Managed services refer to the fast-growing practice of an enterprise handing over part or all of the management of its network infrastructure, applications, and security to another entity. It is estimated that by 2025, at least 60% of all enterprises could rely on managed service providers (MSPs).

Today, nearly 90% of organizations worldwide are operating in a multi-cloud environment. As more and more businesses use cloud technologies, businesses are worried about security, which has led to a higher demand for managed services. It is estimated that the market for managed services is set to reach nearly $355 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 7.9% since 2021. 

Some specialized firms provide these services to organizations, usually under contractual arrangements, detailing the operations they can take care of. The role of a managed service provider includes the following:

1. Addressing the gap between what an IT department can deliver and what enterprises require.
2. Bringing down the TCO, which covers operations, staffing, tools, training, etc.
3. Offering comprehensive hardware and software support.
4. Providing resources to handle the unique needs of your business at a predictable cost. 

The advancements in cloud computing have enabled the successful outsourcing of IT-managed services, which has become increasingly convenient for software management, recovery services, mobile device management, etc. According to a report, more than 55% of firms are choosing to approach managed service providers.

Types of Managed Services

Managed services is an umbrella term that includes a variety of solutions. Companies that offer such services do so with the understanding that there is often no single solution for any issue raised. 

Depending on what a company is looking for, managed services providers can offer the best solution packages at a fixed price. Here are the types of services that can help provide managed IT solutions to an enterprise:

1. Fibre Managed Services
   Managed fibre services provide a robust fibre-supported backhaul solution to deliver on the promise of seamless high-speed connectivity and increased reliability for an enhanced network experience.
2. Network Managed Services
   It provides a full suite of services spanning network monitoring, management, and security of the entire gamut of enterprise network infrastructure, including all active and passive components of wireless, wireline, and radio networks. The suite of services includes network consulting, implementation, and management, as well as unified communications.
3. Managed Data Centre & IT Infrastructure Services
   Managed DC and IT infrastructure services control and administer the IT infrastructure of an enterprise encompassing all IT infrastructure-related operational standards and practices. It efficiently manages enterprise Data Centres and IT infrastructure. It also provides comprehensive server, middleware, and database management services. Mission-critical service continuity is ensured by robust storage and backup services.
4. Managed Cloud Services
   It enables organisations to realise the full potential of their cloud strategy. Cloud managed services portfolio spans cloud deployment, migration, monitoring, and reporting. It ensures business continuity through security, backup, and disaster recovery.
5. Managed Security Services
   Identifying imminent security loopholes and remediating the risk of cyber attacks that inevitably result in data theft and compromised system access is the cornerstone of robust security management. It constitutes comprehensive security solutions including intrusion detection, prevention, and remediation through unified threat management that includes encryption, firewalls, patch maintenance, identity and access management, and vulnerability management. It provides end-to-end risk and compliance management for customers. Executing periodic security assessments and audits and providing round-the-clock monitoring are salient attributes of our managed services security portfolio.
6. Managed SOC and NOC
   Managed NOC services keep an eye on and take care of the thousands of network devices that are connected, make sure that all of them are working well, and fix any problems within minutes. NOC teams employ a bottom-up approach, focusing on network resources. They are tasked with monitoring the performance of the network and resolving faults in network equipment. Network monitoring mechanisms can identify network components that are slowing down or failing in real time, manage configuration, and provide troubleshooting and analysis.
   Managed SOC services help improve the customer’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to threats at a fraction of the cost and manage security on a day-to-day basis. It has the capability to protect intellectual property and secure client-sensitive information with the best industry standards for SLAs. These services can be provided in real-time with patch installation and advanced cybersecurity practices. 

