- anaged Software Services to Accelerate Development
- benefits of managed software services
- best practices for managed software services
- Best Practices that Top Managed Services Providers Do
- managed services best practices
- managed software development services
- Managed Software Services
- Needs Software Managed Services
- Top Managed Service Provider (MSP) best practices
- Why Choose Managed IT Services?
Technological advances in the software development services industry are dynamic and constantly evolving. To stay relevant and competitive, popular software development companies must deliver cutting-edge features and functionalities at an ever-accelerating pace. However, internal limitations-specialized expertise, constraints on internal resources, or simply being consumed by the day-to-day management of core operations, can slow down the companies’ capabilities to get the most from their IT infrastructure. Therefore, many organizations are going the managed software services or managed IT services route, especially how complex and time-consuming the day-to-day management of systems of networks or software can be.
Managed software services providers offer a comprehensive set of services that can empower businesses to significantly enhance engineering operational efficiency and accelerate their software development process. 76% of businesses report that managed IT services enable them to focus more on core business goals and innovation (Source: Cisco 2021). But how does that help the businesses? How do you ensure you effectively relegate managed software services charges with these vendors? If you’re also wondering about these questions, then this blog is for you. This blog will discuss the benefits of managed software services over plain old software development outsourcing. Additionally, we’ll share the best tips to effectively and quickly build world-class software and products with managed software services.
Managed Software Services for High-velocity Software Development
What are Managed Software Services (MSS)?
Managed Software Services (MSS) refer to the outsourcing of specific tasks or the entire SLDC to a competent third-party provider. From software design, development, internal apps, microservices, maintenance, system integration, and deployment, to testing, and quality assurance, they cover all aspects of development.
Key Managed Software Services benefits are:
- Offload certain tasks or your entire development lifecycle to experts, accelerating delivery and lowering app development costs.
- Benefit from security specialists who implement robust measures to safeguard your software and data.
- Access resources that seamlessly adapt to your evolving needs, keeping software development in sync with business growth.
- Tap into a pool of skilled professionals who bridge knowledge gaps and ensure successful project completion.
Managed Software Services to Accelerate Development: Best Practices
The most common benefits SMBs realized after engaging MSP services are greater IT stability and dependability (62%), improved data protection and security (61%), and better operational efficiency (58%) (Source: Kaseya 2023 Global MSP and RMM Report). Businesses need to constantly innovate and adapt to stay ahead, and slow development cycles can hinder this progress. Managed Software Services (MSS) offers a lot of advantages that help organizations significantly boost their software development process. So, follow these 6 best practices to fully leverage managed IT services and build software faster and more efficiently.
1. Clearly Defined Requirements and Scope
Have a definite understanding of what needs to be built. Well-defined requirements ensure that everyone involved is on the same page and help to avoid costly rework and delays later in the process. MSS providers can assist with requirements gathering through workshops, user interviews, and documentation analysis. They can also help to break down complex features into manageable chunks, making the development process more efficient.
2. Choosing the Right MSS Partner
This is a crucial step when you’ve got a dependable managed services provider, your business can focus on other important business functions. Additionally, the best managed IT services companies ensure that the operations, functionality, and security of your IT infrastructure are in good hands. So consider the following factors to choose the right managed software services partner:
- Expertise: Does the provider have experience in your specific industry and tech stack?
- Experience: What is their track record of delivering projects on time and within budget?
- Communication Style: Do their communication practices align with your needs and preferences?
- Scalability: Can they scale their resources to meet your fluctuating project demands?
3. Leveraging Automation and DevOps Practices
These both are key to accelerating software development as automation can streamline repetitive tasks such as testing, deployment, and configuration management. While, DevOps principles encourage collaboration between development and operations teams, leading to faster release cycles. A managed IT services provider with expertise in automation tools such as Ansible, ConnectWise, Jenkins, Microsoft ITSM tools, ElectroNeek, as well as tools that facilitate proactive maintenance automation and DevOps methodologies, can help you implement these practices effectively.
4. Continuous Integration and Delivery (CI/CD)
CI/CD follows a development approach that involves automating the building, testing, and deployment of code changes. This allows for faster feedback loops and more frequent releases. MSS providers can help you establish a robust CI/CD pipeline that automates these processes, enabling you to deliver features and updates more quickly.
5. Performance Monitoring and Optimization
One must know how your software application is performing, this not only helps you implement changes or updates when required. Moreover, evaluation and monitoring lets you identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement. Performance issues can significantly slow down development. MSS providers can help you implement performance monitoring tools and identify areas where your application can be optimized for faster performance and better results.
