In July 2024, a faulty CrowdStrike update crashed 8.5 million Windows devices, causing widespread Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors and crippling businesses worldwide. 

The fallout was massive:

• Banks, airlines, hospitals, and even 911 emergency services went offline, leaving companies scrambling for solutions. 
• Microsoft lost $23 billion in market value.
• Businesses relying on in-house IT teams struggled to recover quickly.

Chances that your company can be caught in a similar IT disaster is slim but never ZERO. Your systems go down, your customers can’t reach you, and your entire operation grinds to a halt. 

What’s worse? Your IT team is overwhelmed, updates take hours—or even days—to fix, and your competitors stay online while you lose revenue and trust with your users. With cybersecurity threats, software failures, and system crashes becoming more frequent, relying on a reactive IT strategy is a recipe for disaster.

But why wait for things to break?

Businesses that use Managed IT Services get 24/7 system monitoring, proactive maintenance, and disaster recovery planning to prevent issues before they cause damage. Whether it’s a failed software update, cybersecurity attack, or unexpected system crash, an MSP (Managed Service Provider) ensures your business stays protected and operational, no matter what happens.

What is Managed IT Services?

Basically the definition of Managed IT services means hiring an outside company to handle your tech needs. Instead of fixing problems after they happen, these companies work to stop issues before they start. They watch your systems day and night, update software, help with security, and give advice when needed. 

Companies choose to hand over their IT responsibilities to these experts to make their operations run smoother, save money over time, and simplify how they manage technology. This approach to IT outsourcing lets you focus on running your business while experts handle your technology.

The managed service provider handles all the agreed-upon IT tasks according to a service level agreement (SLA). This contract spells out what to expect for downtime, recovery plans, tech support, and help desk services. You typically pay a monthly fee for these services. 

And choosing a MSP is not that easy. MSPs are your partners with whom you have openly shared the soul of your company. Those on whom you can rely when things go southwards.

A Managed Service Provider (MSP) takes care of some or all of your IT tasks based on what you agree to in a contract. They keep an eye on things and fix problems—often before you even know they exist.

History of Managed IT Services

At the start of enterprise computing, IT services operated on a break/fix model. Technicians would fix computer systems only after they stopped working. This method was:

• Time-consuming
• Labor-intensive
• Costly
• Reactive

The evolution of managed IT services tells a compelling story of technological progress:

The 1990s: Application Service Providers (ASPs) began offering remote software support.

The Early 2000s: Managed Service Providers (MSPs) took it further—adding system monitoring, security, and full tech support.

The Cloud Era: Remote management scaled up. MSPs now offer full coverage: from backups to cybersecurity to planning your tech future.

As technology grew, the gap between technicians and the number of computers they could service widened. In the early 2000s, managed IT services emerged to meet this need, focusing on:

• Proactive maintenance
• Routine system monitoring
• Preventing problems before they start
• Streamlined system updates and patch management
• Scalable IT solutions for growing businesses

What are the Benefits of Managed IT Services?

The main goals of Managed IT services are to:

1. Keep your tech running smoothly

   • Quick fixing of any issues that do arise
   • Updating software and hardware before problems occur
   • IT maintenance services that prevent downtime

2. Fill the skills gap

   • Access to experts when your team lacks certain skills or time
   • Free up your staff to focus on growth and new ideas
   • External IT management that brings specialized knowledge

3. Help your business work better

   • Finding and fixing bottlenecks in your work processes
   • Connecting different systems so they work together

4. Cut down on tech problems

   • Building in safety nets so small issues don’t become big ones
   • Finding and fixing weak points before they cause trouble

5. Keep your data safe

   • Putting in place plans for responding to security breaches
   • Monitoring for unusual activity that could signal a threat

6. Save money on tech costs

   • Preventing costly system failures and data loss
   • Extending the life of your current equipment
   • Getting better deals on software licenses

7. Provide cost savings

   • Lower expenses compared to hiring in-house IT teams
   • Predictable monthly costs that help with budgeting
   • Reduce spending on training and staff turnover

8. Let you focus on your main business

   • Dealing with vendor relationships for tech products
   • Managing updates and changes to systems
   • Answering staff questions about tech tools

Do you need Managed IT Help?

