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Outsourcing IT operations and software development services has been a common means of streamlining output, while keeping costs at bay. While IT and software outsourcing becomes ‘the secret that everyone knows and does’, there’s another outsourcing model that makes less rounds – but is just as effective.

Enter managed services, where companies handle the entire IT operation on behalf of their client. This means that your IT services partner will represent your organisation for all things pertaining to whatever it is they are delegated.

Whether it’s for cyber security or for managing your cloud infrastructure, managed IT services, while requiring greater financial and contractual commitments, offer proportionately greater value thanks to the adoption of high-calibre resources and expertise.

As a result, managed services models are increasingly attracting much buzz among technology-focused companies in Australia. So much so, that companies are willing to shell out more, if it delivers excellent results that strike the perfect balance between bottom line growth and technological innovation.

Which is why in this article, we focus on three reasons why managed IT services are worth the time, effort, and investment for medium to large companies in Australia. Additionally, we’ll be covering some key business units that commonly undergo the managed services model.

Looking for a managed IT services provider? As a premier IT consulting services company in Australia, EFutures specialises in building bespoke and highly qualified teams for undertaking entire departments under its belt.

 Our workforce comprises experts that have worked with teams around the world, giving them international exposure to tackle nuances across multiple markets, time zones, as well as regulatory environments.

 Contact us today to know how we help companies in Australia set up managed IT services operations – as well as what we can do for the unique requirements of your very own business!

1.   Leaving it to the experts renders peace of mind

Entrusting competent IT experts with crucial operations is something that is bound to give you confidence, knowing that your business rests in the right hands. This is ultimately one of the biggest drivers of managed IT services, as opposed to other financially focused reasons that otherwise dominate outsourcing projects.

For larger corporations in Australia especially, obtaining managed services for IT is an all-round wiser decision as more stakes are at play. From extensive customer bases and physical facilities, to numerous digital contact points and intricate workflows, the pressure to deliver accurately, quickly, and by fulfilling legal obligations, is intense.

As a result, delegating managed IT services to a firm you trust can keep the operational ball rolling on a round-the-clock basis, all the while knowing that any crises will be expertly handled.

2.   Long-term partnerships can deliver budget-friendly contracts

While managed services are heavier on the budget owing to the adoption of entire teams (quite often on a 24/7 basis, that too) via a third-party IT consulting company, the results they reap are also typically of a higher calibre. For example, a security operations centre (SOC) sourced, stationed, and maintained on a managed services basis shall be available round-the-clock for cyber monitoring and incident response, also alerting necessary teams along the way lest any compromises happen.

Pretty much the same applies to other business units that are managed by third-party IT consulting companies. In the case of cloud management and compliance, teams essentially function as back offices, working through multiple time zones. This means that when teams in Australia are off and done for the day, your managed back office in Asia will still be operating, thereby giving your teams at home a chance to coordinate if urgent.

Large-scale arrangements that are conducive to facilitating managed IT services also require equally complex (and austere) contracts. Obligations are also typically on a long term basis, especially if IT outsourcing companies have had to invest in additional facilities, equipment, expertise and other resources to deliver managed services.

However, these contracts may also come bundled with a host of other services, thereby enabling Australian businesses to have a single partner that they can consult for all their needs. In other words, a managed IT services company can replace a custom software development company, cyber security vendor and even an analytics firm, as all these services can be provided under one roof, and through one large contract.

3.   Making space and freeing time for business operations that need your attention the most

Aside from delegating your IT operations to experts who have long-standing experience in what they do, freeing up internal teams is another significant driver for the adoption of managed teams. When internal teams are freed from tasks that aren’t core to the overarching strategy of your business, they can now spend that time focusing on ideas and analyses that can aid in executive-level decision making.

However, functions such as cyber security and compliance management for instance, while obligatory by nature for protecting enterprise systems and remaining lawful respectively, are still extremely crucial; missing a cyber breach or failing to comply with certain regulations carry harsh consequences.

Therefore no compromise can be done for these business units – especially in this day and age when cyber breaches run rampant, and governments tighten compliance requirements for protecting confidential data. Managed IT services, as a result, offer the perfect amalgamation of superior round-the-clock expertise and business streamlining for companies – which, in turn, makes it a no-brainer for many larger businesses in Australia that function within highly regulated industries.

Key business units for managed IT services

Cloud services management and cloud cost optimisation

Identifying the most cost-efficient pricing models, managing subscriptions of cloud-based infrastructure such as virtual compute power and servers, and managing data migration strategies are some tasks undertaken by managed cloud service teams.

With cloud services now forming the foundation for business data, software development and AI development today, companies can forgo the hassle of liaising with their cloud service provider – and allow a managed IT services company to do it on behalf of them.

Cyber security and data protection

Managed security service providers (MSSPs) are a key cyber security offering, which includes round-the-clock SOCs for monitoring network perimeters and managing threats. Additionally, managed security teams can also assist software development teams with a security-first approach to building software, by conducting security audits, monitoring attack surfaces, and even red teaming.

AI ethics management

With AI forming a significant part of the digital transformation strategies of most businesses today, building agents and intelligent workflows require the ethical use of confidential data. All of this requires obtaining, storing and using data for LLM training purposes – along with relevant consent from various stakeholders.

This is where AI ethics come in – something that a managed compliance team, or even an MSSP can likely undertake.

Privacy and compliance management

Privacy and compliance are two business units that always require dedicated expertise – with many businesses also requiring legal experts to advise them in these areas. For companies in Australia, partnering with an IT services consulting firm that specialises in privacy and compliance management is a sensible decision, especially if obligations are complex and of a high volume.

Help desk and ITSM

IT support services are one of the most common business units that are outsourced by companies, and businesses in Australia are no exception. Whether it’s setting up new accounts for users, or ad hoc troubleshooting, IT help desk and service management is highly crucial, forming part of after-sales operations that help take care of (and hence retain) customers successfully.

In conclusion…

Managed IT services in Australia are now a commonplace solution for medium to larger companies looking to streamline business operations, while keeping costs at bay. But managed IT services go beyond the routine cyber checkup or technical support help desk service, today. Many top IT services consulting/outsourcing companies that also deliver managed services, now do so across many more business units, essentially functioning more as a partner that handles vital services, as opposed to a silent back office operation.

Managed IT services offer Australian enterprises benefits such as:

• Management of business operations by dedicated and highly seasoned experts, many of whom have niche expertise within specific domains,
• Faster ROI and increased savings in the long run, especially as contracts are for longer durations,
• The autonomy for executive teams to focus on business ideas and issues that require their attention, as regular business operations are delegated to managed service providers.

Cloud resource optimisation, AI ethics and compliance are some business units that are now frequently being delegated to managed IT services companies in Australia, in addition to areas such as IT support and cyber security.

Much scope has now been created, when it comes to managed services in the technology sector. Subsequently, companies in Australia also have more options now for directing internal resources towards strategic initiatives and executive decision making – while the rest is left to qualified, veteran experts via a managed services model.