The terms "managed services" and "unmanaged services" are often used in the context of IT and cloud services, and they refer to different levels of service and support provided to businesses.
Managed Services
1. Service Provider Responsibility:
In a managed services model, the service provider takes responsibility for managing and maintaining the IT infrastructure, applications, or systems on behalf of the client. This includes monitoring, maintenance, security, backups, and sometimes even end-user support.
2. Proactive Support:
Managed services are typically proactive. The service provider monitors systems continuously, identifies potential issues before they become problems, and implements solutions to prevent downtime.
3. Comprehensive Management:
The provider often handles all aspects of the service, from setup and configuration to ongoing maintenance and updates. This can include software updates, security patches, and compliance management.
4. Predictable Costs:
Managed services are usually provided on a subscription basis, with predictable monthly costs. This makes budgeting easier for businesses, as they know what to expect in terms of expenses.
5. Expertise and Resources:
Service providers often have specialized expertise and resources, which can be beneficial for businesses that lack the internal capabilities to manage complex IT environments.
6. Focus on Core Business:
By outsourcing IT management, businesses can focus more on their core activities, leaving the technical details to the service provider.
Unmanaged Services
1. Client Responsibility:
In an unmanaged services model, the client is responsible for managing and maintaining their own IT infrastructure or systems. The service provider simply offers the infrastructure or platform without additional support or management.
2. Reactive Support:
Support is usually provided on a reactive basis. Clients may need to handle issues as they arise, without proactive monitoring or management from the service provider.
3. Self-Service Management:
Clients are responsible for setup, configuration, maintenance, updates, and security. This means they need the necessary technical skills and resources to manage the services effectively.
4. Variable Costs:
Costs can be variable and potentially unpredictable, as they may depend on the level of usage, the need for additional resources, or the requirement for ad-hoc support services.
5. Flexibility and Control:
Unmanaged services offer more flexibility and control to the client. They can configure and manage the services according to their specific needs without constraints imposed by a service provider.
6. Risk and Responsibility:
The client assumes more risk, as they are responsible for ensuring the reliability, security, and performance of their systems.
