E-Business
How Managed IT Services Can Help Transform Your Business
Managed IT services are IT infrastructure monitoring, maintenance, repair, and reporting operations carried out by a service provider on behalf of the business that owns the infrastructure.
In simple terms, it’s what happens when a business outsources the management of its IT to another firm that exists to take on such work, instead of leaving this task with in-house IT teams.
There’s an important point to note though. Occasional repair work done by a technician you’ve hired for a one-off job isn’t managed service, in the real sense that it’s understood. Managed services, unlike occasional repair and maintenance, are carried out based on a Service Level Agreement (SLA). And you typically pay for the service monthly.
When you have a working agreement with a Managed Service Provider (MSP), they will take care of a range of IT issues that you ask them to provide.
Whether you’re a small business or large corporation, you should consider using managed IT services.
Here’s why.
Managed Services or One-off Repairs?
As a business, you want your IT systems in top shape every hour, all day, throughout the work year. Your productivity depends on this, as does your bottom line (ultimately). Even if your workers are skilled and primed to do their jobs, they will be unable to produce the best quality output unless they have the tech tools in good condition.
For a long while, most companies in Nigeria have relied on technicians to fix these issues when they arise. They contact someone to sort out their problematic wiring, or set up a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network).
But this approach is becoming less convenient. That’s because our businesses have grown so dependent on these technologies that our operations shut down if we have to wait for technicians to carry out hours-long fixes. When it takes too long to deal with IT problems, we lose hours or even days of productivity.
This is where managed services come in.
With managed IT services, you won’t have to hurry someone over to troubleshoot issues or burn precious hours while trying to figure out tech problems. Your IT infrastructure will be taken care of by experts, who ensure that issues are dealt with before they can threaten business continuity.
Examples of Managed IT Services
Here are some things that an MSP can do for your business.
- Managed WLAN
You don’t have to wait until there’s a problem with your business’s wireless connectivity before getting a technician to have a look at it. Why not let a team of experts manage the setup on your behalf so that they tackle any weaknesses that exist before it disrupts your activities?
- Enterprise Mobility
Companies often need their staff to deal with tasks while they are away from their offices. A managed services provider could help them set up channels that let employees to securely access their company’s digital platforms from wherever they are. MSPs also ensure that such systems are always functioning optimally, and will fix any issues that may arise with them.
- Managed Security
When an MSP provides managed security, they take on the monitoring and management of a client organization’s cybersecurity. They can help set up and maintain systems like virus blocking, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), and firewalls.
- Professional Services
Managed Services Providers also plan, design, implement and manage networks and general enterprise technology systems. This includes network audits and forensics, voice and data network visualization, installation and configuration, live network monitoring and 24-hour emergency maintenance, among others.
- Managed Cloud, Storage, and Backup
Instead of having their cloud-infrastructure on-site, most businesses now prefer to let cloud service firms provide and take care of those facilities on their behalf.
What You Stand to Gain with Managed Services
- Frees Up Time and Resources
MSPs take a significant amount of load off businesses. They no longer have to struggle with very technical repair and monitoring tasks. This frees up time and resources that they can channel to the core aspects of their operations.
- Increases Productivity
Given more time and resources, your team will be able to achieve more. The improved IT services you get from your MSP will also allow your staff to do better at their jobs—they don’t have to struggle with outages that disrupt their work, for instance.
- Smaller Budget
Depending on what your IT needs are, you may not even need an IT team if you’re using a managed service provider. The MSP could completely take on that role. This takes out the cost of training and remunerating an in-house IT team.
- Scalability
If your business grows, or if the demand for your services increases, you may need to ramp up your IT resources to meet up with the market’s requests. Managed services are designed to adjust quickly to this. You can scale up or scale down the service you are getting with relative ease. You don’t have to hire and train staff, change your technologies and incur the costs that accompany these things.
- Support
If there’s anything about your IT that you’re not sure about, you can call your MSP and ask them to make it clearer to you. The more customer-centric service providers will respond promptly to your requests and keep you updated on things as often as is possible.
