Managed IT services: what is it and what does it cost?

Part of a topic cluster: This article focuses on the *cost model* of managed IT services. For the full picture on outsourcing IT — when it does and doesn't fit, how to pick an MSP, transition path — read our complete IT outsourcing guide for SMBs.

More and more small and medium-sized businesses are choosing managed IT services. Instead of managing IT internally or calling a break-fix technician when something goes wrong, they hand over the complete management, monitoring and support of their IT environment to a specialised partner.

But what exactly are managed IT services? What does it include? What does it cost? And when does it make sense for your organisation? In this article we answer these questions clearly and honestly.

What are managed IT services?

Managed IT services means that an external party — a Managed Service Provider (MSP) — takes responsibility for the management, monitoring and support of your IT environment. This is done proactively: the MSP doesn't wait until something breaks, but actively monitors, maintains and optimises your systems.

The key difference with traditional IT support:

In short: managed IT services gives you a complete IT department without having to build one internally.

What's included in managed IT services?

The exact scope varies between providers, but a comprehensive managed IT service typically covers:

Infrastructure management

• Server management and monitoring (cloud or on-premise)
• Network management — switches, firewalls, Wi-Fi, internet connections
• Cloud workstation hosting and management
• Storage and file server management

Security

• Firewall configuration and monitoring
• Endpoint protection (antivirus, EDR)
• Multi-factor authentication management
• Email security and anti-phishing
• Vulnerability scanning and patch management
• Security awareness training for employees
• Compliance support (ISO 27001, NEN 7510, NIS2)

Cloud and productivity

• Microsoft 365 licence management and configuration
• Microsoft Teams setup and support
• SharePoint and OneDrive management
• Azure Virtual Desktop or Windows 365 management
• Cloud migration planning and execution

Support

• Helpdesk for end-users (phone, email, remote)
• On-site support when needed
• User onboarding and offboarding
• Password resets and access management
• Device setup and deployment

Backup and continuity

• Daily backups (cloud and/or local)
• Disaster recovery planning and testing
• Business continuity management
• Microsoft 365 backup (email, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams)

Strategy and advice

• Periodic review meetings
• IT roadmap and budget planning
• Technology advice and vendor management
• Capacity planning for growth

Pricing models for managed IT services

There are several common pricing models in the market:

Per user per month (most common)

You pay a fixed monthly fee for each user. This is the most transparent model and scales naturally with your organisation.

Typical range: €50 – €150 per user per month, depending on what's included.

Per device per month

You pay per managed device (workstation, server, firewall). Less common for full managed services, more typical for pure monitoring contracts.

Typical range: €15 – €50 per device per month.

Tiered packages

Many MSPs offer tiered packages — for example Basic, Professional and Enterprise — with increasing levels of service and support.

All-inclusive

Everything in one price: workstation, software, security, support, backup. No surprises. This is the model Virtual Computing uses for our online workstation — from €35 per user per month, all-inclusive.

What does managed IT cost? A realistic comparison

Let's compare the costs for a typical SMB with 25 users:

Option A: Internal IT employee

That's €248 – €356 per user per month. And you still have a single point of failure — what happens when your IT person is ill or on holiday?

Option B: Managed IT services

That's €85 – €100 per user per month. You get a full team of specialists, 24/7 monitoring, enterprise-grade security and guaranteed availability.

Option C: Break-fix (no managed services)

The cheapest month looks affordable. The month you get hit by ransomware does not. The break-fix model is a gamble.

When does managed IT make sense?

Managed IT services are a smart choice when:

• You have 5-250 employees — Too large to ignore IT, too small for a full IT department
• IT isn't your core business — You'd rather focus on what you do best
• You handle sensitive data — Client data, financial information, medical records
• You need to comply with regulations — GDPR, ISO 27001, NEN 7510, NIS2
• You're growing — Your IT needs to scale without constant reinvestment
• You want predictable costs — Fixed monthly fee instead of surprises
• You've been burned before — Downtime, data loss or security incidents

Managed IT is less suitable if you have very specialised development environments that require deep in-house expertise, or if your organisation is large enough (250+ employees) to sustain a full internal IT team with specialists in every discipline.

