Managed IT services versus cloud services
Cloud services provide technology delivered over the internet. Managed IT services provide people and processes to look after agreed technology. Your business may need both.
Microsoft 365, hosted applications and cloud infrastructure are examples of cloud services. An MSP may administer those platforms, support users and coordinate incidents. Paying for the platform does not automatically buy that extra management.
Separate the responsibilities
| Question | Cloud supplier may cover | MSP may cover if contracted |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs the platform? | Underlying hosted service | Supplier coordination |
| Who manages user access? | Platform capabilities | Account and permissions administration |
| Who helps staff? | Product support within its terms | Business helpdesk |
| Who restores your data? | Features defined by the product | Agreed backup and recovery process |
Why this matters
A cloud application can be working normally while your staff cannot sign in because of an account or device problem. Conversely, an MSP cannot repair the cloud vendor's infrastructure directly, but it can investigate and communicate the outage.
Does moving to the cloud remove the need for IT support
No. Devices, identities, configuration and integration still need attention. Review each platform's retention and recovery features against your requirements rather than assuming “cloud” means everything is backed up.
Next step: create a responsibility map for each cloud service, including security, access and data recovery.
Want to review your systems and recovery needs? Talk to Tech Savvy Solutions.