What Is a Managed IT Department? (And Why It Beats Traditional MSP Models)
Most small businesses know what a managed service provider is. They’re the team you call when something breaks – your outsourced IT support that keeps things running and software updated. But MSPs can sometimes feel distant. Maybe they’re a large company juggling clients of all sizes, or a smaller MSP that doesn’t quite meet all your business’s needs.
A managed IT department (MID) is built differently. While it’s technically an outsourced MSP, it functions like your own internal IT team, but with the scale, tools, and expertise of a larger provider. It’s the next evolution of IT support. And in this blog, we’ll explain why.
How a Managed IT Department Works
More than just tech support, managed IT departments are actively invested in helping your business grow, scale, and succeed. Unlike a typical consultant or traditional MSP, MIDs provide an entire IT infrastructure that backs up your business decisions. Spending too much money on unused apps? An MID will spot it. Need to automate a process to speed up operations? They can do that, easy. Planning to scale across multiple offices or remote positions? An MID has you covered.
Partnering with a managed IT department means gaining an extension of your business. And once you get that extension, your growth potential skyrockets.
Why a Managed IT Department Beats a Traditional MSP
Support that Feels Local
Even though your MID is outsourced, that doesn’t mean they’re distant. In fact, an MID can be just as personal, attentive, and responsible (sometimes even more so) than an in-house IT team, but without the overhead of hiring and training all that staff.
At The 20, this happens through our Pod System. Each client gets assigned a dedicated team of technicians who learn your business inside and out. When you call for IT support, you’re connected with familiar technicians who already understand your environment, workflows, and past tickets.
This kind of consistency gives your business something most MSPs can’t provide: support that feels local and invested.
Take it from Ramon, the VP of TZXAT based out of Houston, Texas:
“Our company does not have a traditional IT department, but with The 20, it feels like we do.”
—Ramon Rodriguez, TZXAT
True 24/7/365 Support
Many MSPs advertise round-the-clock support. But it’s only after you’ve signed a contract that you realize that support comes with a big asterisk. Call at 2 a.m., and you might reach an outsourced call center with no knowledge of your systems – or worse, no one at all. A managed IT department provides genuine 24/7/365 support, with technicians who know your environment and can resolve issues quickly (even on holidays).
National Presence
Here’s where MIDs have their cake and eat it, too. A good MID provides teams of dedicated technicians that act no differently than a down-the-hall IT team. At the same time, a strong MID – like The 20 MSP – operates across the country. For instance, The 20 MSP has offices in 24 states.
And that mix of personal touch and widespread reach is a massive advantage. Gaining access to a large support network means that no matter where you are in the country, your MID can reach you. And if one of your dedicated Pod technicians needs extra support, another expert anywhere in the network can step in – fully informed and backed by your Pod-based team.
It truly is the best of both worlds.
Technical Expertise
The problem with traditional MSPs is that outsourced services can lead to unreliable or conflicting advice. One day, you might be told you need one form of security, only to hear something completely different the next.
With a focused managed IT department, your IT department is smaller but more insightful. That’s because your assigned technicians gain access to a nationwide support network, which funnels information through technicians who already have a deep understanding of your systems. That means getting exactly what you need – nothing more and nothing less.
Better Security and Compliance
According to the Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA), only about one-third of IT service providers currently treat cybersecurity as a core business focus. Many MSPs simply stack on security services as needed, reacting to ticket requests instead of building a true security foundation.
This is directly at odds with the 78% of small businesses who worry that a cyberattack could shut their doors for good – something a managed IT department understands at a deeper level.
Because an MID is embedded in your systems like an internal IT team, security isn’t an add-on. Your environment gets monitored around the clock, your policies stay up to date, and vulnerabilities are addressed before they become issues.
This approach strengthens compliance, too. Managed It departments maintain a detailed paper trail and documentation that makes it far easier for companies to stay in compliance. Whether you need to meet HIPAA, PCI, or NIST, a managed IT department can help you navigate the complex world of regulatory compliance with confidence.
Predictable Pricing
An in-house IT employee can cost upwards of $100k a year. A standard MSP may seem cheaper, but add in “out-of-scope” labor and surprise fees, and the numbers add up fast.
A managed IT department, at around $75k per year, provides all the support you need for one transparent monthly fee. Labor is included, fees are clear, and there are no hidden costs. You’ll know exactly what you’re paying for so you can budget properly and plan for future business decisions with confidence and accuracy.
Why The 20 MSP?
The 20 MSP embodies everything we’ve discussed. Our Pod System, national reach, technical and security expertise, and transparent pricing create an IT department that acts as an extension of your business, not just someone who shows up when things break.
But don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what April Dodd from G&L Mechanical has to say:
“I have used The 20 MSP for 10 years, and when I refer them to other businesses, they are blown away.”
We’re equally impressed by our partners, too. We take your technology seriously because your business depends on it. You’re not just a client, and we’re not just a service. We’re your dedicated managed IT department, and we’d love to get to know you.
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About The 20 MSP
As a leading provider of managed IT services, The 20 MSP serves thousands of businesses nationwide, including single and multi-location organizations, delivering white-glove service, secure and streamlined IT infrastructure, and 24/7/365 support. We believe in building lasting relationships with clients founded on trust, communication, and the delivery of high-value services for a fair and predictable price. Our clients’ success is our success, and we are committed to helping each and every organization we serve leverage technology to secure a competitive advantage and achieve new growth.
