FAQs:

1. What is Managed IT Support?
   • Managed IT Support provides technical support, troubleshooting, and system maintenance to businesses, ensuring smooth operation of IT assets. It often includes proactive measures like remote monitoring to prevent issues before they occur.
2. How does Managed IT Support differ from Managed IT Services?
   • Managed IT Support focuses on day-to-day technical support, while Managed IT Services encompass a broader range of IT solutions aimed at strategic IT management and overall IT infrastructure enhancement.
3. Is Managed IT Support suitable for small to medium enterprises (SMEs)?
   • Yes, Managed IT Support is suitable for SMEs as it offers a modular approach to meet tech needs without overstretching the budget.
4. How does Managed IT Support aid in cloud migration and managing cloud-based networks?
   • Managed IT Support provides the expertise and resources necessary for migrating to the cloud and managing cloud-based networks, ensuring seamless transition and ongoing operation.
5. What role does cybersecurity play in Managed IT Support?
   • Cybersecurity in Managed IT Support involves continuous monitoring, timely updates, and rapid response to potential threats, creating a secure IT environment for businesses.
6. Is migration to cloud services such as Office365 usually included in a Managed IT Support Contract?
   • Contracts come in different shapes and sizes. While existing setups are typically covered under a contract, it's common for SME support contracts to charge for changes in infrastructure like migrating to cloud services such as Office365. However, this isn't always the case, and the specifics can vary from one contract to another.
7. How does Managed IT Support contribute to cost savings?
   • Managed IT Support helps in reducing unexpected IT expenses, provides access to a team of IT experts at a fixed monthly cost, and allows in-house staff to focus on core business tasks, contributing to overall cost savings.
8. Can Managed IT Support assist with compliance and regulatory requirements?
   • In most cases, Managed IT Support can assist with ensuring that your IT environment complies with necessary industry regulations and standards, helping to mitigate risks associated with non-compliance. However, the extent of compliance support may vary between different service providers and contract specifics.
9. How is the cost of Managed IT Support determined?
   • The cost of Managed IT Support is often determined on a per user, per month basis, though it can also be tailored based on the specific needs and scale of a business.
10. What are the benefits of Managed IT Support?
    • Managed IT Support offers numerous benefits including cost efficiency, access to expert technical support, enhanced cybersecurity, scalability, and the ability to focus on core business operations.
11. What does Fully Managed IT Support entail?
    • Fully Managed IT Support covers a wide range of services including patch management, on-site support, cybersecurity, and standardized PC setup and installations, offering a comprehensive IT solution.
12. How does Managed IT Support handle common technical issues?
    • Managed IT Support handles common technical issues through a combination of remote troubleshooting, on-site visits when necessary, and proactive monitoring to prevent issues before they occur.
13. How much does Managed IT Support typically cost for SMBs?
    • For small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the UK, the cost of Managed IT Support typically ranges between £15-£45 per user, per month as of 2023. The pricing largely depends on the inclusions such as the type of remote monitoring and remote support software provided, which are usually the most expensive components for a Managed IT Support company. Other factors like the scale of your business, the level of support required, and any additional services chosen can also impact the cost.

Managed IT Support vs. Managed IT Services:

Managed IT Support is a specific service model falling under the broader umbrella of Managed IT Services. It primarily focuses on day-to-day technical support and troubleshooting to ensure the smooth operation of IT assets within an organisation.

On the other hand, Managed IT Services encompass a more extensive range of IT solutions, extending beyond daily technical support to strategic IT consulting, cybersecurity strategies, network management, and more, aiming to holistically manage an organisation's IT infrastructure and align IT strategies with business objectives.

In summary, Managed IT Support addresses immediate technical challenges, while Managed IT Services provide a broader suite of services aimed at achieving long-term operational efficiency and strategic IT goals.

Benefits of Managed IT Support:

• Cost Efficiency: Transition from unpredictable IT expenses to a predictable monthly fee, aiding in better budget management.
• Expertise Access: Gain access to a team of IT specialists dedicated to resolving technical issues swiftly, ensuring minimal downtime.
• Focus on Core Operations: Redirect crucial resources from IT troubleshooting to core business functions, fostering growth and innovation.
• Enhanced Security: Elevate your business's cybersecurity stance with continuous monitoring and timely updates, mitigating the risks of cyber threats.
• Scalability: Adapt the level of IT support as your business evolves, ensuring your tech infrastructure aligns with your growth trajectory.

Co-Managed IT Support: A Collaborative Approach:

The Co-Managed IT Support model is a collaborative approach where external Managed IT Support providers work alongside an organisation's office admin staff, who often handle day-to-day office administration tasks. This model is particularly beneficial for organisations where the admin staff, while not IT experts are tasked with IT-related responsibilities such as setting up new machines and user accounts, managing staff leavers/account closures, especially on platforms like Office365, handling telephone systems, and managing licenses for antivirus, Office365, telephones, and other software.

Given the varied and sometimes complex nature of these tasks, especially when staff turnover can result in loss of process knowledge, having a Co-Managed IT Support structure in place ensures that there's always a consistent level of IT expertise available. This collaborative model provides a blend of internal administrative knowledge and external technical expertise, making it easier to manage both routine and more complex IT tasks.

Through Co-Managed IT Support, organisations can ensure smooth onboarding and offboarding processes, efficient license management, and a reliable IT setup, all while benefiting from the external IT expertise that can help navigate more complex IT challenges, including cybersecurity and cloud management.

Key Advantages of Co-Managed IT Support:

• Extended Expertise: Harness a broader spectrum of IT expertise by combining the administrative knowledge of in-house staff with the technical expertise of external IT professionals.
• Resource Optimisation: Allocate external IT support for more complex or technical tasks, freeing up in-house staff to focus on other administrative or strategic projects.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Achieve a higher level of IT service and expertise without the overhead costs of expanding in-house IT staff.
• Enhanced Productivity: A collaborative approach ensures rapid resolution of IT issues, leading to smoother operations and, ultimately, improved productivity.
• Customised Support: Tailor the level of external support to complement the capabilities of in-house staff, ensuring a balanced and effective IT management strategy.