What Small Businesses Need to Know about Managed IT Services
April 5th, 2022 by Brian Wakefield
If you run a small business, you will always look for ways to save time and money. Most business activities now take place on desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. Therefore, it is vital to have a well-configured computer network to make the work efficient. If your budget is limited, it might make sense to handle your own IT, but can Managed IT services help small businesses? Here's our answer!
Small Businesses Can Benefit from Managed IT Services
If you use a Managed IT service on a monthly subscription basis, you have the advantage of knowing what your IT will cost you each month and when payment is due. However, it may be more challenging to predict what costs will be needed, and when, if you use your own IT.
Performing impromptu repairs and bringing in outside help when requested can be expensive and lead to unexpected costs. However, with scheduled services, you can plan your finances and budget accordingly because you will know exactly how much your IT costs.
Cheaper IT Support
Using an external IT department will likely be more cost-effective than hiring an internal IT team for a small business. Outside help also takes up less of your company's time and personnel resources. Having scheduled service can also be cheaper in the long run than paying for on-demand help when you need it.
Skill
Bringing in an in-house specialist can be costly, as expertise doesn't come cheap. In addition, if you and your management lack specialized IT skills and knowledge, it can make it more difficult for your business to grow.
With IT services, you have access to an IT expert whenever you need them, without recruiting and hiring a professional yourself. Instead, whenever you need help, you will call on an expert.
Your network will also be constantly monitored by experts and maintained without you having to do anything. As a result, you'll have peace of mind and time to focus on other business needs.
More Availability
Computer downtime over an extended period can be a disaster for a small business, significantly impacting productivity.
If you outsource to an IT agency, they will constantly monitor and maintain it. This means they can quickly identify and resolve any issues, dramatically reducing the amount of possible downtime. In addition, this means you can continue working without interruption.
Up-to-Date Software and Technology
Software developments can happen quickly, and it can get costly trying to keep up with the latest technology. Without upgrades, your business can very quickly find itself without up-to-date technology.
Using a managed service provider (MSP) means accessing the latest software and other technology options. Your staff will be able to continue using the best options available without you having to pay for them. Your MSP will also be able to speak to any software or hardware vendor on your behalf, meaning you won't have to deal with technical discussions you don't understand.
Security
Cybercrime cases continue to grow and pose a serious threat to businesses. Cyber attackers typically target small businesses because they know they don't have strong defenses to protect their data. The other problem is that crimes like data theft are common in small businesses.
Your experts can help you identify potential threats to your business and take the necessary steps to protect your data. Experts know common hazards and how to deal with them before they affect your business.
What Can IT Managed Services Do to Help Your Small Business?
Managed IT services allow small businesses to focus on strategic and business activities while keeping costs low and profits high. The company outsources some or all of its IT functions to an external company. It ensures the proper functioning of the infrastructure and services and the proactive management of the IT systems covered by the contract.
According to the Computing Technology Industry Association (CTIA), more and more business leaders opt for this type of two-tier IT strategy. Thus, internal resources are actively devoted to research, innovation, and value-added projects to generate business opportunities, while the general maintenance of the infrastructure is entrusted to an external firm.
Among other things, managed IT services can support:
- Infrastructure monitoring
- Network management
- Infrastructure security
- Capacity and performance management
- Backup management
- Data recovery
- Management of the workstation fleet
- User support
- Antivirus and software patch management
- Management of hardware, software, and maintenance contract inventory
- Management of other suppliers or services (software, cloud services, internet access, etc.)
No matter what type of business you run, you need IT services to improve your operations. Technology is constantly changing, so you need to use it in your business operations to keep pace with the changes happening in the market you operate in. If used correctly, technology can dramatically improve the efficiency of your operations and, ultimately, productivity.
Posted in: Managed IT