Does Your Organization Need Managed Services?
Your business or agency needs to consider managed IT services if it meets one or more of these criteria:
- Your in-house IT team is overworked or struggling to keep up with the many tasks on their plate
- The organization has a growing IT infrastructure that requires constant monitoring
- IT maintenance costs are expanding rapidly and eating into your budget
- You are dissatisfied with the current level of support you’re getting for your IT infrastructure
A Managed IT Services Provider You Can Trust
If you would like to find out more about managed services, you can speak with the IT consultants at Layer3. They could help you determine what kind of services your business needs, and how they should be deployed.
For over 14 years, Layer3 has served clients in both the private and public sectors of Nigeria, providing them with the technologies that meet their peculiar needs. You could benefit from their extensive expertise in cybersecurity, managed WLAN, mobile device management, and network maintenance.
Get started with managed services to help your business up the growth curve. Contact us now to begin this journey.
Keywords – internet consulting , onsite support , remote support , network consulting , data recovery , backup services , mobile device management , cybersecurity , network maintenance , managed cloud service , virus blocking, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), firewalls, Managed Service Provider (MSP), IT infrastructure monitoring, maintenance, repair
It is holiday season in many parts of the world. These days though, going on holiday does not always mean turning your back on office life – hybrid work cuts both ways.
Today’s widespread connectivity—available at airports, train stations, restaurants, hotels, and most indoor public spaces—makes staying connected easier than ever, with free Wi-Fi in many locations and reliable 4G or 5G coverage elsewhere, helping to facilitate a seamless blend of work and leisure even while on holiday.
This increase in connectivity among travellers has not gone unnoticed by cyber criminals. Kaspersky experts analysed nearly 25,000 free Wi-Fi spots in Paris ahead of the Summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. The analysis revealed that almost 25% of these networks had weak or no encryption, making users vulnerable to personal and banking data theft.
Travellers often have their guard down. The unfamiliar surroundings of a new location or a different language can throw up a useful smokescreen for a cyberattack, meaning additional care needs to be taken when logging on. Fortunately, a few smart tools and habits can help you stay protected while enjoying the flexibility of remote work.
Use a VPN for secure connections
A VPN is one of the most effective ways to safeguard users’ online activity, especially when working from unfamiliar locations. By encrypting Internet traffic, a VPN ensures that hackers can’t intercept sensitive data like login credentials or financial details. This is particularly important when accessing work emails or company files on public Wi-Fi, where cybercriminals often lurk.
Switch to an eSIM for reliable, secure mobile data
Another useful digital tool that provides a seamless way to stay connected using local mobile networks with no physical SIM card required is the eSIM. This is a game-changer for international travellers who want to avoid sky-high roaming charges or the hassle of hunting down temporary SIM cards in foreign countries.
With an eSIM, a user can download a local data plan before you even arrive at your destination, ensuring instant connectivity the moment you land. This eliminates the need to rely on unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots, significantly reducing your exposure to cyber threats.
Plus, many eSIM providers allow you to manage multiple profiles on a single device, making it easy to switch between work and personal data plans without juggling multiple phones.
Services like Kaspersky eSIM Store enables users to purchase and activate data plans in advance, track usage and top up as needed, all from a single app.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
When travelling, people often leave devices unattended. To protect against unwanted people logging in, travellers should ensure two-factor authentication (2FA) is enabled on all critical accounts and that passwords are used on all devices.
Final tips for a secure workation
Even with a VPN, eSIM and 2FA in place, your devices still need strong defenses against malware, phishing scams and ransomware. Cybercriminals often target remote workers who may let their guard down while travelling, making real-time protection essential.
Modern antivirus software does more than just scan for viruses, it actively blocks malicious downloads, warns you about phishing attempts and even secures your passwords and financial data.
For the most robust security, consider a solution like Kaspersky Premium, which combines antivirus protection, a VPN and password management into a single, easy-to-use package.
