Though there is a wide range of software tools and IT services to choose from, not all are right for every business. The type of IT services wanted will vary based on size and needs. You will also want to decide whether the tools and software should be managed in-house, outsourced, or handled by a managed service provider (MSP).
If this feels like it’s starting to get a little overcomplicated, don’t worry. We want to help you get a clearer understanding of which IT services are right for you to decide for yourself. Let’s dive into the 16 different IT services explained in this series.
Managed IT Services
The first thing that should be considered is your Managed IT service needs, which can vary depending on business type, size, and industry.
These are typical features of Managed IT Services:
● Workstation Management
● Email Security
● End-User Support (Help Desk)
● Server Management
● Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
● Network Management
● Vendor Management
● vCIO/Reporting
● Device Management
Managed IT Services may vary depending on the MSP. The next type is Monitoring Services which include the network.
Monitoring Services
The primary function is to make sure that systems and applications are functioning correctly and to detect and alert any suspicious activity that’s noticed.
Monitoring can include:
● Network Availability
● Application Performance
● Security
● Traffic
● Communications
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR)
BCDR is an essential IT Service available and highly recommended to help your business function during any disruption with little interruption. There are two types of plans that should be discussed, continuity and recovery.
Business Continuity —what the business needs to continue operating even during times of disruption, such as a cyberattack, power outage, and natural disasters.
Disaster Recovery — The line of defense when Business Continuity falters. Refers to the decided actions/processes that restore business operations to nominal levels.
Scenarios that should be included with BCDR:
● power failure
● internet failure
● cloud failure
● hardware failure
Firewall Services
Finally, firewalls are the gatekeepers of your business network. Without them, the network would be vulnerable to all sorts of nefarious entities trying to abuse the network and the proprietary data in it.
Firewall services manage your business’s firewalls and, if done well, will accomplish far more than your standard-issue firewall could do. There are a few types to choose from, such as hardware firewalls, software firewalls, and firewalls explicitly built for the cloud. Next-generation firewalls (NGFW) offer some of the best protection. While more feature-rich than their traditional counterparts, these also provide a more robust service capable of countering more sophisticated cyber attacks.
As you can see, more goes into the complex world of business IT services than the typical business owner understands. Consider a managed service provider to get the full capabilities and efficiency needed for your company to succeed.