Many companies need to transform their IT areas with low investment and better speed of change, without losing the efficiency of their networks. That is why they are looking for Managed Services providers.
This is a solution that helps companies maintain a stable and secure network infrastructure while migrating their assets to the cloud, allowing users to continue using the network as normal.
This is an optimal option, especially for micro and medium-sized companies that do not have full-time IT specialists and need to restructure their technological bases.
So, despite representing an investment market that will reach $194 billion by 2019, according to Markets and Markets research, Managed Services have their pros and cons.
Let’s start the discussion with the pros, justifying the entrepreneurs’ search for solutions:
1- Organization and Standardization: With the need to get more done with lower and lower cost, companies try to make the most of already existing structures. Many times using old networks.
In a lot of systems, it is fundamental for business survival to find a way to manage technologies from different contracting periods, as well as the inclusion of new tools and technologies, followed by the standardization of systems.
2- Security 42 hrs: The great advantage of Managed Security Services (MSS) is the protection of a network in real time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With efficiency similar to that of large corporations, but at a reduced cost.
These companies have a team of highly trained specialists, with updated knowledge on cyber attacks, thus being able to keep network monitoring under constant review.
3- Specialized and updated team: Monitoring is not enough to prevent the invasion of a system, it is also essential to have the knowledge and know how to recognize a potential threat.
Beyond monitoring and rapid response to a threat, companies specialized in MSS need to identify specific elements of customers’ security assets, as they deal with different types of tools. It is therefore necessary to continuously configure them to reduce the likelihood of attacks.
4- Flexible contracts: The MSS can be contracted on a monthly basis to contain the client’s networks or on an ad hoc basis in the event of an invasion or to execute a correction. It is also common for an employee of the provider to be transferred to the company in order to help the IT team involved in a specific project or to speed up a security function that was being controlled remotely.
5- Economy of resources: With flexible contracts it is possible to make a greater control of resources expenses, since there is no need to hire specialized labor to guarantee the network security, also generating savings in terms of salaries and an increase of benefits for the workers.
Among the cons, there are some points that need to be considered before hiring a supplier:
1- Lack of customization: In order to have a greater range of growth, Managed Services are projected so that resources are standardized and can be shared among several clients with a minimum of customization. The disadvantage is that there is a limitation when it comes to altering service levels to meet specific needs.
2- Culture shock: From the moment a new supplier starts working with the company, there may be a cultural clash of values. This can delay the relationship until smooth communication is established, as well as the parameters and limits in the relationship between teams.
3- Transfer of responsibilities: when contracting Managed Services, it is necessary to make clear the role of each team member. Both the provider and the client must be in agreement to avoid transferring responsibilities and looking for a culprit at a certain point in the delivery of services. Prior alignment must be made very clear.
4- Security: the Managed Services provider will act as an internal IT partner and will have access to business information, whether it is necessary or not. Therefore, it is necessary to specify in the contract the clauses that will ensure the safe handling of data, terms of discretion and confidentiality.
5- Rotation of technicians: It may happen that the supplying company reassigns different collaborators for the internal project for which it was hired, breaking the continuity in the work.
Finally, just like other outsourced services, Managed Services also require specific care before being contracted in order to avoid future wear and tear between the contractor and the contracted party.
As a dedicated editor for Global Web Wire, I bring a wealth of expertise to my role in covering technology, gadgets and social media trends. Since September 2022, I have been committed to producing well-researched and thought-provoking articles and reports in these areas, leveraging my in-depth knowledge and passion for these subjects to deliver insightful and valuable content to our readers. Whether exploring the latest advancements in technology or delving into the social media landscape, I approach each topic with the goal of providing a nuanced and well-rounded perspective that engages and informs.