With technology becoming more advanced and essential for businesses, relying on internal IT staff alone may no longer be sufficient. Outsourcing certain IT needs to managed service providers can help fill expertise gaps, ensure 24/7 support, and focus internal staff on strategic tasks. This article will explore 8 key types of IT services businesses commonly outsource to improve efficiency and support growing technical demands.
1. Network Services
Network connectivity and infrastructure form the backbone of any business. Outsourced network services provide around-the-clock monitoring and maintenance of your servers, switches, firewalls, VPNs, and more. Professionals continuously test bandwidth usage, assess security vulnerabilities, update firmware, install patches, and troubleshoot connectivity issues before they impact productivity. They can also plan network upgrades to support new applications or offices. Relying on network specialists allows your internal staff bandwidth to focus on other priorities.
2. Device Management
From desktop computers to mobile devices, managing a fleet of technology can be challenging and time-consuming. Outsourced device management services remotely monitor, provision, update, patch and troubleshoot all endpoints from a centralized console. This automation improves security posture, extends hardware lifecycles, and speeds issue resolution. Device management also includes inventory tracking, asset tagging, software deployment, and reporting capabilities for expense management and purchase planning.
3. Help Desk Support
On-site IT support is not always feasible, especially for distributed workforces. Outsourced help desk services provide a single point of contact for all user issues via phone, email, chat, or ticketing. Highly trained technicians triage and resolve technical problems, install applications, reset passwords, and answer “how to” questions. Some plans offer remote access and screen sharing to visually troubleshoot complex matters. Comprehensive support ensures teams remain productive regardless of their location.
4. Cloud Services
Leveraging cloud platforms can streamline operations and reduce upfront infrastructure costs. Working with a cloud specialist accelerates migration projects, optimizes spending through a pay-as-you-go model, and maintains security and compliance. Service providers configure and maintain cloud environments, platforms as a service, backups, disaster recovery, and more so your staff can focus on workload deployment and daily use. They offer industry expertise to scale resources on-demand during peak periods cost-effectively.
5. Cybersecurity Management
With continually evolving cyber threats, ensuring adequate security controls requires a dedicated focus and skillset. Outsourcing security operations to an MSP bolsters protection beyond limited in-house capabilities. Experts implement firewalls, antivirus definitions, endpoint detection and response, vulnerability scanning, and patching services based on risk profiles. They monitor infrastructure 24/7 with SIEM tools to identify malicious activity early. Some providers also offer digital forensics and incident response in the event of a breach. Their experience helps maintain compliance without adding headcount.
6. Application Support
Specialized applications are critical to business processes but can be challenging for internal teams to maintain proficiently. Application support packages ensure software runs optimally and maximizes available functionality. Service providers install, configure, and update third-party programs, troubleshoot issues, develop integrations, and provide dedicated help desk support. Their expertise augments capabilities and prevents costly downtime or workarounds from limited in-house knowledge.
7. Information Technology Services
Managed information technology services offer a comprehensive solution for outsourcing steady-state IT functions consolidated under one vendor. This consolidates point solutions into a unified service-level agreement. Rather than piecing together discrete projects, businesses work with a single trusted partner focused solely on supporting their infrastructure and end users. The provider assumes responsibilities like server monitoring, backup administration, patch management, and more according to negotiated service level targets. This streamlines communications while freeing internal staff for higher-level duties.
8. Business Continuity
Ensuring operations continue uninterrupted during disasters requires thorough preparedness. Outsourcing business continuity and disaster recovery planning leverages a provider’s extensive expertise to develop customized strategies. They configure and maintain failover infrastructure, create and routinely test backup and restore procedures, and provide workforce continuity through reliable remote access solutions. Their incident response services coordinate rapid failback to normal operations post-disruption. Dependable recovery capabilities give peace of mind and prevent revenue loss from downtime.
