Managed Services is a term that can mean many things to many different people. Some uses of the term managed services do not have any hint of technology at all. The term managed services, as used in the technology industry, has a precise meaning particularly for those companies who call themselves Managed Service Providers (or MSPs).

The NOC, or Network Operation Center, is usually a physical location where a MSP Alliance delivers their managed services. The NOC is the heart or nerve center of the MSP operation. Originally used by telecommunications companies, the NOC was used as a centralized place where service technicians could safely and securely work, without having to worry about disruptions of power, Internet connectivity, or other disruptive occurrences, whether caused by natural or unnatural events.

The Help Desk (sometimes called a service desk) is oftentimes confused or mistaken for a Network Operation Center (NOC). Although these two components sometimes are located in the same physical space, the help desk and NOC actually serve different functions in a service provider organization. If the NOC is the centralized area where the MSP monitors and manages objects on behalf of the customer, the help desk is also a centralized area where the MSP interacts with end-users to help them resolve issues.

RMM tools have transformed from being costly and complex during the 1990s to user-friendly and affordable solutions. They have enabled MSPs to transition from on-site technician visits to remote monitoring and management of multiple devices simultaneously, enhancing efficiency and scalability