What is a Managed Service?
In simple terms, a telecoms managed service typically refers to the outsourcing of the management and operation of a business's telecommunications infrastructure and services to a third-party provider. The Managed Service Provider (MSP) assumes responsibility for various aspects of the telecom environment, including voice communications, data networks, mobile devices, and related services.
Here are some key components typically included in a telecoms managed service:
Network Monitoring and Management: The MSP monitors the business's network infrastructure, including routers, switches, firewalls, and other network devices. They proactively identify and resolve network issues, optimise performance, and ensure high availability.
Voice Services: The MSP manages voice communication services, such as hosted Voice-over-IP (VoIP) solutions, traditional phone systems, call routing, voicemail, conferencing, and collaboration tools. They handle setup, configuration, ongoing maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Data Services: This involves managing the data connectivity and networking components of the business, including internet connectivity, Wide Area Networks (WANs), Local Area Networks (LANs), Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and related protocols. The MSP ensures secure and reliable data transmission and assists with capacity planning and network optimisation.
Mobility and Mobile Device Management (MDM): The MSP helps manage mobile devices and services, including smartphones, tablets, and mobile data plans. They may provide device provisioning, security management, application deployment, and support for mobile workforce enablement.
Service Desk and Support: The MSP typically offers a dedicated service desk or helpdesk to address user queries, troubleshoot telecom issues, and provide technical support. They may have Service Level Agreements (SLAs) in place to ensure timely response and resolution.
Vendor Management: The MSP liaises with multiple telecom service providers, hardware vendors, and other relevant vendors on behalf of the business. They handle contract negotiations, service provisioning, billing, and ongoing vendor relationship management.
Security and Compliance: The MSP implements security measures to protect the business's telecom infrastructure and sensitive data. This includes firewall management, intrusion detection and prevention, vulnerability assessments, and compliance with relevant regulations, e.g., data privacy laws.
By outsourcing telecom management to a specialised service provider, businesses can benefit from their expertise, resources, and ongoing support, allowing them to focus on their core operations while ensuring efficient and reliable communication services.
Business Benefits of a Managed Service
Integrating a telecoms managed service into a business can have several benefits, but whether it is better or not depends on the specific needs and circumstances of the business.
Here are some advantages of utilising a telecoms managed service:
Cost Savings: MSPs can often leverage their expertise and economies of scale to provide cost-effective telecom solutions. They can help streamline operations, reduce infrastructure costs, and offer flexible pricing models.
Expertise and Support: Telecoms' MSPs specialise in managing and optimising telecommunication systems. They possess the knowledge and experience to handle complex technologies, troubleshoot issues, and ensure the smooth operation of your business's telecom infrastructure. This allows your internal IT staff to focus on core business activities.
Scalability and Flexibility: MSPs can adapt to the changing needs of your business. Whether you need to scale up or down, add new services, or expand to different locations, they can provide the necessary resources and support without significant disruptions.
Proactive Monitoring and Maintenance: A telecoms managed service typically includes continuous monitoring of your network, identifying and addressing potential issues before they become critical problems. Regular maintenance, updates, and security patches are handled by the service provider, ensuring that your telecom infrastructure remains secure and up to date.
Enhanced Reliability and Uptime: MSPs often offer robust SLAs that guarantee high uptime and reliable performance. They have redundancy measures in place to minimise downtime, ensuring your business communications remain operational even during unforeseen events or outages.
Focus on Core Competencies: By outsourcing telecom management to a dedicated service provider, your business can focus on its core competencies and strategic initiatives. This can lead to increased productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness.
However, it's important to consider potential drawbacks as well. Outsourcing your telecom management means relying on an external provider, which may introduce some level of dependency and loss of control. Additionally, the cost-effectiveness of a managed service depends on factors such as the size of your business, the complexity of your telecom needs, and the competitiveness of the provider's pricing.
Ultimately, it's essential to evaluate your business's unique requirements, budget, and long-term goals to determine whether a telecoms managed service is a better fit for your organisation.
Disadvantages of a Managed Service
While there are several advantages to using a telecoms managed service, it's important to consider potential disadvantages as well.
Here are some drawbacks that businesses may encounter:
Loss of Control: By outsourcing the management of your telecom infrastructure to a third-party provider, you may have less control over the decision-making process and the day-to-day operations. This can result in a reduced ability to customise solutions or make immediate changes according to your specific needs.
Dependency on the Service Provider: Reliance on an MSP means your business becomes dependent on their performance and availability. If the provider experiences technical issues or service disruptions, it can impact your business operations and communications.
Security and Privacy Concerns: Entrusting your telecom services to any third-party involves sharing sensitive business data and information with them. It's essential to carefully assess the security measures and protocols employed by the MSP to ensure the protection of your data and compliance with relevant regulations.
Communication and Co-ordination Challenges: Working with an external service provider introduces an additional layer of communication and coordination. Effective collaboration and alignment between your business and the MSP are crucial to ensure that your specific requirements are understood and met.
Cost Considerations: Whilst an MSP can provide cost savings in many cases, it's important to carefully evaluate the pricing structure and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Some MSP's service agreements may have hidden costs or require long-term contracts, which may not align with your business's financial goals or flexibility needs.
Transition and Integration Challenges: Implementing a managed service solution may involve a transition period where your existing telecom infrastructure is migrated to the service provider's systems. This transition process can be complex and potentially disruptive if not managed effectively.
Vendor Lock-In: Depending on the terms of the contract, switching managed service providers or bringing the telecom management back in-house may be challenging. This can result in a level of vendor lock-in, limiting your ability to change providers or adjust services easily.
It's crucial to carefully assess the specific needs, priorities, and risks of your business before deciding to adopt a telecoms managed service. Conducting a thorough evaluation of potential providers, their track record, references, and contractual terms will help mitigate some of the potential disadvantages and ensure a successful partnership.
To find out more about how CloudComm 360 and a managed service can help you, why not get in touch? After all, as winner of the SME Northern Enterprise Award for Cloud Communication MSP of the Year 2023, it's proven, we know what we're talking about!
