It’s Monday morning. One employee can’t log into their email. Another computer is running painfully slow. The conference room Wi-Fi isn’t cooperating, and an important meeting starts in 20 minutes.

Someone asks the inevitable question: “Who do we call?”

For many small and mid-sized businesses, the answer is a Managed IT Service Provider, commonly called an MSP.

But what exactly does an MSP do, what should you expect from one, and how is managed IT different from simply calling someone when technology breaks?

What Is a Managed IT Service Provider?

A Managed IT Service Provider (MSP) is a company that manages and supports some or all of a business’s technology needs.

Think of an MSP as an extension of your team. They provide the technical expertise and ongoing support needed to keep your organization’s technology reliable, secure and aligned with your business.

Depending on the organization, managed IT services can include:

• Help desk and user support
• Computer and device management
• Network monitoring and management
• Microsoft 365 support
• Cybersecurity
• Backup and recovery
• Technology planning and strategy

Instead of leaving technology responsibilities scattered among different employees or vendors, an MSP gives the business a dedicated resource for managing its technology environment.

What Should I Expect From an MSP?

An MSP should do more than answer the phone when something isn’t working.

You should expect them to understand how your business uses technology and identify areas that could create problems.

That includes questions like:

• Are your systems secure?
• Are employees experiencing recurring IT issues?
• Are your backups working properly?
• Are computers and other devices being maintained?
• Is your technology prepared for the next stage of your business?

Just as importantly, your employees should know exactly where to turn when they need technical help.

A strong MSP relationship should give your business support when you need it and guidance for what comes next.

How Much Do Managed IT Services Cost?

One of the first questions businesses ask is, “How much will managed IT cost?”

There isn’t one price that applies to every organization because every technology environment is different.

Cost can depend on:

• Number of employees and devices
• Number of locations
• Current technology environment
• Cybersecurity requirements
• Level of support needed
• Cloud services and software
• Backup and recovery requirements

When comparing costs, it’s also important to look beyond the monthly IT bill.

Downtime, recurring technical issues, lost employee productivity and emergency repairs all have a cost too. Managed IT gives businesses an opportunity to make technology expenses more predictable while addressing issues that could be costing the organization time and money.

Managed IT vs. Break/Fix: What’s the Difference?

The easiest way to understand the difference is to look at when the IT provider becomes involved. With break/fix IT, something goes wrong first. The network goes down. A computer stops working. An employee can’t access an application. You call for help, the issue gets fixed and you’re billed for the work.

Managed IT works differently.

The provider is already involved in your technology environment. They maintain systems, provide support, monitor for issues and help the business plan for future technology needs.

In simple terms: Break/fix: Fix the problem after it happens. Managed IT: Manage the technology before, during and after a problem occurs.

For businesses that rely heavily on technology, that ongoing involvement can make a major difference.

What Does This Look Like for an Everyday Business?

Imagine a 25-person company. The office manager has become the unofficial IT person because they know how to reset the router. Employees troubleshoot their own computer problems. Technology gets replaced when it stops working. Nobody is completely sure when the backups were last checked. And the owner is making technology decisions while also trying to run the business.

Each individual issue might seem small. Together, they can consume a surprising amount of time and create unnecessary risk.

That’s where CatchMark Technologies can help.

We work with small and mid-sized organizations to take those technology responsibilities off their plate. From everyday user support and network management to cybersecurity, backups and long-term technology planning, our team helps businesses build an IT environment that supports how they actually work.

Is Managed IT Right for Your Business?

If technology problems are regularly taking employees away from their actual jobs, your organization doesn’t have dedicated IT resources or you’re unsure whether your systems are being properly managed, it may be time to take a closer look.

You don’t need to know exactly which IT services you need before reaching out. That’s part of the conversation.

Have questions about managed IT or your current technology setup? Contact CatchMark Technologies. We’ll help you understand where things stand, where there may be gaps and what makes sense for your business.

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