What managed IT support covers
The details vary, but most services include:
- A helpdesk where your team can ask for help
- Monitoring and regular updates for computers and servers
- Email and cloud tools such as Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace
- Office internet, Wi-Fi and secure remote access
- Backups, and checks that they can be restored
Questions to ask a provider
Before you sign, ask:
- What is included, and what costs extra?
- How do we ask for help, and how are requests prioritised?
- Do you monitor and update our devices?
- How do you test that backups work?
- Who looks after security?
- What happens when someone joins or leaves?
- Can I see the terms in writing?
Warning signs
Be careful with a vague scope, no written terms, backups that are never tested, or a setup that only one person understands.
In-house or outsourced?
Smaller businesses often do not need a full-time IT employee. An outside team brings a wider range of skills, and some companies keep one internal contact and outsource the day-to-day work.