Service Level Agreements (SLAs)

A good SLA defines the level of service you can expect. Key elements to look for:

Response times

Availability guarantee

Most MSPs offer 99.5% to 99.99% uptime guarantees. At Virtual Computing, we guarantee 99.9% uptime on our cloud workstation platform.

What to check in an SLA

• Are response times for initial response or for resolution?
• What counts as "downtime"?
• Are there financial penalties if SLAs aren't met?
• Is support included 24/7 or only during business hours?
• Are on-site visits included or billed separately?

How to choose a managed IT provider

Not all MSPs are equal. Here's what to evaluate:

Certifications

Does the provider hold relevant certifications? ISO 27001 demonstrates information security management. NEN 7510 is essential for healthcare. ISO 9001 shows quality management. Virtual Computing holds all three.

Team and expertise

How large is the team? What specialisations do they cover? At Virtual Computing, you always speak directly to a technical engineer — no call centre, no ticket queue.

Track record

How long have they been in business? What industries do they serve? Ask for references and case studies.

Technology stack

Does the provider use enterprise-grade tools for monitoring, management and security? Or are they running everything manually?

Transparency

Are prices clear and all-inclusive, or are there hidden costs for extras? At Virtual Computing, our pricing is transparent — what you see is what you get.

Contract flexibility

Are you locked into a multi-year contract, or can you cancel monthly? At Virtual Computing, we work with monthly cancellable contracts by default.

Local presence

Can the provider come on-site when needed? Virtual Computing is based in Tilburg and serves clients throughout the Netherlands, with a focus on the Brabant region (Tilburg, Eindhoven, Breda, Den Bosch).

Frequently asked questions

Do I lose control over my IT?

No. A good MSP works alongside you, not instead of you. You retain decision-making authority. Through our customer portal, you have real-time insight into your environment and can manage users, licences and tickets yourself.

Can I outsource only part of my IT?

Absolutely. Many organisations start with workstation management or Microsoft 365 management and later expand. You can also keep certain specialist applications in-house while outsourcing the rest.

How long does the transition take?

A typical migration for an SMB with 10-50 users takes 2-4 weeks, including planning, testing and training. We carry out the actual migration outside working hours to minimise disruption. Read more about cloud migration.

What happens to my current IT employee?

Managed IT services doesn't necessarily mean your IT person loses their job. Many organisations reposition their internal IT staff to focus on business applications, process improvement or project management — while the MSP handles infrastructure and support.

Is my data safe with an external provider?

When you choose a certified provider, your data is typically safer than on your own premises. Virtual Computing uses European data centres, encrypted connections and holds ISO 27001 and NEN 7510 certifications. Your data is backed up daily and you retain full ownership.

What if I'm not satisfied?

With monthly cancellable contracts, you're never locked in. A good MSP earns your business every month. If you want to switch, we assist with a smooth transition to your new provider.

Do managed IT services include hardware?

This varies. Some MSPs offer Hardware-as-a-Service where devices are included in the monthly fee. At Virtual Computing, our online workstation runs in the cloud, so employees can use any device — no expensive hardware purchases needed.

How do I calculate the ROI of managed IT services?

Consider not just the direct cost comparison, but also: reduced downtime, better security (fewer incidents), improved productivity, time saved by management not dealing with IT issues, and the cost of recruitment and retention of IT staff.

Ready to explore managed IT services?

Whether you're dealing with growing IT complexity, security concerns or simply want to focus on your core business — managed IT services can be the solution.

At Virtual Computing, we've been helping SMBs across the Netherlands with managed cloud workstations and IT services since 2014. With ISO 27001 and NEN 7510 certification, transparent pricing and monthly cancellable contracts, we make the choice easy.

Get in touch for a free consultation, or become a client directly. We're happy to show you what managed IT can do for your organisation.