The Average Cost of Managed IT Services: A Detailed Guide

Chances are, if you are not running an IT business, you still have IT needs. If you use computers, electronics, or just the internet, you need experts to keep it all working.

Forbes reported that 89% of all companies have a digital-first approach, so it’s safe to say that technology is a big part of the business.

But not every business has the expertise it needs to get the best performance. That’s why managed IT services are exactly what your business needs.

But how much do they typically cost? Read on to learn more.

What Are Managed IT Services?

There are a variety of different tasks that an IT department is responsible for. These include:

• General IT support
• Cloud services
• Cybersecurity
• Optimize data utility
• Assist with strategic IT planning

While all of these are services you should be looking for, some companies will go the extra mile to provide 24/7 support and other support.

There are plenty of managed service providers out there, so picking the right IT services is important for your business. To learn what you should be looking for, follow these tips.

How Much Do Managed Services Cost?

There are a variety of factors that impact the price of IT support for businesses.

Companies may charge per user, per workstation, per server, or some combination of these factors. Despite the range of factors that impact pricing, many of these services will work out at a similar total.

The typical range is as follows:

• Per user $100 to $250
• Per workstation $25 to $100
• Per server $75 to $400

Obviously, such a drastic range is affected by the services that are provided and what range of coverage you decide to purchase.

Some other important costs that should be noted are potential contracts that may last a year or more and possible onboarding fees to get started.

Types of Managed IT Services

Many managed IT service providers have a variety of packages available so that you can purchase the service that fits your business needs best.

For example, a large business may have the finances available to pay for full coverage when it comes to managed IT services and get the premier service, but small business IT support needs may be considerably less. In those cases, you might just want help with a couple of services on specific days and times.

There are plenty of options at different price points to explore.

Partially Managed IT Services

If you have an employee who currently manages your IT needs or possibly a small team, you might consider the benefits of a partially managed service.

Having some staff who are in-house is a more comfortable option for some businesses, however, a managed IT service provider can take on complex or difficult tasks that your team is unable to accomplish themselves.

This option can be flexible with options to choose which services are outsourced and what days and times you need them which can be cost-effective.

Obviously, one of the cons of this type of service is that it complicates the line of communication rather than having a service provider who can manage and provide all of the necessary services and report directly to the employer.

Fully Managed IT Services

Often, small to mid-sized businesses find it simpler and cheaper to outsource all of their IT management to a service provider.

Having the expertise of a dedicated company means that the business can shift its focus away from the tasks which they are not primarily concerned with. There is no need to spend time researching and defining the needs and then recruiting for those positions as you have a service you can rely on to take the lead.

This type of service should also have regular reports included so that you can see exactly what the service provider is adding to your business as well as being contactable whenever you need them.

Once you have decided whether you need partial or full management services, it’s time to choose what level of service you need.

Basic Service

A basic package will typically provide you with monitoring of your systems and servers to highlight any potential security risks.

This is typically the cheapest regular cost, however, if you do have a threat pop up or find yourself in need of a service that is not included, the premiums can be pretty high.

Mid-Range Service

The price here will likely be a significant increase from the basic package, but the service also steps up accordingly. With a basic service, you have support watching for potential threats and notifying you, but acting may be slow and expensive.

Mid-range services will usually have a team supporting your business and ready to act when problems arise. So not only will you be notified of an issue, but your IT service provider will take the initiative to start fixing it early.

This is the best option for most businesses because it tends to be the most cost-effective in the long run, saving you time and energy when issues pop up as well as offering a number of services not available on the basic package level.

These additional services may include:

• 24/7 IT support
• On-site support
• IT planning
• IT strategy
• System backups
• Remote support
• Disaster recovery

High-End Services

The high-end or premium packages offered are not necessary for every type of business. They typically offer services that may be more niche like cloud systems and remote access.

This will come with all the benefits of the previous tiers but also offer additional benefits like a dedicated team for your business, upgrading and installing new hardware (this will usually have additional costs for equipment), and more.

Managed Services Near Me

When it comes to managed IT services, prices don’t tend to vary too much in the industry, but it may be worth contacting a couple of different services to get a quote.

Remember the details from this article or come back to see the things you should be looking for and inform your decision.

For more great advice and guides on business and technology, check out our other articles and write for us in technology.