6. Proactive Issue Management and Resolution
Proactive identification and resolution of issues can prevent delays and keep your project on track. The best managed IT services provider with a proactive approach will constantly monitor your development process for potential issues and take steps to address them before they cause problems. This can involve implementing code reviews, static code analysis tools, and unit testing to catch bugs early in the development cycle.
Find out more about how Managed IT Services can build software faster?
Top 5 Signs Your Business Needs Managed Software Development Services
Managed Software Services providers come in, offering a comprehensive solution to streamline your operations. But how do you know if your business can benefit from Managed Software Services?
Here are 5 key signs that point toward the need for a reliable IT service partner:
- Strained IT Resources: Is your in-house IT team constantly overwhelmed with day-to-day tasks like software maintenance, troubleshooting, and security updates? This can leave them with little time to focus on strategic initiatives and software development. Managed software service providers offer a pool of skilled development and testing professionals who can handle these tasks efficiently, freeing up your internal team to focus on core business activities.
- Security Concerns: Cybersecurity threats are a constant and growing concern for businesses. Do you have the expertise and resources to implement and maintain robust security measures for your software and IT infrastructure? Managed software & IT services providers specialize in security and can provide comprehensive solutions that keep your data and systems safe from evolving threats.
- Limited Scalability: As your business grows, your business software needs will evolve. Does your current IT infrastructure have the flexibility to scale and adapt to these changing demands? You need scalable solutions that grow alongside your business, thus ensuring you have the resources you need to support your software development efforts.
- Outdated Technology: Is your business relying on outdated software or technologies? This can hinder productivity, security, and innovation. They can help you identify areas for modernization and implement the latest technologies to keep your software development process efficient and effective.
- Lack of Expertise: Does your team lack the specialized skills and experience needed to develop and maintain complex software applications? Managed software service providers offer a team of experts with diverse skill sets who can bridge this knowledge gap and ensure your software development projects are completed successfully.
Also Read: Innersource to Accelerate Innovations
Wrapping It Up
To thrive in the unforgiving software development landscape, you need speed, efficiency, and a constant focus on innovation. Managed software development services providers offer a powerful solution, empowering you to overcome internal limitations and achieve high-speed development. Keep outdated technology or resource constraints from holding your business back. However, finding the right talent can be a tough and challenging task, so you must consider all the points we discussed in the blog for an informed decision.
Additionally, we recommend you seek a comprehensive managed services provider that helps you in your digital transformation journey. Moreover, these professionals are experts in offering fully managed software services including custom software development, nearshore outsourcing, QA testing, or maintenance & support to help you establish yourself and ensure long-term success!
Frequently Asked Questions
IT Managed Services is a type of outsourcing where an external service provider manages an organization’s IT infrastructure and operations. This includes tasks like network management, cybersecurity, data backup, and IT support.
Best practices ensure that managed services align with business objectives, deliver optimal performance, and mitigate risks. They help organizations make informed decisions and achieve maximum ROI from their IT investments.
Adhering to managed services best practices offers several benefits, including improved system reliability, enhanced security, cost savings, and better alignment with business objectives. These practices help ensure that IT services are delivered efficiently and effectively, providing value to both the service provider and the client.
When choosing a managed software development services provider, businesses should look for a partner with a proven track record, relevant industry experience, a skilled team of developers, and a strong commitment to communication and transparency. It’s also important to ensure that the provider aligns with the company’s goals and values.
Businesses need managed IT services to ensure their technology infrastructure operates efficiently and securely while allowing them to focus on core business activities. Managed IT services provide several critical benefits, including:
- Cost Efficiency: By outsourcing IT management, businesses can reduce the need for in-house IT staff and expensive infrastructure investments, leading to significant cost savings.
- Expertise and Support: Managed IT service providers offer access to a team of skilled professionals who can handle complex IT challenges, provide 24/7 support, and keep systems running smoothly.
- Proactive Maintenance: Managed IT services include proactive monitoring and maintenance, which helps prevent issues before they disrupt operations, reducing downtime and ensuring business continuity.
- Scalability: As a business grows, managed IT services can easily scale to meet increasing demands, whether it’s adding new users, expanding storage, or upgrading systems.
- Enhanced Security: Managed IT service providers implement the latest security measures to protect against cyber threats, ensuring that sensitive data remains secure and compliance requirements are met.
