Managed Services and Professional Services
Some organizations engage us for projects, some for ongoing operations, and many for both. Here is what each looks like, how they fit together, and how to know which one you need.
Build it, or keep it running. Often, both.
Professional services are project-based engagements: designing, deploying, and implementing something new, scoped and billed per project. Managed services are the ongoing operational support that keeps your environment stable, secure, and monitored every day, under a predictable monthly agreement. Most organizations use a mix, and the two are stronger together.
Project-based work
A defined project with a clear start and end. We design, architect, and deploy something new, then hand off a completed outcome. Scoped in a statement of work and billed per project.
Ongoing operations
Continuous support, monitoring, and management of your environment under a fixed monthly agreement. We keep systems stable, secure, and performing, and take accountability for the outcome day to day.
If you are asking us to keep something running, that is managed services. If you are asking us to build, change, or implement something new, that is professional services.
| Attribute | Professional Services | Managed Services |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Defined project with a clear start and end date | Ongoing, continuous support and monitoring |
| Billing | Billed per project, hourly rate, or milestone | Fixed monthly recurring fee under contract |
| Engagement | Temporary; concludes when deliverables are accepted | Long-term contractual relationship |
| Staffing | Dedicated project engineers or specialists | Shared service desk, NOC, and SOC teams |
| Change Management | Managed through project change orders and SOWs | Handled via standard change request process |
| Goal | Deliver a specific outcome or transformation | Maintain stability, uptime, and security |
When does a request become professional services?
A request is typically a professional services engagement when it meets one or more of these criteria.
It involves designing, architecting, or deploying new infrastructure, applications, or platforms not currently under management.
It requires a dedicated project plan, timeline, or statement of work.
The effort exceeds routine maintenance for a single initiative.
It introduces a net-new technology, vendor, or platform, such as a new firewall vendor, SD-WAN overlay, or cloud migration.
It requires physical on-site work such as cabling, rack-and-stack, or office relocations.
It demands specialized expertise beyond standard helpdesk or NOC support, such as security architecture or wireless site surveys.
What is a project, and what is ongoing
Common examples across key areas, so you can see where a request typically lands.
| Technology | Professional Services (build or change) | Managed Services (keep it running) |
|---|---|---|
| Firewalls | New deployment or platform migration, rule redesign, HA cluster, site-to-site VPN design | Firmware and patching, VPN tunnel monitoring, standard rule changes, log review and threat alerting |
| SD-WAN | Solution design and initial deployment, circuit migration and cutover, WAN redesign, security stack integration | Circuit health and failover monitoring, firmware and config patching, connectivity troubleshooting, QoS adjustments |
| Switching | Core switch replacement or re-architecture, VLAN and segmentation projects, new branch buildouts, 802.1X / NAC | Firmware updates and port changes, uplink and error monitoring, VLAN port assignments, routing health checks |
| Wireless | Site survey and network design, AP deployment across buildings, controller migration, guest and captive portal design | AP firmware updates, signal and client monitoring, SSID and policy changes, performance troubleshooting |
| Servers / Cloud | On-prem to cloud migration, new server deployments, hypervisor migration, DR design and implementation | OS patching, performance and uptime monitoring, backup verification and test restores, account and permission changes |
| Security | SIEM deployment and log onboarding, zero-trust design, email gateway implementation, penetration testing and remediation | EDR updates and monitoring, alert triage and response, email quarantine management, vulnerability scan scheduling |
| Helpdesk | Typically covered under managed services | Password resets and lockouts, workstation troubleshooting, printer and peripheral support, application support |
How managed services makes your life easier
If you have only ever bought projects, managed services is the layer that keeps what we built performing, and prevents the next fire before it starts.
Fewer fires to fight
Monitoring and proactive maintenance catch issues before they become outages, so you spend less time reacting.
Predictable monthly cost
A fixed recurring fee instead of unpredictable break-fix bills makes budgeting and planning far simpler.
Accountability, not just fixes
Someone is responsible for stability, security, and uptime every day, not only when you call with a problem.
Coverage without headcount
Bench strength across networking, security, cloud, and identity without hiring for every skill in-house.
Priority on your projects
Managed services clients receive priority scheduling for professional services engagements when you do need a project.
The investment keeps paying off
What we build stays optimized and secure over time, protecting the value of the projects you already funded.
Two services, one engagement model
Both fit inside how we work. Every relationship starts with an assessment. Professional services carry out the transform work, and managed services operate and continuously improve what we build.
Common questions
What is the difference between managed and professional services?
How am I billed for each?
Can I use both together?
How do I know which one my request needs?
Do I have to be a managed services client to use professional services?
I am already a managed services client. Is migrating to a new firewall platform included in my monthly agreement?
Not sure which you need?
Tell us what you are trying to accomplish. We will scope the work, recommend the right classification, and give you a clear estimate before anything begins.