NeoTech Networks LLC

A good example is a security product, let's say anti-virus software. You can purchase anti-virus yourself but you will never be sure if it's working correctly or even sending you alerts of a problem. With a managed services provider they take care of that product for you on all of your computers. So basically they "managed" it for you.

Absolutely! With a managed services provider most of the provided services should be fixed cost so they are predictable. There are also lots of other benefits like an employee leaving and all of that knowledge leaving with him.

The truth is what is included really varies differently depending on the provider. Some managed IT services providers include everything you will need by default and others just the bare bones and can pick the rest. Generally speaking you can expect all the basics to be covered like help desk, security software and monitoring. That's pretty much included in all basic offerings and then it scales up depending on the provider.

As far as I'm concerned an IT solution is one that solves a business problem. For example if you are paying someone to spend a massive amount of time moving around spreadsheets and what amounts to data entry, that can be automated. The actual tool to solve the problem isn't really that relevant but it's the solution that matters.

As the industry as involved at lightening speed an IT support should be more about being a business partner. Yes, help desk and computer updates are part of the service but the word support has become more solution and consulting orientated.

An example of an IT service, depending on your provider, is a fixed cost service that usually includes several things including support. So for example an IT service company could be providing support like help desk, security software and even consultation sessions. That could be included as part of the agreement and all under the umbrella of a service provided.