Working with a managed IT service provider (MSP) is very different from having IT personnel on staff. They may not be in the office, but the MSP is very knowledgeable and can offer support 24 hours a day—not just from 9 to 5. Sometimes, you may feel like you are speaking a different language. We have broken down the top 10 terms you should be comfortable with to help make communication with your MSP a little easier: 

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

Also called bring your own technology (BYOT), this refers to allowing employees to use their personally owned devices rather than requiring them to use officially provided technology.

Cloud Services

Cloud services deliver computing services, including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence over the internet to offer faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale.

Data Backup

Copying or archiving files and folders allows you to restore them in case of data loss.

Data Recovery

Data recovery entails salvaging or securing data from failed or compromised hardware systems.

Malware

This is a collective name for a number of malicious software variants, including viruses, ransomware, and spyware, consisting of code developed by cyberattackers and designed to cause extensive damage to data and systems or to gain unauthorized access to a network.

Network Engineer

This person is responsible for solving computer network problems. Also known as a computer network architect, they usually have skills in design, planning, implementation, and monitoring of computer networks that support wireless network services, video, data, and voice.

Network Infrastructure

Network infrastructure includes the hardware and software resources that enable connectivity, communication, operations, and management of an enterprise network. It provides the communication path and services between users, processes, applications, services, and external networks/the internet.

PBX

PBX stands for private branch exchange, a private telephone network used within a company or organization.

Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS)

Cloud-based communications systems can integrate features including internet voice and video calling, call forwarding, unified voicemail/email messaging, call recording, and audio-conferencing services.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

This technology allows you to make voice calls using a broadband internet connection instead of a regular phone line. It includes programs like Skype, Zoom, and GoToMeeting.

If you're still wondering whether you need managed IT for your business or which specific services you should use, click below to view our infographic!