Still unsure if your business needs managed IT services? Here’s how to know when it’s time to bring in a Managed Service Provider. When you are: 

1. Small to Medium Businesses

   • Not enough staff to handle IT tasks
   • Need big-company tech support on a smaller budget
   • Have 10-250 workers but can’t hire a full IT team
   • No IT leader to guide tech choices

2. Businesses with Special Needs

   • Must follow strict rules for data (like HIPAA)
   • Deal with private info that needs strong protection
   • Have had data stolen or hacked before
   • Staffs that work from home and need safe access

3. Specific Fields That Benefit

   • Medical offices that must protect patient records
   • Law firms with secret client files
   • Banks and money firms that need tight security
   • Stores with payment systems and shopper info
   • Factories with complex tech needs

4. When Your Setup Needs Help

   • Planning to update all your tech at once
   • Old systems that break down often
   • Facing too much downtime that hurts business
   • Need reliable IT service outsourcing to handle complex systems
   • Many offices that need the same IT care

5. Money Matters

   • Want fixed monthly costs instead of surprise bills
   • Need to focus on your main work, not fixing computers
   • Managed technology services provide scalable support during busy seasons
   • No room for an in-house tech team

How Much Should Managed IT Services Cost?

The price tag for Managed IT Service changes depending on several things about your business. Let’s look at what shapes the cost.

1. Company Size

   • More employees = more devices, accounts, and systems to manage.
   • Larger teams usually need broader support, more licenses, and stronger security.

2. Number of Devices or Users

   • Some MSPs charge per user (includes all devices per person).
     • MSPs usually charged $80 – $150 per user
   • Others charge per device (workstations, servers, printers, etc.).

3. Level of Support Needed

   Do you need basic maintenance, or do you want IT management solutions that cover your entire infrastructure, including:

   • 24/7 help desk
   • Cybersecurity
   • Cloud services
   • Data backups
   • Compliance monitoring (like HIPAA or GDPR)?

4. Service Level Agreements (SLAs)

   • Higher-priority support (like instant response times) usually costs more.
   • Lower-tier SLAs may offer slower response and limited coverage hours.

5. Industry Requirements

   Businesses in healthcare, finance, or legal often require advanced security, audits, and data protection—which raises costs.

6. Add-On Services

   Disaster recovery, remote monitoring, on-site support, and software management may come with extra fees.

   Some MSPs bundle everything, while others bill separately.

    

Need Help Figuring Out What You Should Pay?

Let’s break it down together. Whether you’re a small team or a growing company, we’ll help you find the right plan—without the guesswork.

Reach out to us to Get a quick quote

Common Challenges When Adopting Managed Services

When you start working with Managed Services, you might face these hurdles. Here’s some heads up, so that you can be ready for them to help smooth out the process.

1. Feeling Less in Control

   Handing over parts of your IT to someone else can make you nervous. You might wonder if things will be done right or if you’ll be stuck waiting when problems come up. Good tracking tools and regular check-ins help you stay in the loop.

2. Making Systems Work Together

   Your old systems and the new ones from your service provider might not play nice at first. Plan for some bumps as you connect everything. Ask your MSP about how they solved this for others.

3. Talking Past Each Other

   You and your service provider might have different ways of speaking about tech issues. This can lead to mix-ups. Set up clear ways to talk, like weekly calls or a shared chat channel.

4. Unclear Agreements

   Not knowing exactly what’s covered in your contract can cause headaches later. Make sure you know what services you’re getting, how fast help will come when needed, and what costs extra.

5. Data Safety Worries

   Sharing access to your systems means trusting someone new with your data. Ask about their safety measures and check if they follow rules like GDPR or other standards that matter to you.

6. Getting Your Money’s Worth

   It can be hard to see if you’re getting good value at first. Set up ways to measure how the service helps, like less downtime or fewer tech problems. Watch these numbers to make sure you’re getting what you pay for.

Why Choose Us As Your IT Partner?

From wondering “What is Managed IT service?” to making a real choice, you’ve come a long way. Now it’s time to decide if you want a Managed Service Provider by your side.

Remember, MSPs aren’t just vendors—they’re true partners. They’re the ones who catch you when tech problems hit, lift the IT weight off your shoulders, and give you peace of mind that your company is in good hands.

And why pick Delvetek? We’ve become a trusted leader in Infrastructure and Managed Services across Canada for good reasons:

• Our focus is creating an amazing experience for our customers
• We help your business gain an edge through smart IT choices
• We keep an eye on industry trends so you stay ahead of the game
• Our team brings decades of real-world experience to your business
• We make sure your IT and cloud systems meet the highest standards
• We build flexible solutions that grow as your business grows

Whether you need managed network security services, consulting services or dedicated cloud services, we have the skills and experience to help your business succeed.

When you partner with us, you’re not just getting tech support—you’re gaining a team that cares about your success as much as you do.