IT Support vs. Managed Services: What’s the Difference? 

When your in-house IT team is overwhelmed, understaffed, or nonexistent—your business is up against technology issues, and knowing what help to hire can be overwhelming. 

Business leaders have two main options when it comes to outsourcing: seek short-term support from a consultant or get ongoing help from a managed service provider. 

Every IT solution has its pros and cons depending on your business. However, making the wrong choice could have long-lasting negative impacts on your business. 

We’ll clarify the differences between these two approaches to help you make informed decisions regarding your IT needs.  

What is the difference between IT support and managed services? 

The primary differences between IT support and managed IT services are frequency and scope. IT consultants handle specific, immediate issues. Managed IT services offer ongoing support to prevent problems. 

IT Support Consultants (Definition and scope) 

IT support consultants handle specific IT issues or projects on a case-by-case basis. They offer quick solutions but may not be ideal for long-term planning. 

The nature of support consulting often involves short-term, piecework engagements centered on addressing specific problems or projects rather than scoping a long-term support strategy.  

Support consultants offer a few perks. You pay them only when you need them, which can save you money in the short term. They solve problems quickly and bring specialized knowledge to specific tasks. Plus, they can fix urgent issues to minimize downtime. 

Consultants excel in one-off projects that don’t clash with managed IT services. Consider them for tasks like a single server upgrade. They’ll do it cost-effectively, allowing you to use managed services for everyday IT health. 

However, consultants have downsides, too. They don’t offer ongoing support, so you might end up with quick fixes that don’t last. Also, those one-time fees can add up and make your costs unpredictable. 

Managed IT Services (Definition and scope) 

Managed IT services focus on comprehensive, ongoing management of IT infrastructure, unlike quick fixes from basic IT support. It’s the proactive and strategic approach to IT management. 

Managed service providers’ services ensure consistent IT health and alignment with your business goals. You usually pay a set monthly fee, making it easy to budget. The service includes regular check-ups to prevent IT problems and downtime. Plus, the ongoing strategy keeps your company’s equipment aligned with your changing business goals. 

However, managed IT services require trust and commitment. You rely on managed service providers to handle critical aspects of your technology infrastructure. 

Managed IT works best when you need long-lasting IT stability and a tech strategy that fits your business goals and you don’t want to hire an in-house team. While it’s a good fit for any size business that wants continuous support, it’s a must for industries like finance or healthcare that have strict rules to follow. 

Compared to ad-hoc support or freelance contractors, Managed IT offers better value. You get consistent, high-quality, proactive support at a cost that’s predictable and easy to budget. 

Challenges of relying solely on IT support or consultants 

If you need an internal IT person on staff to support your business, relying solely on IT consultants is problematic. It may lead to higher overall long-term costs, increased security risks, and less preventative action to safeguard against problems.  

Without a unified IT strategy, businesses tend to implement fragmented solutions, resulting in inefficiencies, incompatibilities, and missed opportunities for optimization. This lack of cohesion can lead to a less productive and secure environment. 

Another issue is the reactive nature of IT consulting. IT consultants address problems after they occur. You’re at the mercy of their waiting list with a first come, first serve ticket system—where timeliness is the exception, not the standard. This reactive approach can lead to increased downtime. 

Furthermore, IT support or consultants may cost more in the long run. While consultants may seem cost-effective on an ad hoc basis, the total costs of all the projects can exceed the fees you would’ve spent with a managed IT service provider. This creates unplanned financial stress over time. 

Why managed IT services are a worthwhile investment 

As the value of managed services rises, so will usage. More than 60 percent of organizations rely on managed services resources, with managed IT being a top category. The proactive approach, combined with the convenience of continuous monitoring, makes it an attractive investment. 

Managed service providers monitor systems continuously, identifying and mitigating potential IT issues before they escalate into major problems. This proactive stance reduces downtime, data loss, and costly emergency fixes. 

Access to continuous expertise is crucial. Unlike sporadic IT support or consultants who only help when a short-term project arises, managed IT services provide ongoing guidance. You get consistent access to experts who understand your infrastructure and needs. 

A tailored IT strategy is a hallmark of managed IT services. Providers ensure that IT infrastructure evolves in line with the company’s growth and changing requirements. This alignment helps businesses maintain a competitive edge and adapt to the evolving technology landscape. 

Speed of service is faster, more reliable, and dependable. Managed IT services prioritize quick response times, ensuring prompt resolution of IT issues. This speed and reliability contribute to enhanced operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. 

Conclusion 

When technology challenges hit a business with a lean IT department, businesses face a choice: irregular help from IT consultants or ongoing support from managed IT services.  

Consultants can tackle specific issues but don’t provide a seamless, long-term plan. Managed IT services offer continuous oversight, proactive fixes, and a tech strategy that grows with your business. 

If you’re seeking a comprehensive, long-term solution, managed IT services are often the better option.  

Learn how Chortek-managed IT services can help your business thrive. 

Recommended reading