasks will include software installation and the integration of hardware with an existing infrastructure. One key MSP responsibility is system monitoring, which tracks the performance, functionality, and safety of software.

An MSP will advise their client of a technical problem’s risks and recommend a course of action. The client will then personally take the measures to deal with the threat. In addition, a pure-play MSP will also not be responsible for considering a client’s IT planning and business objectives.

2) Mid-Level – This next provider level for managed services is considered a value-added MSP. Along with offering all necessary support, a mid-level MSP also provides a complex range of technical services. After the MSP has made a client’s software system functional, their staff will then monitor the programs for performance, technical issues, and cyberthreats.

This MSP provides ongoing software maintenance, ensuring programs are updated for new versions and security patches throughout the client’s IT network in a timely manner. A mid-level MSP also offers important scalability planning, enabling their client to expand or decrease their services as determined by the current needs of the company.

3) High-Level

A high-level MSP offer outsourced IT services to their clients’ businesses. A company would receive the support and protection a mid-level MSP provides along with additional services. A high-level MSP will also provide support for an organization’s communications services, data analytics, wireless network, and much more.

A client would also be able to securely access a high-tech computer networking system that their authorized personnel can utilize from any place and at any time. At this level, a client would be able to subscribe to software-as-a-service (SaaS) software through the MSP.

Part 2 will discuss Networking & Infrastructure and Security Management services that can be offered by an MSP.

Alpha Business Support

Choosing an expert computer technology-support provider is an important decision for your business. Alpha has been a trusted partner of many companies in the Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Annapolis areas since 1990. For affordable client-focused network consulting services and solutions, please call Alpha today at (410) 295-9500.