Technology management used to be simple. There was a time when companies would keep all their IT operations in-house, simply because they wanted to have more control over the process. Nowadays, however, that’s not so easy.
As technology becomes deeply integrated into every layer of business, many IT departments find themselves overwhelmed with a list of service and support requests that grows every day. This is why many companies are turning to managed services providers to complement their internal IT team.
There are many more advantages to managed services than simply handing over the stress of technology management to a third-party provider. Let’s take a look at what managed services actually entail and more importantly, how they can benefit your business.
Managed services explained
Managed services is a term that refers to outsourcing your company’s technology to an IT firm -- commonly referred to as a managed services provider (MSP). The MSP is responsible for monitoring, managing, and maintaining your IT environment, making sure everything is up to par and performing at its peak.
The majority of MSP clients are small- and medium-sized businesses who either do not have an internal IT department or have one but are looking for reliable experts to take day-to-day IT support and other tasks off their plates.
Total cost control
Just think about the costs of hiring an IT staff in terms of salary, benefits, training, and the recruitment costs. The good news is you don’t have to worry about any of these things when you outsource your technology to a managed services provider.
Budget predictability is perhaps the biggest advantage of partnering with an MSP. The fact that they will constantly monitor your systems around the clock for a contractual monthly fee means you can predict your IT expenses accurately without worrying about big repair bills at the end of the month.
Enhanced security
Over the years, cyber threats have grown in both volume and sophistication, to the extent that many of them are able to worm their way through even the tightest of security defenses. And since small businesses don’t have the same level of protection as large enterprises do, it’s even easier for hackers to gain access to their networks and steal sensitive data.
Managed services providers can reduce the risks of security breaches by installing and expertly configuring firewalls and antivirus software, as well as keeping your systems up to date with the latest patches to ensure your network is as secure as possible. By partnering with an MSP, you’ll be in a better position to safeguard your business from a potentially devastating data breach.
Proactive system monitoring
The 24-hour remote monitoring offered by MSPs allows most problems to be addressed before they can cause downtime events. And for cases that require on-site repairs, most MSPs will dispatch a technician to your office the same day. With a dedicated team of technology experts by your side, you can relieve yourself from many recurring, time-consuming IT issues and concentrate on more profitable tasks.
Exclusive vendor relationship
MSPs work closely with top-tier technology vendors like Microsoft, Dell, Symantec, and Cisco, which means they can get discounts on bulk purchases -- something even large-scale businesses may not be able to achieve. They can negotiate on your behalf, making sure you get contract terms that are in your best interests.
Managed IT services exist to prevent problems so you never need to fight them. When your technology is properly managed and maintained, you can spend your time on managing your business and keeping your customers happy.
If you'd like to learn more about how managed services can directly benefit your business, give us a call. We’ll be happy to discuss a custom solution that works for you.
