Alexander Monderkamp gets to the bottom of the question and dispels many prejudices.
Düsseldorf – 22.10.2021
Alexander Monderkamp
Key Account Manager
Since 2017, Alexander has been advising companies of all sizes and industries on the modernisation, migration and implementation of IT infrastructures.
What is an IT Solution Provider?
The word “solution” is often just a catch-all term for everything to do with IT. But there is a big difference between package solutions and real IT solution providers.
Even a single software application is referred to as a turnkey solution. Sure, it solves a certain problem, but only one. A comprehensive IT solution, on the other hand, consists of several compatible products and services that mesh like cogs and make work and life easier.
From IT solution providers and IT service providers to service providers or managed service providers (MSP) and Internet service providers (ISP) – all providers have in common the fact that they provide IT services for companies and organisations. The differences only arise in the scope and type of services, products and solutions.
In the past, it was mainly the large companies that bought in managed IT services. IT departments were thus supposed to be relieved of less business-critical tasks. In the past, traditional medium-sized companies have always had qualms about involving an external company in their IT strategy and buying in managed services. On the one hand for fear of unauthorised access, on the other for reasons of false pride. Bringing in help is a clear sign of strength. IT service providers perform the same services for numerous clients on a daily basis, so they usually have more know-how and a greater wealth of experience. Experience that other companies can benefit from. Due to the fact that the growing complexity of IT is overwhelming many employees in companies, SMEs are now also turning to managed services from IT solution providers.
Since both management and control remain in the hands of the entrepreneur, managed services should not be equated with outsourcing. Often only parts of the IT are handed over, so that the assets remain in the company. Consequences such as job cuts in the IT department or the loss of control over one’s IT infrastructure are unfounded.
What are the services of an IT solution provider?
An IT solution provider provides precisely defined IT services for its clients in advance. The services offered usually cover a broad spectrum. For example, a solution provider takes care of the operation of the infrastructure, updates the software and licences used and monitors systems, servers and processes in order to detect faults at an early stage. The offer is often rounded off with backup offers and protection mechanisms against cyber attacks. So he takes care of everything, from the initial concept to installation and ongoing support.
You can find a detailed overview of weSystems’ IT services here:
The IT systems can certainly be operated on-premise, i.e. on the customer’s premises. The provider then administers and monitors them via remote tools. This is also referred to as remote engineering. IT solution providers can also provide the company with services that are operated on their own infrastructure in the data centre. And then there is the possibility of setting up IT services on a cloud platform.
A reliable IT service provider develops a customised solution together with the client that covers all aspects of the requirements. In doing so, he should take enough time to get to know his discussion partner and the company. A provider who asks a lot of questions is more likely to respond to the needs of the business and develop a lasting solution that grows with your business and helps to meet or exceed business objectives.
What are the advantages of working with an IT solution provider?
Companies that rely on IT solution providers benefit from numerous advantages.
Relief for the specialist department
Employees in IT departments are often entrusted with tasks that take up a lot of time, such as backups, patches or a battery or hard drive replacement in the server. By outsourcing routine tasks, companies create more time for core tasks again.
Shortage of skilled workers
It is still difficult to find well-trained IT employees who have the required skillset. When working with an IT solution provider, you avoid this problem because you draw from a pool of highly qualified specialists and are provided with the right contact person for every concern.
Reliability, not only in an emergency
Anyone who has ever experienced a failure of their productive systems knows how quickly a shirt is sweated through. IT service providers almost always guarantee availability of at least 99.95%, which is achieved through appropriate (geo-)redundancies.
Improve IT security
The number of cyberattacks will not decrease in the future. Either companies have already been attacked or they will be. IT solution providers have more powerful tools to protect themselves and more security expertise.
Higher agility through digitalisation
Technologies are advancing at a rapid pace. There are always innovations. By the time an SME has implemented a technology, it is already outdated. With shared services, IT providers have the ability to roll out new technologies much faster and also achieve better scalability.
The view from outside
An external’s view of the company often reveals weaknesses in systems and processes that are not perceived by the company itself. Often entrepreneurs are simply unsure of which path to take. An IT solution provider brings in its expertise from other customer projects and outlines the various options with corresponding considerations. This also helps to save costs.
Transparent costs
Managed services are recurring services with monthly billing. Depending on the services booked, an additional consumption-related cost block is added, such as with cloud services. This cost block can be planned into the budget and creates planning security.
But what also needs to be taken into account?
If there are advantages, there must also be disadvantages.
Supposed high costs
At first glance, the impression is often given that managed services are expensive. However, foregoing bought-in IT support in order to keep costs low almost always proves to be a fallacy and a misjudgement. As a company, you have to ask yourself how expensive a complete failure or attack of the IT systems is. Should this happen more than once, the respective end customers will also question whether the cooperation is forward-looking.
IT solution providers develop customised IT solutions for their clients. They work hand in hand with partners who provide them with the necessary components, such as a carrier for the network and a distributor for the necessary hardware and licences. This is the only way to create a holistic solution that is orchestrated and managed by the IT solution provider. Of course, companies could also purchase the services individually and assemble them into a solution on their own. However, the administrative and technical effort as well as the challenge are underestimated. It is more efficient to have one contact person who takes care of all issues and writes a monthly invoice. And it is obvious that the provider has more favourable purchasing conditions in order to remain competitive.
Dependence on the IT service provider
As a rule, IT service providers and companies conclude annual contracts for the services to be provided. If a large number of business-critical IT systems are handed over to the service provider in a short period of time and the service provider does not provide the service as agreed, an unwanted dependency arises. The contract terms put companies in an unattractive position. No matter how many penalty clauses there are in the signed service level agreement (SLA). In this situation, the loss of reputation and anger cannot be offset with money. That’s why it is all the more important to take a close look at the IT service provider in advance and also obtain references.
Conclusion
Solution providers offer IT services as customised solutions for companies. The services, based on the latest technologies, range from computing and storage to network and security to managed services and migration services. They not only offer everything from a single source, but can also guarantee high quality and offer competitive conditions thanks to their partner network.
About weSystems
As an IT solution provider, weSystems specialises in the planning, implementation and operation of IT infrastructures, data centre services and site networking and connectivity. We also offer a complementary portfolio of managed & migration services. With our flexibility and agility, we implement customer projects unbureaucratically, reliably and quickly. With our modern IT solutions, we make you and your end customers even more successful and ensure your unique competitive edge.
Reduce costs, increase performance: the switch to Managed Proxmox
In the world of IT infrastructure, numerous technologies have emerged in recent years to help companies use their resources more efficiently and respond more flexibly to change. One of these advanced tools is Proxmox, which is not only powerful but also a cost-effective solution for IT management.
More than just cloud: weSystems as a trailblazer for progress
In a world where cloud technology has revolutionized the way companies manage their IT infrastructures, features, automation and seamless connectivity have become critical key factors.
