More and more businesses are moving to the cloud, and for good reason. The value cloud services generate from enabling organizations to innovate is worth more than five times what’s possible through IT cost reductions.1 But while the cloud opens up a world of flexibility and scale, managing it all can quickly become overwhelming.
That's where managed cloud services come in. These services allow businesses to offload day-to-day cloud operations to a managed services provider (MSP) – and it's an increasingly popular option, with 60% of organizations opting to outsource public cloud management to an MSP this year.2
But what exactly does a cloud managed services provider do, and are they right for your business? Below, we’ll break down the definition, benefits, and potential challenges to help you decide.
Managed cloud services involve handing off routine cloud management tasks to a third-party provider. Instead of managing every aspect of your cloud environment in-house, a managed services provider steps in to keep everything running smoothly.
In most cases, a cloud managed services provider will function as an extension of your IT team. Your in-house team keeps its strategic IT focus, while the MSP manages cloud-specific responsibilities like:
Your organization still maintains ownership and control over your systems. The MSP simply brings in the extra hands – and expertise – to help your cloud environments stay secure, efficient, and aligned with your goals.
Managed cloud services aren’t just about saving time. When done right, they can bring real value to your business in several ways:
Flexera’s 2025 State of the Cloud Report revealed that 84% of IT professionals struggle to manage cloud spend.2 Managed service providers make it easier to save on cloud services by reducing the need to hire specialized staff, purchase monitoring tools, or maintain redundant systems. Plus, they can help eliminate unnecessary cloud spending by fine-tuning how you use resources, so you can stay on budget while still meeting performance expectations.
Scaling your cloud infrastructure as your business grows can get complicated. A cloud managed IT services provider can help you expand without overcommitting resources or risking downtime during transitions – whether you're adding new users, rolling out new apps, or opening a new office.
When your cloud systems are tuned and maintained by experts, performance improves. MSPs work proactively to distribute workloads, reduce bottlenecks, and configure your infrastructure for stability. That means smoother experiences for your employees and customers, with fewer interruptions.
Managing a cloud platform takes more than general IT knowledge. Managed cloud providers bring expertise in platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud, giving you access to specialists who can guide decisions and troubleshoot issues effectively.
Cloud systems don’t keep regular business hours, and neither do potential threats. Cloud managed services providers offer around-the-clock monitoring and support, giving you peace of mind that someone’s always watching over your systems and ready to respond when needed.
Cloud security incidents increased by 154% in 2024, and 61% of businesses reported significant disruptions.3 Cloud managed IT services help lower your risk without stretching your internal team thin by managing access policies, data encryption, regular patching, and ongoing compliance support.
There are many situations where managed cloud services can make a difference. Here are a few examples:
While the advantages of managed cloud are clear, it’s also important to understand potential drawbacks, such as:
Outsourcing some parts of your cloud environment means you may no longer have the same level of hands-on control or visibility. It’s important to work with a provider that values transparency, offers detailed reporting, and includes you in decision-making.
Bringing in a third party means trusting them with your data and systems. Do your due diligence by asking about their security certifications, data handling practices, and incident response plans before handing over control.
Depending on how services are structured, some providers may lock you into proprietary tools or processes that make it hard to switch later. Look for partners that prioritize flexibility and portability.
Though managed services usually reduce internal costs, the subscription-based nature of managed services can lead to unexpected charges if not properly managed. Be sure to review contracts carefully and ask for clear details around pricing and service levels.
Choosing a cloud-managed services model might be a strong fit if your organization:
If any of these apply, managed cloud services could provide much-needed support and clarity for your IT roadmap.
Managing cloud infrastructure can quickly become complex, especially as your business grows and adopts new technologies. Working with a cloud-managed services provider frees up your teams for other tasks while ensuring your systems are secure, efficient, and aligned with your long-term goals at all times.
At TailWind, we help multi-location enterprises simplify cloud operations with scalable, expert-driven IT support. From day-to-day support to long-term strategy, we offer proactive, hands-on IT services that take the complexity out of managing cloud environments across all your locations.
Ready to take control of your cloud environment? Contact us today to learn how our managed IT services can help.
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