Cloud Managed Services: A Beginner’s Guide
what is managed services in cloud
Cloud computing, at its core, is the delivery of computing services—servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence—over the Internet (“the cloud”). This eliminates the need for organizations to maintain their own physical infrastructure, offering scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.
Managed services, on the other hand, take a proactive approach to IT management, providing ongoing support, monitoring, and optimization of cloud environments. Managed service providers (MSPs) act as an extension of an organization’s IT team, handling the complexities of cloud operations, allowing businesses to focus on their core competencies.
If you find the realm of cloud services platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud a bit bewildering, you’re not alone. To demystify these technical solutions, let’s draw a parallel with something more relatable – electricity. Imagine you’ve just built a new house and need power. You can either generate your own electricity or purchase it from the power company.
Opting for the DIY route means investing in power sources like windmills or solar panels. However, there are challenges—uncooperative weather, potential breakdowns, and scalability issues during events. Alternatively, you could buy electricity from the power company, paying a monthly fee for a reliable and adaptable service. Cloud service platforms, such as AWS, function similarly to the power company.
In the past, businesses had to procure and maintain their IT infrastructure, including servers, switches, fans, and cables. This approach was costly, quickly outdated, and prone to crashes during sudden increases in web traffic. Building and maintaining your IT infrastructure is like having a windmill in your backyard—expensive, time-consuming, and unreliable.
This is where cloud service platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform come in. Similar to the power company, they offer on-demand IT infrastructure via the cloud, boasting vast warehouses worldwide filled with servers, storage, databases, and everything needed to rule the internet.
Instead of managing everything in-house, businesses can leverage AWS to obtain precisely what they need and instantly scale resources. With AWS, accessing resources is nearly instantaneous, and companies only pay for what they use. Amazon takes care of owning and maintaining the required hardware, while customers provision and use services through a web application.
Today, many companies enlist specialists to design, optimize, and manage their resources on AWS. These network architects analyze business needs, considering aspects like security, web traffic patterns, data storage, and automation. Using Managed cloud providers like Activelobby, they diagram their network infrastructure, ensuring efficient spending on cloud computing.
Cloud Services vs. Managed Services: Navigating the Digital Landscape
In the dynamic realm of digital solutions, choosing between cloud services and managed services is a decision that can significantly impact the efficiency and functionality of your business. Let’s delve into the distinctions between these two approaches and explore the scenarios in which managed services emerge as the clear solution.
Who Needs Managed Services?
Scenario 1: The Allure of Cloud-Based Solutions
You may find yourself contemplating a cloud-based solution, attracted by the idea of modernity and flexibility. Perhaps your existing software is outdated, lacks essential functionality, and is no longer supported. The prospect of a cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution seems promising, especially if you believe your staff has the time and expertise to adapt.
Scenario 2: The Harsh Reality of Resource Limitations
However, a sobering reality may set in – your software issues are just the tip of the iceberg. Insufficient staff, a scarcity of time for training, and the monumental task of transitioning to a new system become glaring challenges. The allure of immediate access to new software via the cloud becomes overshadowed by the complexity of your organization’s needs.
Cloud Services: Access to Software Over the Cloud
If your primary requirement is swift access to updated software without delving into intricacies, a cloud-based solution might suffice. This option is ideal for those with existing staff who are adept at handling the workload and have the bandwidth to learn new software. However, for most businesses facing multifaceted challenges, this simplistic approach falls short.
Managed Services: Beyond Access to Software
For those grappling with staff limitations, budget constraints, and unique business requirements, a fully hosted managed solution emerges as the comprehensive answer. This transcends the mere access to software, offering dedicated resources, custom business processes, and implementation teams. Managed services recognize that your needs extend beyond the virtual realm; people, along with software, are crucial components of a successful strategy.
Don’t Succumb to Marketing Hype
Understanding the nuanced differences between cloud services and managed services is pivotal. It’s essential to distinguish wants from needs to avoid falling victim to the marketing hype surrounding cloud-based software. While a cloud solution can provide immediate software access, it may not address the intricate challenges that businesses often face.
In conclusion, cloud computing, as exemplified by AWS, revolutionizes the way businesses handle IT infrastructure. It provides a scalable, cost-effective, and reliable solution, akin to purchasing electricity from a power company. Now, you can focus on what your business does best while leaving the complexities of IT infrastructure to the experts.
And speaking of experts, if you’re exploring cloud-managed services, consider checking out Activelobby’s Cloud Managed Services. With our expertise and commitment to optimizing cloud resources, Activelobby can help your business navigate the ever-evolving landscape of cloud computing seamlessly. Embrace the power of the cloud without the hassle—let Activelobby be your Cloud Partner.
