Choosing Between Managed IT Services and Traditional Support

Companies across most industries are going through major digital transformations in 2024 and evolving their IT management strategies. As these businesses go through these transformations to navigate their technological landscape, one critical aspect they struggle with is to decide whether they would be better off with managed IT services such as DNSnetworks over traditional IT support service providers.

In this blog, you will uncover the main difference between the two types of IT service providers and discuss why managed IT services are becoming much more popular over traditional it supports.

Table of Contents:

1. Proactive vs. Reactive Approach
2. Cost Efficiency and Predictable Pricing
3. Scalability and Flexibility
4. Cybersecurity and Compliance

Proactive vs. Reactive Approach

As cyber threats evolve and stricter regulations and requirements get created, companies must adapt to ensure their cybersecurity is strong and in compliance. In this section, we will look at how managed it services offer a more proactive approach to cybersecurity and how traditional IT support may leave some gaps in security.

Managed IT Support:

• 24/7 Monitoring: A Managed IT partner will provide you with real-time continuous monitoring  of your IT systems. By being vigilant round the clock, an IT MSP will detect potential security gaps and vulnerabilities before a potential breach or disruption takes place. A managed IT security services provider will identify security gaps and address them promptly before an incident occurs.
• Predictive Tools & Automations: By leveraging the latest in technology and by using the best predictive tools and automations, an IT MSP will have a more proactive approach to IT management. These tools will help identify and mitigate issues by anticipating them and being prepared for them.
• 2024 Trends (AI & Automation): Most industries are bullish on the positive impact AI  and automation  will have in the future. Ai is already having a great impact on how your managed IT services provider operates and provides better outcomes to their clients. By leveraging the latest AI-powered tools, your managed IT services provider can detect and resolve issues automatically without the need of human intervention.

Traditional IT Support:

• Break-Fix: Traditional IT support operated on a break-fix basis. This means that issues are only addressed when reported by the client. As a result of this reactive IT management approach, clients see more downtime and disruptions while their issue is being addressed.
• Unexpected Downtime: The duration it takes for issues to be pinpointed and then addressed tend to take much longer with traditional IT support providers. By not anticipating them before they occur, their client will suffer a significant loss in productivity, business efficiency and overall revenues.
  Have you suffered a loss in productivity and reduced collaboration amongst your team due to insufficient productivity and business efficiency tools? Learn more about our Business Productivity and Collaboration solutions.
• Can’t keep up with 2024 demands: Traditional IT support struggle to keep up with the pace of technological advancement. As a result, they have a more reactive approach where service is slow and insufficient with modern technological innovation.

Cost Efficiency and Predictable Pricing

When it comes to cost efficiency and predictable pricing, most businesses will find that Managed IT service providers may be a more favorable option when compared to the unpredictable nature of traditional IT support costs, especially during emergencies such as a breach.

Managed IT Support:

• Fixed Monthly Fees: Managed IT services work with you on a fixed monthly subscription model where your IT expenditure is controlled and consistent. By offering this fixed pricing, their clients get to benefit from reliable budget planning and improved financial position.
• Reduced Emergency Costs: A more proactive approach to IT management leads to reduced occurrences of potential issues that require costly and urgent repairs and system overhauls. This means less costs due to vulnerabilities and security issues.
• Stabilizing Operational Expenses: Businesses in today business environment are looking for ways to better manage their monthly operational expenses. As a result of cost-cutting measures, they are increasingly considering managed IT service providers. This allows them to forecast and better control their IT costs while giving them the ability to invest more strategically in IT without the accompanying burdens.

Traditional Support:

• Pay As You Go: You will find that traditional IT support tend to use a pay-as-you go model (or pay as you fix model). As issues are not being anticipated, time to resolutions tend to take longer and is more unpredictable. This means system failures can quickly become costly for your business.
• Unstainable Costs: By accumulating unexpected costs, the financial burden of system downtime, failures and emergencies may quickly become unstainable for businesses.
• Lack of Maintenance & Upgrades: Traditional IT support does not offer consistent maintenance and support that you would expect from a reputable managed IT services provider. Due to the unpredictability of costs and service level over time, costs can accumulate as your systems become outdated and require more maintenance and upgrades.

