Whether you’re running a large corporation or a small business, managed services can make your job easier by taking care of your technical needs. With the right managed services plan, you’ll have more time to focus on building, growing, and managing your business.
New to managed IT providers? Here’s a list of the top five benefits
1. Stronger cybersecurity
Most businesses don’t have the time or expertise to implement an iron-clad cybersecurity system, so they don’t do much of anything. This is unfortunate, considering small businesses are hackers’ number one target.
It’s better to outsource your cybersecurity unless you have a full-time, in-house IT security team. When you have a managed services provider, they will create a cybersecurity plan tailored to meet your needs.
Securing your business is more involved than just installing a firewall and a VPN. There are many reasons to hire a pro for IT security. For example, if you accept payments from customers, you’ll need to be PCI-compliant, and you’ll also need expert advice to comply with any other data regulations applicable to your business.
Your managed IT provider will also secure your company network, help you create a plan for managing remote employees, restrict access to company resources, and help you secure third-party applications. They’ll configure your databases properly and ensure that you have solid backups and a business continuity plan in case you get hit by an attack. You really can’t beat help from a pro.
2. Proactive network monitoring
It’s critical to monitor your network continually for errors and threats. However, on your own, this requires having an in-house IT team that can respond to issues at all hours of the night. Chances are, even if you do have an IT team, you’re not paying them to be on call 24/7. If you have an issue outside of regular business hours, there’s no guarantee it will be handled before it escalates.
With a managed services provider (MSP), your network will be monitored 24/7, and issues will be handled immediately. This reduces risk to your business and ensures business continuity with minimal downtime.
3. Expertise
You can’t beat the expertise of a managed IT team. MSPs hire the best talent they can find, and this is a massive benefit to your business. You can’t afford to implement sub-par IT solutions, hardware, and software. Every technical component needs to be strategically implemented based on your needs and to the highest standards possible.
When there’s a difference between hardware brands, an expert will know which one to choose. You won’t have to try to find individual experts to hire in-house just to ensure your business runs smoothly. A managed service provider will have all the expertise you need to build a secure and efficient IT infrastructure.
4. Better costs
Hiring an in-house IT team will prove more expensive than outsourcing your needs to a managed IT team. You’ll have to pay for monthly salaries, bonuses, and benefits, and you’ll have to pay more taxes. On top of that, you’ll need to train your team.
It’s less expensive to run your IT through a managed services provider. You’ll pay one monthly fee for all the services you need, plus you’ll have access to additional services like emergency repairs, training, licensing, and consulting. You won’t have to risk hiring unfamiliar contractors or onboarding new employees just to get short-term services.
5. They’ll connect with your vendors
You probably have quite a few different vendors for all of your IT equipment, whether it’s hardware, software, or cloud-based accounts. If you’re not an IT pro, getting support from these vendors can be difficult due to the technical nature of your needs. In fact, you might not even be able to articulate your exact needs.
When you have a business IT service, they’ll handle communicating with all of your software and hardware vendors, so you don’t have to try to figure out what to say or implement solutions you don’t understand. This is especially beneficial when you need to replace equipment because an IT pro will know how to talk to a vendor to get a good deal.
Managed IT provides long-term support
If you plan to scale your business, working with a managed services provider will make this easier. For example, if you don’t have previous experience scaling your resources for holidays and promotions, they’ll help you meet your requirements.
Ultimately, managed services can optimize your IT processes, protect your digital assets, supply you with the latest technology, and save time and money.
