Managed IT Services for Education: Taking Educational Technology to the Next Level

The Evolution of Managed IT Services for Education

At Weaver Technologies, we understand that as educational institutions grow, their internal technology resources may not always keep pace. This is where Managed IT services for Education can play a crucial role in providing IT support for schools. The good news is that there are several options available that are more cost-effective and provide additional strategic capabilities to help educational organizations make wise investment choices.

The Benefits of Outsourcing Educational Technology Services

Schools typically use the same IT resources for years, but eventually require more depth of services as technology becomes more pervasive and demand increases. However, they do not necessarily need or cannot afford full-time technology resources for functions such as financial management and enrollment systems, desktop management, security, IT operations, or system and network administration. This is where Managed IT services for Education comes into play. Outsourcing usually makes financial and strategic sense for educational organizations that want to take advantage of additional skill sets, knowledge, and staffing depth to cover any shortages.

Next-Generation Managed IT Services for Education

Managed Service Providers (MSP) platforms have evolved significantly over the years, and next-generation providers like Weaver Technologies can offer additional strategic capabilities to help organizations make wise investment choices that result in higher value. A decade ago, MSP toolsets had not evolved, and providers needed to be very creative and hands-on when managing an environment. However, today, major packages exist that providers can subscribe to and implement within your organization that can scale up or down with your technology needs through a common set of services.

A traditional provider typically offers a solution with a support desk that can escalate issues through the skillset with a minimal onsite component. A field aspect is typically included, providing onsite support if an issue requiring a physical interface occurs. Finally, a network operations center is used to monitor and evaluate your systems and take action if any failures or errors appear. This is where a traditional MSP’s support stops.

However, Managed IT services for Education provided by Weaver Technologies go a few steps further with strategic IT guidance and industry knowledge, separating ourselves from the majority of providers that offer the same options. We offer a more comprehensive and strategic technology solution, implementing a complete IT department with specific systems and processes that align with and support your institution’s goals. The main difference between first-generation and next-generation MSPs is the inclusion of a complete team to keep your organization advancing with technology.

Evaluating MSPs: Considerations Beyond Basic Services

Partnering with an MSP is a commitment for both parties, and basic services delivery does not ensure you will be happy with your provider. When evaluating the depth of the provider’s capabilities, it’s important to also consider the intangibles. At Weaver Technologies, we work with educational institutions to build an overall strategy and make sure technology applications align with that vision. It’s not just about supporting your applications and making sure they are working, but more about supporting the entire organization and making sure your applications and processes are the best fit for your operations.

When choosing an MSP, it’s important to understand the pricing model and the details of the service package. At Weaver Technologies, we are transparent about our pricing and provide clear details about after-hours support, data protection, service level, standards, and operating procedures. The technology needs of educational institutions are becoming more complex on a daily basis, and a traditional one-size-fits-all managed services solution may no longer be the best fit.

Moving Forward: Leveraging Technology for Sustained Educational Success

At Weaver Technologies, we provide a more comprehensive, next-generation Managed IT services for education that bridges the gap between IT support for schools and strategy to help your institution leverage technology for sustained success. Maintaining your environment is one thing, but moving it forward is another, and we are committed to helping your institution stay ahead of the curve.