Managed IT Services is a rapidly growing industry – and for good reason. They’re the perfect solution for small businesses that need help with their tech needs but don’t have an in-house IT team on hand.
A managed service provider can handle your routine maintenance, security updates, data backups, and more. This frees up time for you to focus on what’s most important: running your business!
Now that we’ve established some of the benefits of Managed IT Services, let’s talk about how it could impact your company in 2024.
Reason #1: FILL GAPS IN IN-HOUSE EXPERTISE
As technology becomes more and more complex, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by growing technology needs. If you have a dedicated IT person, keeping up can be almost impossible. What you don’t know can potentially put your business at risk.
Managed IT Services can step in to fill some of these gaps for you! This way, your company has access to an expert team who knows how to keep things running smoothly. You’ll spend less time managing your IT needs, freeing up time for you to focus on your business.
A Managed IT Services provider can help with a host of tasks that your in-house team does not have the time or expertise to handle.
They include:
- Help desk and remote support
- Onsite support that is proactive and responsive
- 24x7x365 monitoring of desktop, server, and network equipment
- Local servers and cloud hosting
- Hosting for application development
- Disaster Recovery and Backups
- Microsoft Office 365 or other Hosted Email services
- Anti-virus and anti-malware protection, SPAM blocking, and content filtering
- Secure VPN connection to computers and servers
- Client concierge services, along with technological planning and advocacy
- Computer, Wi-Fi, server, and network security management
- Procurement of Hardware and Software
- Warranty management
- IT Project planning and management
Reason #2: ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
One of the primary benefits of using a managed service provider is that they can take care of your routine maintenance for you. This includes things like security updates, data backups, and more. By outsourcing this work to a third party, you can rest assured that it’s being done correctly and on time. Managed service providers are up to date with the newest technological advancements so that you can feel confident in their expertise.
Reason #3: PROTECTION FROM CYBERCRIME
In 2024, online cybercrime will continue to be a serious and growing concern for businesses of all sizes. Hackers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and there’s no telling what kinds of threats will become more common over time. Fortunately, using a managed service provider can help you stay ahead of the curve and protect your business from potential cyber-attacks.
Managed service providers have the resources and expertise to keep your systems up-to-date with the latest security patches, helping to reduce your risk of becoming a victim of cybercrime.
Reason #4: DATA BACKUP AND RECOVERY
In the event of a data loss or system crash, it can be difficult for small businesses to recover without proper backups. A managed service provider can help you safeguard your data by setting up regular backups and ensuring they are stored in a safe location.
If something should happen to your systems, having a recent backup will allow you to get back up and running quickly without losing any critical data.
Reason #5: MANAGE YOUR IT BUDGET
When you’re a small business, every penny counts. That’s why it can be helpful to outsource some of your technology needs to a managed service provider. This way, you’ll know exactly what your IT budget is for the year, and you won’t have to worry about unexpected expenses popping up.
While having your own internal IT staff can be convenient, it is expensive. The cost of salaries, benefits, insurance, and education really add up. You’d need a large team to cover all of the expertise that you need throughout the year. A Managed Services solution gives you access to a wide range of expertise for one fixed monthly fee.
You’ll have access to immediate support whenever problems arise, leaving less room for downtime or interruptions in workflow.
Reason #6: FREE UP TIME WITH MANAGED IT SERVICES
One of the most significant benefits of outsourcing your IT needs is that it can free up time for you to focus on running your business. After all, spending hours every week taking care of routine maintenance isn’t exactly thrilling!
By using a Managed Service Provider, you won’t have to worry about any tech issues popping up, so you’re able to focus on what’s most important.
Reason #7: INVESTING IN FUTURE GROWTH
Technology is constantly evolving, and businesses must keep up to stay competitive. By investing in Managed IT Services now, you are setting yourself up for future growth and success.
Managed service providers can provide valuable insights and expertise on the latest technological advancements that could benefit your business. They can also help with implementing new systems or processes that will improve your efficiency and productivity.
Reason #8: YOUR OWN DEDICATED IT TEAM
By outsourcing your IT needs to a managed service provider, you essentially have access to an entire team of dedicated IT professionals. This means that you no longer have to rely on one or two individuals for all of your technology needs.
A managed service provider will have a team of experts with diverse backgrounds and skill sets, ensuring that all of your technology needs are met efficiently and effectively.
Plus, with a dedicated IT team, you can rest assured that any issues will be resolved quickly and your systems will be up and running as soon as possible.
This can greatly improve the overall productivity and success of your business, allowing you to focus on your core competencies while leaving the IT tasks to the experts. With a dedicated team managing your technology needs, you can have peace of mind knowing that your business is in good hands.
HOW TO GET STARTED BENEFITTING FROM MANAGED IT SERVICES
Using a managed service provider can help your business in many ways, including filling gaps in in-house expertise, protecting from cybercrime, and managing your IT budget. By freeing up time for you to focus on other aspects of your business, a managed service provider can help you optimize your technology investments.
It’s more important than ever to protect your business from cyber-attacks while managing your IT budget carefully. Undoubtedly, Managed IT Services will continue to grow as an industry over the next several years, so it makes sense to get on board early!
FAQs
Q: How much does it cost to use a managed service provider?
A: The cost of using a managed service provider varies depending on the services you need and the size of your business. However, most providers offer flexible pricing models that allow you to pay for only what you need.
Q: Will I still have control over my IT systems if I use a managed service provider?
A: Yes, you will still have control over your IT systems. However, the managed service provider will handle routine maintenance and monitoring to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Q: What if I already have an internal IT team?
A: Even if you already have an internal IT team, a managed service provider can provide additional support and expertise to supplement your existing resources. Your internal team can focus on more strategic initiatives while the managed service provider handles routine and time-consuming tasks. So, it’s a win-win situation for your business!
Q: How often will backups be performed?
A: The frequency of backups will depend on your specific needs and the recommendations of your managed service provider. They will work with you to determine the best backup schedule for your business to ensure your data is always secure and accessible.
Q: How do I know if a managed service provider is right for my business?
A: Consider your current IT needs, budget, and future growth goals when deciding if a managed service provider is right for your business. It’s also helpful to research different providers and read reviews from other businesses that have used their services. Ultimately, a consultation with a managed service provider can help you determine if they are the right fit for your business.
