Managed Services

Managed Services vs. Professional Services

Explore the differences between professional and managed services, which come down to more than specialized skills vs. ongoing support. Understanding the distinctions between the two will help organizations choose the right approach for specific business needs. This understanding ensures companies allocate resources efficiently and find cost-effective solutions, ultimately enhancing overall business productivity and information technology (IT) infrastructure management.

Outsourcing on a project basis can offer cost-effective solutions for specific tasks while utilizing external sources continuously provides predictable IT budgets. With today’s fast-paced technological development, the most important question an organization can ask itself is which IT solution meets your needs.

The Difference Between Professional and Managed Services

Organizations need to keep up with digital transformations, and getting it right often means businesses need to outsource their IT efforts. The right combination of digital renewals can unlock a share of $1.25 trillion in additional market capitalization. Technological progression is a sink-or-swim situation even for a small business, so using a professional or managed service to help is often non-negotiable.

Understanding the comparison between the two is crucial in helping to determine whether to get expert help on specific projects or choose continuous external support. The key distinctions lie in the scope and nature of these services.

Professional services offer specialized expertise, tailored solutions for improvements and skills on demand. Managed services provide ongoing external support and IT operations management with continuous monitoring, maintenance and strategic guidance. This relationship fosters long-term stability and efficiency in a company’s technological infrastructure:

• Independence vs. dependence: Professional services offer insights on a particular project, while managed services integrate into daily workflow.
• Fulfillment vs. adoption: Professional services implement new processes and give businesses the tools to manage moving forward. Management services remain in charge and oversee the day-to-day management of these projects.
• Short-term vs. long-term: The scope of managed services generally covers a broad spectrum of tasks, whereas professional services only focus on a particular job.

Professional Services Overview

Globally, the professional services market indicates a 6% growth between 2022 and 2023, showcasing an increasing demand to outsource large-scale or infrastructure-based technological projects. Businesses typically use professional services when new hardware rolls out or when upscaling systems. Other areas where organizations may choose to hire experts to upgrade systems include consulting, cloud migration, new hardware or software deployment and advanced troubleshooting that exceeds the in-house team’s capabilities.

Advantages of hiring a professional service to assist with specific tasks include:

• Specialized expertise: Professional services bring technical skills for specific projects, optimizing outcomes and efficiency.
• Innovative solutions: Fresh insights and approaches drive technological advancements.
• Time savings: Projects see quick turnaround times, which can accelerate other business timelines.
• Competitive advantage: Leveraging external expertise for technological innovation ensures companies stay ahead.

When a business looks into optimizing processes, developing software or executing complex projects, the consideration is above a professional services vs. support approach. The professional services bring valuable insights and capabilities to enhance workflow efficiency, innovation and overall organizational performance. They hand over the intelligence they implement, empowering the business to thrive in its new developments.

Managed Services Overview

Management services’ compound annual growth rate (CAGR) should grow by a staggering 13.1%. As more businesses choose to employ a managed service provider, the demand for comprehensive and continuous oversight and operation will continue to increase. Managed services offer IT assistance, bringing to mind the typical function of IT support.

Managed services vs. consulting is a matter of taking a hands-on approach, actively managing and optimizing operations to enhance efficiency, reduce downtime and let businesses concentrate on their primary activities while benefiting from external expertise. Companies can enjoy daily maintenance, on-demand troubleshooting, data backup, fast response times, onboarding assistance and network monitoring.

There are also additional benefits to outsourcing IT services:

• Strategic focus: Outsourcing lets businesses focus on core activities while external experts manage IT, leading to better resource allocation.
• Scalability: Flexible, ongoing support grows with an organization and keeps IT on par with demands and external developments.
• Proactive maintenance: Managed services prevent IT issues through regular monitoring, which minimizes workflow disruptions.
• Risk management: Contracting certain IT services can enhance security, data protection and compliance.

Factors to Consider

Businesses keep many departments and processes in-house, but many outsource IT to benefit from the expertise. An outside team brings new levels of expertise and compliance, which is a cost-effective solution to adding several new hires to the company payroll. Managed services vs. professional services offer different benefits to every business in this regard.

Making the right choice for IT solutions comes down to your company’s needs, budget and existing capabilities. Other important factors to consider when finding the right professional or managed service provider include:

• Business goals: Identifying goals and needs help you find a company that aligns with these needs and complements projects or processes with up-to-date industry knowledge.
• Successful ventures: Ask for case studies and testimonials to validate the company’s success rate.
• Data protection: Sign an air-tight nondisclosure agreement (NDA) with the IT partner coming on board, as they may have access to some sensitive data.

Professional services are ideal for discrete projects that require specialized expertise, while managed services provide continuous external management and support. Budget and cost predictability are essential too. Professional services involve one-time fees, whereas managed services often offer subscription-based models.

Consider the level of control your organization wants. Professional services offer greater control over details, while managed services retain custody as long as their contract is valid. Evaluate scalability — managed services adapt to business growth, while professional services may require renegotiation for any changes outside project specs. Managed services may cover a broader scope of work over a longer timeframe and include more services in their offer. Professional services have a scope with a clear definition of only specific services that relate to the project at hand.

Trust Our Experts to Manage Your Technology

Outsourcing IT tasks let internal teams focus on strategic initiatives, accelerating business progress. Professional and managed services both contribute to optimizing business productivity in several ways, starting with efficient problem-solving. Both services facilitate the smooth integration of new technologies, boosting organizational competitiveness, with the most significant difference being the timeframe and scope of work. The right choice is different for every business.

Kirbtech provides managed IT services to businesses across central Pennsylvania. Your company can benefit from a range of options, such as:

• Managed IT
• Cloud management
• Server assessments and assistance
• Network management
• On-site cabling
• VoIP phone systems
• IT hardware management
• Full-scope computer repair
• Security camera installation

Learn more about our competitive prices and how we grow alongside your business to meet your needs, and request your free consultation today!