Are you interested in learning how IT consultations can help with improving your cost efficiencies?

Scalability and Flexibility

Businesses need IT solutions that are flexible and scalable enough for their own growth and requirements. This section will go over how traditional IT support often leads to shortcomings in in adaptability and stunts the growth of their client. You will also see what makes IT MSPs an attractive option for scaling your business.

Managed IT Services:

• Scalable Packages: A managed IT service provider will ensure that their services are scalable and sustainable to the pace of your operational growth. This allows them to provide you with an IT environment that can handle demands and is scalable with minimal disruptions.
• Adaptability to Technological Advances: Managed IT is designed to adapt with the pace of technological advancements. This allows your business to remain competitive and efficient in current business environments where we see a rise in remote work and cloud-based tools.
• Custom Industry Solutions: You IT MSP will provide a more tailored and custom IT solution that is unique to your business. By customizing their services and solutions, an IT MSP will be a more suitable option that aligns with your business goals and requirements.

Traditional IT Support:

• Inefficient Scaling: Traditional IT support services do not have the ability to scale efficiently as this requires costly upgrades and new contracts. When these occur, your business growth may be disrupted and you may run into financial challenges in the future.
• Rigid Contracts: Traditional IT support contracts are strict and do not change. When agreements do not evolve based on the current posture of your business, it may not align with adapting and evolving needs of your business. For example, many businesses currently require support for remote workers and are also looking for ways to leverage automation and AI and without the proper IT infrastructure in place, they may quickly run into unexpected problems.
• Limited Tech Support:

Cybersecurity and Compliance

Advanced Cybersecurity capabilities and enhanced IT and data security compliance management is critical in ensuring your business remains competitive in todays evolving cybersecurity landscape. Managed IT security services offer a more proactive approach to cybersecurity while traditional IT may leave some potential gaps in your cybersecurity measures.

Managed IT Services:

• Real-Time Threat Detection: By providing you with the latest advanced real-time identity threat detection and response (ITDR) capabilities, an IT MSP such as DNSnetworks will ensure that any threat or vulnerability is immediately addressed as they get detected. A proactive cybersecurity services provider will  protect your business from the latest cybersecurity threats.
• Comprehensive Compliance Management: In addition to a strong cybersecurity posture,  a reputable Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) will also provide you with comprehensive compliance support solutions should your business have the necessity to meet certain industry requirements such as GDPR, CCPA and HIPAA.
• Focus On Emerging Technologies:  By staying up to date on the latest cybersecurity tools, such as an AI-powered cybersecurity software that help you remain protected against attacks such as ransomware and phishing.

Traditional IT Support:

• Outdated Cybersecurity Measures: Traditional IT support may not have the needed infrastructure in place to stay ahead of emerging cybersecurity threats consistently. This means businesses may run into unexpected vulnerabilities.
• Extended Vulnerability Periods: The time to resolution of security issues is much higher when contrasted with managed IT services. This means that those that depend on traditional it supports providers may see longer periods of downtime should a vulnerability or threat be detected.
• Not up to par for 2024:  Traditional IT support providers tend to lag behind when it comes to staying on top of the latest threats and advancements within the cybersecurity industry. This leaves their clients vulnerable to more complex cyber threats.

Boost Your Business With DNSnetworks Managed IT Services

To sum it all up, a managed IT services provider will offer a wide variety of benefits to businesses when compared to traditional IT support providers. By being proactive and receptive to your needs, MSPs will help clients  discover better scalability and flexibility and a strengthened cyber security posture.

If you’re looking to upgrade your approach to IT management, we encourage you to explore our managed IT services at DNSnetworks. Contact Us today for more information or to schedule a consultation.