What’s the difference?
When it comes to IT support you have two options – Break/Fix or Managed Service Provider (MSP).
Two terms are used within this industry, Proactive and Reactive. Break/Fix is always Reactive. This is your only option when you haven’t joined forces with a Managed Service Provider to look after your IT infrastructure. For example, a problem occurs that halts daily activities of your business and you need support. Companies operating Break/Fix will charge an hourly fee to resolve and it could be broken hardware, lost data and ransomware to a damaging power outage. Any of these situations can result in potentially expensive repair fees and massive downtime.
Managed Service Provider (MSP) – the Proactive option
This is where a Managed Service Provider (MSP) comes in. A MSP monitors your IT infrastructure at all times. Helpdesk support is offered to resolve issues as they occur. MSPs will proactively deploy upgrades, patches and provide ongoing maintenance throughout the duration of the partnership. A MSP will provide preventative maintenance on your IT infrastructure to ensure it runs to the best of its ability and minimise break downs.
Core Team One operates as a Managed Service Provider. This gives you access to a dedicated IT resource, one which is entirely familiar with your current IT infrastructure. All of your questions will be answered, and all issues resolved efficiently.
In a nutshell, our clients benefit from: –
- Improved Response Time – Specialists available whenever you need them.
- Enhanced IT Performance – IT systems operating at full capacity.
- Increased IT Security – Fully patched infrastructures to combat intrusions and zero day vulnerabilities.
- Up to date Backups – Business data securely backed up and managed.
The proactivity doesn’t stop there – free IT Consultancy!
As an MSP client our customers also benefit from free IT Consultancy. This can be invaluable in keeping them abreast of the latest IT trends; as well as making sure customers implement vital changes to their system to ensure the best network performance.
The recent trends which clients need to be aware of and which CTO have covered in recent blogs are: –
- Upgrades to Windows 10
- Configuration of improved security settings in Office 365
- Deployment of Two/Multi-Factor Authentication and Next Generation Firewall (NGFW).
Ask yourself, is my IT provider being proactive? Or are they only in contact when they have something to sell? Do you feel your system constantly requires ‘sticking plasters’ applying retrospectively to maintain uptime? This should not be happening. A proactive MSP such as ourselves will assess your systems and provide an IT Roadmap of where you need to head in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Authors: Craig Sears & Richard Payne
Sounds interesting? If so. contact Core Team One today for a free assessment of your systems.
