IT consulting and IT managed services providers both provide value to businesses, but there are key differences between the two that you should be aware of before deciding which one will work best for your organization. While both IT consulting and IT managed services offer their own benefits and strong points, it’s important to understand their respective differences before settling on one or the other. This article will explain those differences in detail, providing key information on when to use an IT consultant and when to use an IT managed services provider. It will also discuss key strengths each type of service provider has over the other.
When To Use an IT Consultant
When you want deep expertise in a specific area but also need customization of applications or configuration. For example, if you want to move your Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM or ERP system from one cloud service provider to another, it might be more cost-effective and efficient to hire an independent consulting firm that has deep experience in migrating CRM/ERP systems than it would be for you to do it yourself in-house or through your MSP. It’s all about getting expert help from someone who is knowledgeable about your specific requirements. This can give you peace of mind when making technology decisions because consultants bring with them deeper expertise and domain knowledge than what is generally available at larger MSPs.
Key Strengths of Consulting Firms
Sometimes companies are very specific in what they need and have a vision of where they want to be, sometimes businesses don’t know what they need and just need someone who can help them get there. One key strength of consulting firms is that they can fill either role because as a consultant you listen first and then help determine where you can best fit in. This makes consultants versatile which allows them to work with many different businesses and cultures because their interests are aligned directly with those of their clients; success is determined by how well they serve their client’s needs rather than by competing on price or driving business in house.
When To Use an IT Managed Services Provider
Most companies know they need help with their IT infrastructure and some don’t know how to go about getting it; fortunately, it has never been easier for businesses of all sizes and industries to find affordable, reliable IT support thanks to managed services providers (MSPs). Using MSPs can streamline your business’s internal processes by eliminating time-consuming tasks and cutting down on potential risks associated with in-house operations—but what are you supposed to do when you don’t have enough funding or budget? An MSP might be able to help out at a fraction of the cost of hiring employees or outsourcing work.
By leveraging industry-specific experience and expertise, these experienced MSP technicians can minimize business downtime by offering proactive monitoring that identifies issues before they become critical as well as fixing them faster because of their higher level of training than most employees might have. An MSP may also be a more cost-effective solution compared to hiring new employees or paying for training your current staff on a large enterprise product you’re still trying to master.
Key Strengths of Managed Service Providers
1. Reduces Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) – An MSP will provide you with multiple solutions and vendor options for your technology needs, as well as monitor and maintain your systems. With one point of contact, you’ll avoid having to go out for quotes on different vendors yourself, saving both time and money in acquiring new technology and in maintaining existing systems—especially if you’re a small business without an in-house IT department or someone who doesn’t know much about technology!
2. No Paying Twice – MSPs have low overhead costs that allow them to pass their savings onto customers in a transparent way while still making a profit.
3. Rapid Resolution of Issues – When you have an issue, whether it be with your computer or networking systems, you won’t need to wait weeks for someone to come out and fix it. In fact, most managed services providers offer 24/7 support as well as on-site technicians!
4. Maintenance Plans – Every plan is different and can vary greatly between different companies and service providers but some MSPs offer maintenance plans for monthly fees that include preventative maintenance as well as part replacement cost; if your computer or network breaks down, they’ll fix it without charge!
Partnering with Axeleos
Axeleos is able to offer both consultative-style engagements, as well as managed IT services. As such, we can usually fill business’ needs by providing one or both of these solutions. For example, if your business has a large infrastructure (you have many servers and other devices), you may want to work with us in a managed services capacity rather than deploying internal resources on these tasks.
Alternatively, if you are concerned about your security posture or other risks specific to your industry sector or geographical region, we can provide audit-based consulting that helps improve your overall risk posture through sound and secure infrastructure designs and recommendations.
We offer a wide range of consulting engagements from cloud adoption and migration to an IT environment assessment to security auditing as mentioned above. Contact us today, and let us help you in any capacity we can, so you can Make Your Mark in your organization, and leave the tech stuff to us!