A managed server is a dedicated server that is maintained by an external provider, taking care of software, hardware, troubleshooting and maintenance. The top managed server providers are DedicatedNOW, SingleHop and RackSpace. Each provides fully managed servers with 24/7 support located in their own data centers. DedicatedNOW focuses on high quality infrastructure at low prices in Windows and Linux. SingleHop offers flexible options including a selection of managed hosting plans and the ability to customize services. RackSpace provides a dedicated support team to serve as an extension of the customer's business. The best managed server provider meets the specific needs of each organization.