“Managed services” is one of those phrases that sounds expensive and vague. As Vice President of Operations at DirecTech Connect, where I oversee managed services for VoIP, telecommunications and IT, here’s how I explain it to business owners.
It means someone is responsible. When your phone system goes down or a computer won’t connect, you don’t have to figure out who to call or search for a fix. One team owns the problem and fixes it.
It means help choosing, not just fixing. Most small businesses are stuck choosing between several phone platforms, software tools or internet options. A managed services provider helps you pick the one that fits how your team actually works.
It means support your team can actually use. When someone can’t find a voicemail or figure out how to forward a call, they should be able to ask a person and get an answer. Good support is simple and fast.
It means fewer surprises. Systems get checked and updated before they fail, not after. That’s the difference between a planned fix on a Tuesday afternoon and a scramble on a busy Monday morning.
What to ask before you sign: Who answers when we call? How fast? What’s included in the monthly price, and what costs extra? Get clear answers, in writing, before you commit.
Tech support should be simple. If it isn’t, that’s worth a conversation.
Danielle Lemons is Vice President of Operations at DirecTech Connect, a Nashville provider of business phone systems, managed IT services, websites and digital marketing. More about Danielle.
