By Christian Ståhlberg, Head of Managed Operations at emagine
Managed Services are evolving as new intelligent technology and customised solutions emerge, adapting to the new landscape of increasingly specialised talent requirements.
In this article, Head of Managed Operations at emagine, Christian Ståhlberg, discusses the new conditions for managed solutions and suggests a more personalised approach.
The pace of change is faster now than it has ever been. Our World in Data highlights that it took our ancestors 2.4 million years to control and use fire for cooking, yet just 66 years after the first flight in 1903, a man landed on the moon.
Fast forward to 2024, and artificial intelligence (AI) is on the cusp of having a transformative impact on humanity, which the publication argues is because intelligence is the primary driver of innovation, so if technological change is being driven by AI as well as human intelligence, the pace of change is only going to build.
This shift presents challenges for businesses trying to stay ahead and remain competitive. Bringing in expertise through managed services is a practical solution. Still, suppliers must adapt to a new way of working to provide their clients with a flexible, customised and future-proof service.
Constant technological advancements are challenging for smaller and larger business. External consultants can contribute with new knowledge to teams and services.
Intelligence is the primary driver of innovation, so if technological change is being driven by AI as well as human intelligence, the pace of change is only going to build.
For example, AI, GenAI, and cybersecurity developments are moving at such a rapid pace that larger organisations are struggling to keep pace and reap the benefits.
Newer, smaller businesses can usually evolve and transform more easily.
In financial services, for example, challenger banks and fintech startups have more significant opportunities and agility to leverage emerging technology from the get-go, building the infrastructure and data practices to give them an edge and the ability to keep evolving quickly.
Adjusting to new technologies and their related risks is a much greater challenge for larger, more established financial institutions, given the scale of the projects and the expertise needed for implementation and maintenance.
Buy-in from the leadership teams of traditional banks and financial institutions can sometimes be challenging, too, as digital transformation is new territory.
Moreover, technological advancements don’t stand still, and spotting opportunities requires a complete understanding of a business and its strategic goals.
Of course, engaging experts for managed services to deliver and manage a company’s IT services and infrastructure is not new.
Traditionally, the external supplier would take over responsibility for delivering a particular project or service in its entirety and relative isolation, allowing the company’s employees to focus on their core activities. For example, a growing healthcare business might outsource its IT provision.
However, this model is no longer suited to the needs and expectations of today’s business world, in which the landscape is continually shifting and talent requirements are becoming increasingly specialised. Managed services need to adapt to the evolving picture to add value.
With more companies embarking on digital transformation and leveraging emerging technologies to maximise business outcomes, today’s managed services suppliers have a vital role to play.
They must evolve into flexible and strategic partners, deliver scalable solutions that promote innovation, and continuously suggest improvements tailored to the specific requirements of the client’s business.
Managed services vendors must evolve into flexible and strategic partners, deliver scalable solutions that promote innovation, and continuously suggest improvements tailored to the specific requirements of the client's business.
Data is an essential component. New technologies endlessly extend the possibilities for leveraging data to streamline operations, reduce time or costs, or find opportunities to introduce other efficiencies now or in the future.
Managed services suppliers must partner with businesses to use this data to identify these opportunities and deliver outcomes aligned with key business objectives.
This is only possible with a deep understanding of the company’s business model, workflows and strategic goals.
Christian Ståhlberg: “The most successful managed services suppliers will offer a flexible and personalised approach and build long-lasting partnerships.”
As technologies evolve, so do the expertise and skills needed to take advantage of them. These skills are increasingly sought after and in short supply.
An outsourcing supplier will bring these skills and a high level of professional expertise that extends beyond them, built up from the experience working with other businesses on a wide range of projects.
For example, emagine’s consultants deliver managed services in areas of expertise in the firm’s DNA. They have a deep understanding of the business challenges that their clients face.
As a global operation, our consultants can also leverage industry expertise across the multiple sectors in which we operate, such as finance, utilities, automotive and manufacturing, among many others.
As businesses adapt and pivot to navigate the choppy and changeable waters of digital transformation and explore new technologies, a long-term vision and strategy are needed.
Going forward, the most successful managed services suppliers will offer a flexible and personalised approach and build long-lasting partnerships to support these businesses through ongoing change.
As true partners, those suppliers can guide their clients to future-proof their business not only by implementing new technologies but also by adding value to support their maintenance and identifying new opportunities for further innovations.
