Common Misconceptions about Managed IT Services and Why They're Wrong

Businesses of all sizes and backgrounds view outsourcing as an optimal model for their IT needs. These businesses turn to managed service providers (MSPs) to support their in-house IT teams and meet their unique needs. This has caused a global managed services market boom, which will reach a value of $372.6 billion by 2028. Conversely, many businesses still choose to self-host and self-manage their IT infrastructure, but these are typically companies that have sizable in-house IT departments and significant resources.

Certain companies may still be unsure whether managed IT services are the right option. Common myths about outsourcing IT management make it even harder for businesses to decide between IT models. However, most common myths about managed IT service providers are pretty far from the truth. That’s why companies need to be fully aware of the common misconceptions about outsourced IT support.

This post focuses on seven common misconceptions about outsourced IT solutions. By knowing these common myths and the truth behind them, businesses will have peace of mind and the confidence to design an IT strategy and select an IT solution that meets their specific needs. Whether it’s a startup, small business, medium-sized business, or a large corporation, knowing the truth behind these common myths is essential.

Top 7 Common Myths About Managed IT Services

The following are the top 7 managed IT services myths that businesses must know the truth about. 

Myth #1: Businesses Compromise Control By Choosing Managed IT Services

One of the most prevalent misconceptions about managed IT services is that businesses lose control of their IT operations. While this is a valid concern, there is little to prove that this occurs when business owners opt for managed IT services. In fact, businesses can achieve higher levels of customization by choosing an MSP. A contract between a company and an MSP, known as a service level agreement (SLA), delineates roles and responsibilities. SLAs ensure that companies can decide what responsibilities they want and what responsibilities lie with the third-party provider. 

Myth #2: Businesses Lose In-House IT Teams By Choosing Third-Party Providers

There’s a misconception that managed IT services will replace internal IT teams or that in-house IT professionals may lose morale or productivity. This couldn’t be further from the truth. While MSPs provide a team of experts, an array of the latest technologies, and a robust backend IT infrastructure to support their customers, the goal is to augment existing in-house IT teams, not replace them. By choosing managed IT services, businesses can ensure that their in-house IT professionals reach their full potential rather than wasting time on projects that aren’t creative or human-centric.    

Myth #3: Managed IT Services Are Too Expensive 

The managed IT services market is full of diverse solutions. At first glance, businesses might feel overwhelmed by the volume and price tags of some of these solutions. However, when it comes to optimizing IT costs, outsourcing is the optimal solution for most businesses with limited resources. Self-hosting IT infrastructure is not cost-effective because companies have to reckon with upfront investments, infrastructure maintenance and upgrades, hardware and software replacements, and a cascade of other cost-related challenges. By choosing managed IT services, businesses will ensure that every dollar they spend is with intent, clarity, and purpose. 

Myth 4: Outsourcing IT Weakens Cybersecurity Posture 

Data breaches devastate organizations and prevent them from achieving many of their short-, mid-, and long-term business goals. According to The Independent, data breaches in 2023 affected more than 364 million people. Therefore, it’s no surprise that cybersecurity is a critical criterion for selecting an IT model. Giving a third-party MSP access to crown jewels and sensitive data might seem like a risk. However, businesses must keep in mind that data breaches plague all kinds of companies. MSPs are more capable when it comes to cybersecurity than most internal IT staff because they have access to a broad range of security resources, threat intelligence, and tools. Opting for managed IT services will boost an enterprise’s cybersecurity posture and support its internal teams in the war against cybercrime.   

Myth 5: Managed IT Services Suit Large Businesses Better

Some hold the opinion that outsourcing is an option better suited for large corporations. This argument has a few logical flaws because larger organizations typically have the resources to host their own IT infrastructure and tackle complex network management challenges. On the other hand, small and medium businesses often search for cost-saving options because they have limited in-house personnel, budgets, and resources. These smaller organizations typically need third-party support more than large enterprises. However, it’s important to remember that managed IT services can help any kind of enterprise, irrespective of size.

Myth 6: MSPs Present Availability Challenges

Understandably, certain people may think that self-managed IT infrastructure reduces the possibility of downtime and disruptions. However, the truth is that outsourced models have higher redundancy and are less likely to cause extended downtime. This is because MSPs typically have multiple servers, backups, and staff to ensure continuous uptime. Furthermore, even if presented with more complex challenges, MSPs can tap into their diverse resources and ecosystems to remediate issues swiftly and ensure that there are no service disruptions. As long as businesses choose reputed and reliable MSPs, availability is not an issue.  

Myth 7: All Managed IT Service Offerings Are The Same

While the best MSPs have offerings like IT services, security services, co-managed models, backup and disaster recovery options, mobile device management, managed communication services, and hardware-as-a-service (HaaS), it’s important to remember that not all MSPs are equal. Certain MSPs provide the offerings mentioned above as siloed solutions, whereas others offer a more holistic, all-in-one solution. Furthermore, top MSPs will conduct assessments to understand a business’s IT environments and requirements before providing their services. This is arguably the most important myth to debunk because businesses can cause irrecoverable damage by choosing the wrong MSP. Conversely, selecting the right MSP can enable a radical IT transformation.   

Conclusion

In this post, we debunked seven common myths and misconceptions about managed IT services and explained why they are wrong. We learned that businesses can have a lot of control over their IT environments, even in an outsourced model. We understood that in-house teams can significantly benefit from managed IT services rather than being replaced by them. We also learned that managed IT services are more cost-effective than self-managed IT models. 

Furthermore, managed IT services can significantly boost a business’s cybersecurity posture. While many believe that managed IT services are better for large corporations, the truth is that MSPs can serve businesses of all sizes. MSPs also ensure that companies don’t face any downtime or disruptions. 

Lastly, the biggest myth we debunked is that not all MSPs are identical. Choosing the wrong MSP can have disastrous implications, whereas the best MSPs in the world can provide businesses with profound advantages that can help them leap ahead of competitors.