A retainer model is an arrangement where a client pays a recurring fee to reserve a provider's capacity or expertise for ongoing work. It suits support, advisory and improvement work that has no single end point or fixed scope.
Managed services is an engagement where an outside provider runs a system or function, such as cloud infrastructure or support, against agreed service levels. The client buys an ongoing outcome rather than paying for individual people or hours.
Post-launch support is the work of keeping software running, secure and improving after release. It covers bug fixes, monitoring, updates, user help and small enhancements.
Time and materials (T&M) is a contract model where the client pays for the actual time worked and costs incurred, at agreed rates. It replaces a fixed price for a fixed scope with flexible billing that follows the work as it changes.
Staff augmentation supplies engineers who work under your direction; managed services hands an ongoing function to a provider bound by service levels. One buys capacity, the other buys a running outcome with defined accountability.
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