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The practice of assigning certain IT tasks or the management of the entire IT infrastructure to a third-party supplier, referred to as a Managed Service Provider (MSP), is referred to as a managed service. A client pays a regular fee to the provider to proactively manage, monitor, and maintain their IT systems rather than doing these tasks internally. This covers everything from server upkeep and network monitoring to technical support, security updates, and data backups.

By relieving the client of the burden of regular IT operations, managed services enable them to concentrate on their core business operations while reaping the benefits of expert knowledge, predictable costs, and enhanced security and reliability.

A managed service role entails taking charge of the continuing operational management and maintenance of particular IT systems, applications, or infrastructure for a client. This is typically carried out by a Managed Service Provider (MSP) or their technicians. With constant monitoring, frequent updates, and preventative maintenance, this proactive role seeks to stop problems before they start.

Assuring system uptime, security, performance optimization, troubleshooting, and frequently offering help desk support are all essential components of a managed service role. Usually, the provider operates under a Service Level Agreement (SLA) that outlines the duties, performance standards, and range of services.

The degree of accountability and assistance offered by the hosting or IT service provider is the main factor that separates managed from unmanaged services.

• Managed Services: The provider is in charge of keeping an eye on, updating, and maintaining the underlying infrastructure, which frequently includes the operating system and applications. This covers things like software installations, backups, security patches, and troubleshooting. It lessens the client’s operational load, making it perfect for companies with little internal IT knowledge.
• Unmanaged Services: The supplier only provides the bare minimum of infrastructure, such as network connectivity and server hardware. All server administration tasks, such as installing the operating system, updating software, configuring security, backing up data, and troubleshooting, are entirely the client’s responsibility. Although it offers the most control, this calls for a high level of technical expertise.

There are several other names for managed services that are frequently used interchangeably based on the industry or context. Among the most often used substitute terms are:

• IT services that are managed: This synonym, which particularly refers to the outsourcing of IT functions, is extremely prevalent.
• IT outsourcing (although a more proactive kind of outsourcing is managed services).
• services for managed support.
• Solutions that are managed.
• services for managed technology.
• IT support that is managed.

All of these phrases refer to a model in which a third-party provider assumes continuous accountability for overseeing and preserving a client’s technological infrastructure or particular IT operations.

Although it is an essential part of a managed services agreement, a service level agreement (SLA) is not the same as managed services.

The business model and actual provision of outsourced IT management and support is known as managed services. It outlines the services being rendered, such as security updates, backup management, and server monitoring.

SLA: A formal contract or agreement that outlines the precise degree of service that the Managed Service Provider (MSP) is expected to provide. It lists important metrics such as uptime guarantees (e.g., 99.9% availability), support ticket response times, issue resolution times, and non-compliance penalties.

In essence, you receive managed services, and the SLA outlines the quality of service delivery you can anticipate, offering clear expectations and accountability.

With a fully managed service, the service provider assumes full accountability for every facet of the outsourced IT component, from initial setup and configuration to continuing security, monitoring, and troubleshooting, which frequently includes operating system and application-level support. The client doesn’t have to handle any server administration or technical maintenance; they just use the service.

With a fully managed dedicated server, for instance, the hosting company installs the operating system, manages patches, updates, security hardening, backups, and round-the-clock server monitoring. The client can now concentrate entirely on their applications and business expansion since they are no longer responsible for infrastructure management.

Software as a Service (SaaS) and managed services are not exactly the same, even though they both entail a third party providing and maintaining a service.

• Software as a Service (SaaS): A full software program that is hosted centrally and distributed to clients via the internet on a subscription basis. Users only need to access and utilize the software (such as Microsoft 365 or Salesforce), which is managed by the provider, who also handles the infrastructure and the application itself.
• Managed services entail a provider taking proactive measures to maintain and manage a client’s new or existing IT systems, apps, or infrastructure. The managed service concentrates on the management of the underlying resources, while the client typically maintains ownership or certain control over them.

Managed services are an ongoing operational management function, whereas software as a service (SaaS) is a final product.

The term “managed services” itself does not have a single, widely accepted abbreviation or short form. Nonetheless, MSP, or Managed Service Provider, is the most widely used acronym related to the managed services sector and its suppliers.

The business or organization that provides managed services is known as an MSP. Therefore, although “MS” isn’t a commonly used abbreviation for the service, “MSP” is frequently used to refer to businesses in this industry.

Although a Managed Service Provider (MSP) may also provide consulting services, managed services and consulting are not the same thing.

Managed Services: Put an emphasis on the continuous, proactive upkeep, support, and management of newly installed or pre-existing IT infrastructure and systems. It is an ongoing, frequently subscription-based service designed to guarantee operational efficiency and stability.

Consulting: Usually entails offering professional counsel and strategic direction on particular, frequently project-based IT issues or projects. In contrast to continuous operational management, consulting is typically time-limited and concentrated on assessment, planning, and recommendations.

Although a managed services agreement may result from a consulting engagement (for example, an MSP may handle a new cloud setup after a consultant offers advice), their primary roles are different.

Although both managed services and professional services enlist outside expertise, they vary greatly in terms of their duration, scope, and type of involvement.

Professional services are usually project-based, one-time, or short-term agreements that are intended to provide specialized knowledge for particular tasks, like software development, data migration, system implementation, IT consulting, or optimization projects. They are frequently billed by the hour or per project, have a clearly defined scope, and have start and end dates.

Managed Services: These offer regular, proactive, and continuous assistance for the daily upkeep and administration of IT infrastructure or particular IT tasks. They are usually long-term, subscription-based partnerships meant to guarantee ongoing security, performance, and operation.

In order to provide continuous operational support, many IT projects may begin with professional services for implementation before switching to managed services. For complicated setups that transition into a managed hosting environment, HostingB2B frequently provides expert services.