Today’s global digital landscape is changing the way businesses operate. With that shift, comes the need to manage and secure your organization’s IT infrastructure. Traditionally, companies handled IT services in-house. The increasing complexity of modern technology, though, means companies must now use strategic solutions to manage services more securely. A key way to do that? Cloud computing and managed IT services.
When used together, cloud computing and managed IT services enable companies to build a secure, cloud-enabled future. To understand why, let’s look more closely at both technologies.
What is Managed IT Services?
Managed IT services refer to a range of external services a business may need to successfully run digital operations. These may include IT support, help desk services, data backups and recovery, virus protection, software installation and upgrades, as well as optimization of data networks. In other words, managed IT services is any kind of digital support for a business – either core services or outsourced.
The most important aspect of managed IT services is the fact it operates ‘remotely.’ On the back of cloud computing technologies, managed IT services enable offsite monitoring, system maintenance and cybersecurity protection. Businesses can also dictate their needs and control their budget.
So, what is cloud computing?
Cloud computing is a form of internet-based computing that’s based on shared resources, networks, and data storage. Users access computing services like applications, networks, and storage through a cloud vendor. Cloud computing is available in four different models: software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), infrastructure as a service (IaaS), and disaster recovery as a service (DRaaS).
The beauty of cloud computing is that it’s scalable, reliable, and agile. Companies don’t have to worry about buying a large amount of IT infrastructure upfront. Instead, they offer pay-as-you-go billing that allows companies to scale up or down with ease. The operational cost of cloud computing is also lower than traditional IT operations.
Why Managed IT Services & Cloud Computing Should Be Used Together
Both managed IT services and cloud computing offer numerous benefits to businesses. But together, they can provide true digital transformation for modern businesses. This synergy creates a comprehensive digital infrastructure that’s easier to scale and use for a business.
Advantages of Managed IT Services & Cloud Computing Together
1. Improved Security
Businesses concerns about security and data privacy are taller than they’ve ever been. Both managed IT services and cloud computing make security a priority. Managed IT services offer advisory services to steer decision making, and cloud computing enables a secure remote connection. As a result, various security threats can be identified and addressed before they affect your operations.
Additionally, most cloud service providers run their systems on top of secure data centers. So, you don’t have to worry about having a backup server if something goes wrong – the vendor takes care of those operations.
2. Cost Savings
Skilled IT personnel are essential for any business. With managed IT services, companies can harness the services of dedicated IT professionals without the need of an in-house team. Cloud computing also helps with cost savings by offering paying for IT infrastructure on a pay-as-you-go basis. This reduces the need for upfront investments, such as hardware and software.
3. Continuous Monitoring & Maintenance
Managed IT services can leverage cloud computing and monitor system performance from anywhere. Companies can use analytics information to develop better strategies to improve system performance or fix any issues in real-time. This results in the improved health of the systems, decreased downtime, and better collaboration between employees.
4. Increased Data Storage & Processing Power
Cloud computing offers powerful, extensive data storage and remote data processing capabilities. Managed IT services can then use that data and cloud applications to create insights and data pipelines.
5. Increased Collaboration
Managed IT services allow companies to safely share and collaborate on a variety of projects. With cloud computing, multiple users can access documents, applications, and software from anywhere in the world.
6. Improved Mobility
The combination of cloud computing and managed IT services doubles down on mobile solutions. This improves the workflow of a business as employees can remain productive and connected wherever they are.
7. Updated Technology
Software and hardware become outdated very quickly. The cloud keeps everything up to date and supplied with new resources, meaning businesses always have the latest and are able to prepare for the future.
Conclusion
As businesses navigate through the transition to digital, managed IT services and cloud computing can be the perfect technologies to leverage. Not only do they promise cost savings, but they offer scalability and improved security. Moreover, a strong cloud-managed IT services combination creates efficient mobile solutions, increased collaboration, and better data processing and storage.
For businesses looking to build a secure, cloud-enabled future, managed IT services and cloud computing are two of the most important technologies.