In short: A managed IT provider keeps laptops, email accounts, networks, backups and a helpdesk running for a monthly fee; an IT consultant changes how you work by choosing, building and connecting software, usually per project. Many SMEs use both, while keeping admin access to domains, hosting and key accounts themselves.
A managed IT services provider keeps the technology you already have working: laptops, email accounts, office networks, backups, security tools and a helpdesk your staff can call. An IT consultant helps you change the technology: deciding which software to use, building tools, connecting systems and automating work. One is ongoing operations, the other is improvement projects. Most growing businesses eventually need both.
We are an IT consultancy, not a managed IT provider, so this page also says where we would point you elsewhere.
The quick comparison
| Managed IT services | IT consultant | |
|---|---|---|
| Main job | Keep existing IT running | Change how the business works with technology |
| Typical work | Helpdesk, devices, accounts, networks, backups, security monitoring | Software selection, custom tools, workflow automation, integrations, AI |
| How it is usually charged | Ongoing monthly fee, often per user or per device | Per project, or a retainer for ongoing improvements |
| When you call them | Something is broken or a staff member needs help | A process is slow, manual or does not scale |
| What you end up with | Fewer outages and a support line | New or improved systems |
| Who on their side | Support engineers and technicians | Consultants and developers |
When managed IT services fit
- Staff lose time to laptop, email, printer or Wi-Fi problems.
- Nobody is clearly responsible for accounts, passwords and access when people join or leave.
- You are unsure whether backups exist or whether devices are patched.
- You need someone to call when something breaks, with an agreed response time.
A managed IT provider takes these on for a regular fee. The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore’s Cyber Essentials mark is a useful checklist for the basics they should cover.
When an IT consultant fits
- Key work runs on spreadsheets, paper or chat threads and keeps slipping.
- Staff copy the same information between tools every day.
- You have tried several software products and still finish the job by hand.
- You want to use AI but are not sure where it would actually help.
- Your website or web app was built by someone who has moved on.
These are projects that change how work gets done. A consultancy like ours would look at the process, recommend whether to build, buy or connect, and then do it. See our workflow automation and AI integration pages for examples.
Using both
Many SMEs keep a managed IT provider for day-to-day support and bring in a consultancy for software projects. That works well when responsibilities are written down:
- The managed IT provider owns devices, accounts, networks, security tools and backups of those systems.
- The consultancy owns the applications, automations and integrations it builds, and their maintenance.
- You keep the admin access to domains, hosting and key accounts, so neither party is a single point of failure.
Questions to ask either type of provider
- What exactly is included, and what is charged separately?
- Who will do the work, and who do we contact when something goes wrong?
- How do you handle our data, and where is it stored?
- What happens if we stop working together? Do we keep all access and documentation?
- Can you show work similar to what we need?
Our guide on how to choose an IT consultancy goes further on the consultancy side, and our list of IT consultancies in Singapore includes both types.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an IT consultant and managed IT services?
A managed IT services provider runs your existing IT day to day for an ongoing fee: devices, accounts, networks, backups and helpdesk support. An IT consultant works on projects that change your systems, such as choosing software, building tools or automating workflows.
Can one company do both?
Some larger firms offer both. Many smaller firms specialise in one. It is reasonable to use a managed IT provider for support and a separate consultancy for software projects, as long as someone owns the overall picture.
Which should a small business hire first?
If staff cannot work reliably because of devices, email or network problems, fix that first with managed IT support. If the basics work but your processes run on spreadsheets and manual copying, an IT consultant will make more difference.
Is FYAdvisers a managed IT services provider?
No. FYAdvisers is a technology consultancy. We build custom software, automate workflows, integrate AI and maintain websites and web apps. We do not provide helpdesk, device or network support.