Once upon a time, in an office not so far away, businesses started using computers. At first, it was just a few machines handling basic tasks, but as technology advanced, so did our reliance on it. Soon, every aspect of business became intertwined with IT, making it both a blessing and a never-ending headache.
Back in the day, when something broke, you either called in an IT “specialist” (who arrived three hours late and muttered about ‘user error’), or you got Bob from accounts to fiddle with it because he “knew a bit about computers.” Sometimes, you even had an IT insurance policy, meaning you could call someone when things went south, while enduring hours of painful downtime. But hey, it wasn’t the end of the world back then. Businesses could still function without tech for a bit (wild, right?).
Fast forward to today, and downtime is like oxygen deprivation, suffocating for businesses. Systems are more complex, reliance is at an all-time high, and IT is no longer just about fixing problems; it’s about preventing them before they happen. And that’s where Managed Services come in.
Think of traditional IT like your car: you drive it until something goes wrong, then take it to a mechanic who tells you the repairs will cost more than the car itself. Managed IT, on the other hand, is like having a team of expert pit crew members constantly fine-tuning your vehicle to ensure you never break down in the first place.
Managed Services evolved when IT providers realised businesses needed more than just an emergency IT helpline. They needed proactive maintenance, monitoring, and security measures to ensure systems run smoothly 24/7. With automation, smart monitoring, and predictive technology, IT providers could stop being reactive firefighters and start being strategic partners.
So, what does a real managed IT service look like? Well, it should do all this and more:
✅ Proactive system monitoring: Detecting issues before they turn into costly disasters.
✅ Automation & self-healing: Your IT should be fixing itself while you sleep.
✅ Robust security: Because cyber threats are real, and no, “password123” isn’t going to cut it.
✅ Data backups & disaster recovery: Because losing your files should never be an option.
✅ Streamlined onboarding & offboarding: No more IT nightmares when hiring or letting go of staff.
✅ 24/7 support: Because IT problems don’t clock out at 5 PM.
✅ Predictable costs: No more surprise invoices that make your finance team cry.
When looking for a managed services provider, price is always a factor. But let’s be real: If you find an IT service that’s suspiciously cheap, ask yourself why it’s so cheap. Are they cutting corners on security? Are they outsourcing to someone who barely speaks your language? Are they just installing remote access software and calling it a “managed service”?
Would you eat at a restaurant with one-star reviews and a sign that says “Yesterday’s leftovers, half price!”? No? Then you probably shouldn’t treat your IT that way.
Before you sign on the dotted line, ask your IT provider these questions:
❓ What tools do you use to manage systems? (They should mention RMM, ticketing systems, automation, orchestration, documentation platforms etc.)
❓ How do you monitor security? (If they don’t talk about administrative change tracking, device monitoring, event monitoring, cloud security, user behaviour and awareness and AI, run!)
❓ What security solutions do you provide? (If they only mention antivirus, they’re stuck in 2005.)
❓ What’s your backup and disaster recovery plan? (If they don’t have a solid answer, your business is at risk.)
❓ How do you handle onboarding/offboarding? (Because nothing’s worse than an ex-employee still having access to your systems.)
❓ How quickly do you respond to issues? (Hint: “Within 24 hours” is not acceptable.)
❓ What products do you support? (If they say “everything,” they probably don’t know anything in-depth.)
❓ How do you stay up to date with new tech? (Because IT moves fast, and your provider needs to keep up.)
❓ Can I speak to some of your current clients? (Happy customers are the best proof of quality service.)
Not all IT providers are created equal. Choosing the wrong one can lead to frustration, inefficiencies, and the kind of “ugly divorce” you’d rather avoid. Take your time, do your research, and partner with a provider who doesn’t just fix problems, they prevent them and work with you to strategically plan your technology journey.
Want to see what a real Managed Service Provider looks like? Drop in on XC360 and find out why working with us is the best decision you’ll make for your IT.