Why Your Enterprise Needs Managed Services (Key Benefits)

Managed services can help businesses with their IT-managed services in a significant way. With the essential services they provide, MSPs help organizations with managed IT solutions. Here’s a look at some crucial benefits of managed services:

1. Essential IT requirements are covered
   A managed service provider is skilled and efficient with different IT requirements that businesses might need. They equip themselves with technology infrastructures, software, servers, etc., that are beneficial to meet different needs and let companies focus on other essential operations.
2. Scope for vulnerabilities is eliminated
   A managed service provider can guarantee that the areas they oversee will function effectively and the scope for vulnerabilities will be eliminated or minimized. It means servers will be updated on time, network security measures will be integrated, applications will be expertly managed, and other essential requirements will be taken care of to eliminate risk and abnormality. 
3. Only highly skilled personnel handle the operations
   A managed service provider is an expert in the fields of a wide variety of IT solutions. They onboard trusted, highly skilled personnel with deep knowledge in the required areas and deploy them to oversee all operations to ensure that each activity is conducted smoothly.
4. Interruptions and risks are expertly managed
   A managed service provider can keep the business running in the event of data malfunction, data loss, and other risky scenarios. They are equipped with the needed skills and knowledge to monitor and handle sudden, unforeseen interruptions and deploy necessary solutions to solve the problems. 
5. Easily scale in real-time and avoid downtime
   With the growth of any business, it also becomes necessary to conveniently scale systems and operations with time. A managed service provider helps achieve dynamic scaling in real-time to avoid downtime. It involves active monitoring, updating, reporting, and other activities to scale systems smoothly and successfully.
6. Cut IT costs and boost operational efficiency
   These services often have an extensive fee that enterprises pay, but in return, they receive expert solutions, reliable security, updated infrastructure, and other vitally important services that help run operations smoothly. It is estimated that IT costs can drop by a remarkable 25-45% if managed services are deployed effectively, and it can boost operational efficiency by 45-65%.

What Should Your Enterprise Look for in a Managed Service Provider?

After learning about the benefits of managed services, it is essential to understand what you should expect from a managed service provider before onboarding one. Here are some important things for businesses to keep in mind when looking for a reliable managed services provider:

1. Flexible packages
   It should offer flexible packages to you for a single solution.
2. Deep, strategic relationship
   It should be able to build a deep, strategic relationship with your enterprise and closely understand the solutions you need.
3. Vast pool of consultants
   It should have a pool of hundreds of consultants to meet your various requirements as and when needed. 
4. Work across time zones
   It should be able to work across multiple time zones and reduce waiting time for your enterprise to receive solutions. 
5. Timely customer service
   It should provide timely and reliable customer service in case of any complaint or service issue. 
6. Sound recovery strategy
   It must have a sound backup and recovery strategy in the event of sudden data loss vulnerabilities, security threats, and other risks. 
7. Customizable services
   It should offer advanced and customizable services to meet your business’s specific needs. 
8. Legal and compliance team
   It needs to have a legal and compliance team to address complex issues.  

Why STL Matters When it Comes to Managed Services

Managed services are increasingly becoming the need of the hour for enterprises to run their operations productively. Organizations can easily use these solution-driven services to ensure system stability and business continuity, no matter what they do or where they are. The MSP advantage promises an increase in efficiency of at least 50–60%, reducing IT infrastructure costs by 24%, and optimizing IT staff productivity by 42%. 

To help businesses tap into the full power of their cloud environment, STL offers a flexible service program to fully optimize their workers’ needs and introduce an augmentation strategy with procedural know-how. It provides a full suite of services, including six different offerings: fiber- fibre managed services, managed network services, managed data center and IT infrastructure services, cloud managed services, managed NOC and SOC, and managed security services. 
With more than 49 vendor-recognized certifications in Microsoft Azure, VMware, Cisco, Red Hat, AWS, etc., STL has issued over 44,888 managed devices with end-to-end global delivery so that businesses can get the most out of managed IT solutions. With more than 25 years of experience, STL has the skills, consultants, and efficiency to give enterprises solutions that are tailored to their needs and lead to success. Connect with STL today!