Managed Application Services provide organizations with the expertise and support needed to maintain and optimize their software systems. According to research, implementing Managed Services can cut IT expenses by 25% to 45% and increase operational efficiency by up to 65%.Â
This post explores the ins and outs of MAS and helps you understand how they can help improve your business operations.
What Are Managed Application Services?
Managed Application Services (MAS) are specialized offerings in which an external provider manages and maintains business applications for you. They take on tasks ranging from software installations to security patches and performance monitoring. Using MAS means entrusting a significant segment of your IT operations to experienced professionals, ensuring your applications run smoothly and securely.Â
How Do Managed Application Services Work?
Managed Application Services are an extension of your business’s IT team, bringing expertise and advanced tools. These services operate on a comprehensive framework that includes constant monitoring, proactive maintenance, and strategic enhancements.
Here's what you can expect when you partner with a Managed Application Service provider:
- Assessment: The provider evaluates your current application landscape to identify your business needs and potential improvements.
- Implementation: They integrate their service into your system, aligning with your organizational processes and workflows.
- Management: The provider takes over routine tasks such as updates, security checks, and performance tuning to ensure optimal application function.
- Support: You have access to a pool of experts who provide round-the-clock support and can handle any issues immediately as they arise.
- Optimization: The provider continuously suggests and implements enhancements to keep applications up to industry standards and your business objectives.
Using sophisticated tools and analytics, MAS keep your applications running and help them evolve with your business.
Types of Managed Application Services
Let's explore different types of Managed Application Services designed to handle specific aspects of application management.
Operational Services
Operational Services within Managed Application Services ensure your applications are always up and running efficiently. These include 24/7 monitoring to catch and resolve issues before they escalate, fine-tuning your applications for optimal speed and reliability, and allocating and managing the technical resources required to keep them operational. The aim is to give your team more time to focus on innovative projects.
Application Service Desk
The Application Service Desk provides robust frontline support for all application-related queries and issues. Think of it as a dedicated helpline where you receive immediate assistance with user queries or concerns, technical support from application specialists, and comprehensive incident management. This service is designed to bring peace of mind to your users and customers, knowing that expert help is just a phone call or email away.
Application Hosting
Application Hosting is where your provider hosts and manages the server infrastructure for your applications. This service ensures server availability with high uptime and robust performance, flexibility to scale your infrastructure up or down depending on your business requirements, and the implementation of data protection strategies to safeguard against data loss.Â
Application Security and Disaster Recovery
Application Security and Disaster Recovery protect your applications with the latest cybersecurity measures to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches. They thoroughly inspect your application security architecture to identify and remedy vulnerabilities.Â
They also prepare a strategic plan to swiftly recover your applications in the event of a disaster. These services minimize risk and ensure your applications can quickly bounce back, keeping your business operational regardless of the challenges.
Application Infrastructure
Application Infrastructure management is about creating and maintaining the perfect environment for your applications to thrive. One key component is Hardware Management, which involves maintaining and optimizing the physical components that support your applications. Next, there's Cloud Services Integration, aimed at seamlessly incorporating cloud computing solutions to enhance scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. There is also Network Setup, where the focus is on designing and overseeing a robust network infrastructure to facilitate seamless communication and data exchange among your applications.
A well-managed application infrastructure reduces the likelihood of performance bottlenecks, optimizes costs, and provides a seamless end-user experience.
Benefits of Managed Application Services
Managed Application Services offer several advantages for businesses. Let’s explore the most important ones.Â
Fill Your Skill Gaps
Managed services provide access to experts in various applications and technologies, so you no longer need to worry about the hiring challenges associated with in-demand IT professionals. They also enable you to adapt to new technologies without investing in additional staff training.Â
Filling your skill gaps with MAS helps you unlock the potential for innovation while maintaining high standards of operation and service.
Maintain a Stable IT Environment
Managed Application Services provide regular software updates and patches to ensure your applications are current and secure. They also monitor performance to keep applications running optimally. With a stable IT environment, you'll achieve uninterrupted workflow, which is crucial for business success.
Prevent Business Interruptions
Managed Application Services enable proactive problem resolution, tackling potential issues before they impact the business. They also offer disaster recovery strategies that minimize downtime in the face of disruptions.
Enhance Cost-effectiveness
Managed Application Services help reduce overhead costs associated with hiring, training, and maintaining an in-house IT team. They also help optimize spending on application maintenance and upgrades through economies of scale and expertise.
Prioritize Strategic Activities
Prioritizing Strategic Activities becomes effortless when MAS alleviate the burden of day-to-day IT tasks. This shift allows your business to focus on core objectives, strategic planning, and innovation without being sidetracked by operational IT issues. It also enables you to direct more resources and human capital toward activities that drive competitive advantage and business growth.  Â
Managed Application Services ensure compatibility checks between new applications and your current systems. They also enable a seamless integration process with minimal disruption to ongoing operations.
How to Choose Your Managed Application Service Provider?
Choosing the right Managed Application Service Provider ensures you receive tailored services aligned with your business needs. Here are some steps to guide your selection:
- Assess Their Expertise: Look for a provider with a proven track record in your industry and with the applications you use.
- Check for Customization: Your business is unique, and your MAS provider should offer customization to fit your specific requirements.
- Evaluate Their Support: Consider the level of support offered and whether it’s adequate for your operations, including 24/7 availability if required.
- Consider Security Measures: Ensure the provider employs robust security protocols to safeguard your applications and data.
- Verify Their Disaster Recovery Capabilities: Reliable disaster recovery is non-negotiable for safeguarding against data loss and downtime.
- Understand the SLA Terms: Service Level Agreements (SLAs) define the level of service you expect; be clear on these terms before committing.
- Seek Reviews and References: Client testimonials and case studies provide insights into real-world performance and customer satisfaction.
Take Your Business Forward with the Managed Application Services by Kohezion
Kohezion's Managed Application Services offer access to industry-leading expertise catered to grow and protect your enterprise. We also provide tailored solutions designed from consultation to implementation to fit your unique business needs. Our commitment is to ensure that your applications support and drive your business growth.
Let's harness the power of top-tier Managed Application Services and catapult your business forward.Â
Conclusion
Managed Application Services (MAS) guide businesses toward stability, efficiency, and innovation. These services help maintain your applications, empowering your business to focus on growth, strategy, and resilience. Whether filling skill gaps, enhancing cost-effectiveness, or ensuring uninterrupted operations, MAS by providers like Kohezion is designed to give you that cutting-edge edge.
Contact us today and take this opportunity to transform your IT operations and set a new standard of excellence within your industry.Â
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Frequently Asked Questions
Managed Application Services offer external expert support. This means less stress on your internal team and access to specialized skills without the need for extensive hiring or training. MAS providers often employ the latest technologies and practices, ensuring your applications are always at the forefront of innovation.
Managed Application Services can smoothly integrate with your existing IT infrastructure and applications, typically without necessitating a complete overhaul. They are designed to improve and work alongside your current systems, offering scalability and flexibility to meet your business’s unique demands.
Managed Application Services are versatile, benefiting different industries and businesses, especially those heavily relying on IT infrastructure for day-to-day operations. Sectors like healthcare, finance, education, and e-commerce often see significant advantages due to their need for round-the-clock application availability and strict security requirements.
Managed Application Services typically offer high levels of customization and flexibility to cater to businesses with unique requirements or niche applications. Providers work closely with clients to understand their needs and adjust services accordingly, from custom code development to personalized support structures.
