Managed services vs. professional services differ in their approach and scope of work. Managed services offer ongoing, proactive support and management of IT systems and infrastructure, while professional services focus on specific projects or tasks.
“Choosing whether or not to outsource your IT services isn’t a black and white answer. Choosing to outsource is only your first decision. Then, you need to choose how you plan to outsource your IT.“
– Matt Mulcahy, Director of Business Development at ProSource
Given this difference, it wouldn’t be correct to say that one is better than the other. It’s more accurate to say that each serves its own purpose. Choosing between managed IT services and professional services completely depends on what you want to accomplish.
Of course, each has its pros and cons. Whether the pros of one outweigh the cons depends on your specific challenge and risk tolerance in each area. These questions are what this article will explore. We’ll show you the intricacies of each service to help you make a more informed decision.
When Should You Use Managed IT Services?
If you experience frequent IT issues or have a complicated IT infrastructure, managed IT services are probably your best option. A managed services provider (MSP) can provide proactive services such as network monitoring to reduce the frequency of issues.
For instance, proactive IT management has been proven to reduce user IT support ticket requests by 15%. Managed IT services can help significantly minimize productivity losses from downtime, says CloudSecureTech.
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When Should You Use Professional IT Services?
Professional IT services are best for short-term project-based tasks. Companies that opt for professional services over managed IT usually have an in-house team and simply need a temporary expansion during a major project or busy period.
For example, you may hire a professional services team for a cloud migration project, assuming you’re not in need of additional support post-migration. Such services account for 36.9% of the IT provider market. So, while MSPs are slightly more common, project-oriented professional services are still relatively widely available.
Managed IT Services: Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Managed IT services offer predictable monthly costs that can save businesses 25%-45% on their IT expenses. | Businesses have less control over specific IT processes, which can be a drawback for those needing customized solutions. |
| These services provide proactive maintenance and monitoring, which reduces the likelihood of unexpected issues. | There is a potential for misalignment with business goals if the service provider does not fully understand your business needs. |
| Businesses gain access to a team of experts without the need to hire and train in-house staff. | Companies may become dependent on the service provider, making it challenging to switch providers if necessary. |
| Managed IT services offer scalable solutions, making it easier for growing businesses to expand their IT capabilities. | The provider may lack deep industry-specific knowledge, which can limit the effectiveness of the services in niche markets. |
| These services often include enhanced cybersecurity measures and knowledge of emerging cyber threats. | Response times can be slower compared to having an in-house IT team immediately available. Although, this varies based on the provider’s SLA. |
| 24/7 support availability ensures that help is always on hand. | Service contracts may include hidden fees that lead to higher costs than initially anticipated. |
Professional IT Services: Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Professional IT services provide specialized expertise for complex projects. | These services often come with higher initial costs, which can be a barrier for some businesses. |
| They offer custom solutions tailored on a project-to-project basis instead of on high-level business needs. | Support is typically limited to the duration of the project, which may not provide long-term benefits. |
| Professional services provide flexibility in project execution. | Managing multiple vendors for different tasks can become cumbersome and lead to coordination issues. |
| These services can integrate innovative technologies. | The availability of specific experts can be inconsistent, potentially delaying projects. |
| A one-time investment for specific tasks allows you to avoid recurring costs. | The cost of having to rehire services for every new project can add up over time. |
| Knowledge transfer to internal teams can occur, which helps build internal capabilities and reduce future reliance on external providers. | There is a risk of miscommunication during project handover, which can lead to misunderstandings and project delays. |
Questions to Ask Yourself As You Decide Between Managed and Professional IT Services
What are your specific IT needs?
Assess your current and future IT requirements to determine whether you need specialized services or broad support. Managed services offer comprehensive support, while professional services focus on specific projects.
How much in-house expertise do you have?
Evaluate your internal IT team’s capabilities. If your team lacks certain skills, managed services can fill those gaps. Professional services might be ideal for one-time projects requiring specialized knowledge.
What level of support do you need?
Determine the level of ongoing support you require. Managed services offer continuous monitoring and maintenance, while professional services might provide support only during and immediately after project completion.
Explore More About How You Can Optimize Your IT Processes |
What is your risk tolerance?
Consider your willingness to handle IT-related risks. Managed services can mitigate risks with proactive security monitoring and updates. Professional services might leave more risk management tasks to your internal team.
How complex is your IT environment?
Assess the complexity of your IT infrastructure. Managed services can handle complex, multi-faceted environments with integrated solutions, while professional services are better suited for specific workloads.
How critical is compliance?Consider your industry’s regulatory requirements. Typically, managed services include compliance management, while professional services might require separate compliance engagements.
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Instead of Choosing Between Managed Services vs. Professional Services, Choose A Provider That Can Offer Both!
One unique advantage of partnering with an MSP is that most MSPs can do the project-based work that professional services handle. There’s no reason for you to outsource professional services if you already have a managed IT contract.
By choosing ProSource as your IT partner, you’ll get the best of both worlds. We’re a uniquely compliance-focused MSP that provides ideal managed and professional services for highly-regulated industries.
Our services include:
- IT Support
- Helpdesk Services
- Network Monitoring
- Cybersecurity Solutions
- IT Outsourcing
- IT Consulting
- Disaster Recovery
Contact us today for more information.