By combining a VPN, eSIM and strong antivirus, you can work from anywhere with confidence, whether you’re sending emails from a poolside or joining a video call from a festival tent.
E-Business
Zequence Digital Boss Calls for Strong IP Laws Enforcement, to Protect Nigeria’s Software Sector
Mr Adeoye Oludamilola, managing director, Zequence Digital, a digital agency, has said strong enforcement of Intellectual Property (IP) laws , protection of Nigeria’s software industry against piracy will encourage innovation and investment.
Adeoye told reporters lately in Lagos that software piracy and the unauthorised use of proprietary technology are widespread in the country.
According to report Intellectual Property (IP) laws in software refers to the legal rights that protect the creations of the mind used in software development.
These rights, which include copyrights, patents, trade secrets, and trademarks, grant developers exclusive control over their software and related assets, preventing unauthorised use or reproduction.
Adeoye said that many startups do not protect their innovations, due to a lack of knowledge and the cumbersome legal processes involved.
“IP registration and litigation are expensive and time-consuming, which further discourages developers from protecting their work,” Adeoye said.
He added that the lack of awareness among developers about their IP rights contributed to the problem.
To address these challenges, Adeoye stressed the need for the formation of an IP Protection Consortium, comprising tech firms, legal experts, and regulators, to advocate for stronger IP enforcement.
He also suggested collaborating with legal tech startups to create simplified platforms for fast-tracked IP registration.
The managing director further called for joint initiatives between legal bodies and tech communities to launch IP rights education campaigns.
This, he said, would equip developers with the knowledge they needed to protect their innovations and grow their businesses.
Adeoye emphasised the need for the government and stakeholders to create an ecosystem for development and inclusivity by proactively engaging with regulators.
According to him, this will help ensure that policies are created with the input of concerned agencies and industry experts.
PalmPay, a leading fintech platform and full-stack digital neobank for emerging markets, has partnered with Nigeria’s biggest Health Insurance Company, AXA Mansard Health a member of the globally trusted AXA Group, to provide millions of Nigerians with affordable, accessible digital health insurance.
This strategic partnership enables PalmPay users to seamlessly access a range of health insurance packages from AXA Mansard directly within the PalmPay app. With plans starting as low as N500 per month, users can now choose from flexible insurance options tailored to fit their everyday needs.
The plans are designed to meet a wide range of needs; for example, the AXA Digital Health plan offers access to telemedicine consultations with doctors, N5,000 worth of medications, and up to N40,000 in surgical coverage. Users can also opt for the AXA Mansard MicroHealth plan at N1,000 per month, which provides unlimited diagnostic tests and funeral benefits. Additionally, the AXA Mansard Accident plan, available for N500 monthly, offers comprehensive death cover for both accidental and non-accidental cases.
Speaking on the partnership, Habib Kowontan, Head of Wealth Product at PalmPay, said: “Insurance is a key pillar of financial security, yet millions of Nigerians remain underserved. Our partnership with AXA Mansard Health breaks down long-standing barriers by placing reliable and affordable insurance solutions right at our users’ fingertips.”
In her remarks, Jumoke Odunlami, Chief Distribution Officer, AXA Mansard Insurance said that the partnership with Palmpay presents the AXA with another opportunity to improve health and productivity of Nigerians. “Through partnerships like this, we are covering over 1.8 million Nigerians and ensuring that healthcare is accessible, available and affordable.
“So we are excited about joining forces with a brand like Palmpay to compliment the range of financial possibilities they offer their customers with health plans. It fits well with our mission and our purpose of acting for human progress by protecting what matters, and we are looking forward to doing even more with Palmpay”, she explained.
This partnership reflects PalmPay’s broader mission to create a more inclusive digital financial ecosystem, one that empowers users to not only manage their money efficiently, but also secure their future.
This partnership reflects PalmPay’s broader mission to create a more inclusive digital financial ecosystem, one that empowers users to not only manage their money efficiently, but also secure their future.
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