Regardless of industry or size, technology lies at the center of every business. However, in most small to medium sized companies there are certain limitations when it comes to IT. With an outsourced IT managed services provider, your organization can save time and money. Read more about just a few of the benefits of managed services.
What is Managed Services?
Managed services refers to the outsourcing of technology resources and support to 3rd party partner. In some cases, a managed services provider (MSP) is an extension of an internal IT team. In others, the company relies solely on the provider for all of their IT needs.
A managed services team will make sure your network and devices are working seamlessly and effectively. The following are a few specific services that a managed services provider may offer for your business:
- Server and workstation proactive monitoring
- Patching & Anti-Virus
- Continuity/disaster plans
- Network and email security services
- Remote help desk
- Reporting
- Technology planning – virtual CIO
7 Benefits of Hiring an MSP
1.Reduce Risk & Increase Security
Cybersecurity breaches have become an epidemic. Even one virus can bring your business to a standstill.
“As many as 60% of hacked small and medium-sized businesses go out of business after six months.”
A managed services team can offer the highest level of protection from hackers, viruses and malware. Even if a virus would happen to get through, with managed services you’ll have a team of experts helping you to restore data and get your business up and running again as quickly as possible.
2. Remote IT Support
Especially now that the workforce is trending more towards remote capabilities, such has the need for remote IT support. No matter where you are – in the office, in another office, at home – support is just a ticket away. This improves not only the response time, since a technician does not have to drive to physically address an issue for a user. But this also lessens downtime
3. Customizable
CIO states that the best managed service providers will create a customized plan based on your specific business needs. In some cases, an all-inclusive support model is required. In other instances, maybe only specific tasks are needed to be outsourced. It is important for an MSP to implement a solution that best suits your company’s structure and not a “one-size-fits-all”.
4. Predictable Cost
Having a consistent and predictable monthly IT cost is a key benefit of Managed Services. IT can become very overwhelming when facing hardware expenditures, opening new locations, hiring general staff as well as IT staff. By carving out what an MSP can provide – whether that is everything or certain aspects of your IT support – can make budgeting less of a hassle.
5. Level the Playing Field
Many businesses can’t afford to hire a tech staff that can compete with large corporations. When you hire an outside team of experts, your technology will be cutting-edge no matter how small your business may be. Not only will you have the best technology, but your team will help maintain less down time, fewer IT interruptions and greater continuity of service. This ultimately means your business will experience an increase in productivity and efficiency. At the end of the day, you should have to worry about whether your PC has enough RAM or if your server is running optimally. IT should be as seamless as using a pen and paper. Focus on your customers and your core business, leave your IT to Centrality.
6. Proactive vs. Reactive
Managed Services is a proactive support model as opposed to a reactive support model. For instance, managed services is designed to proactively maintain servers by delivering regular maintenance, monitoring, management, unlimited remote remediation. Therefore, this reduces the likelihood and impact of an unwanted technology failure, while resolving any identified issues.
On the other hand, a reactive support model – also known as break-fix – addresses issues only as they arise. This can often impact downtime, as well as decrease the SLA.
7. Keep Up with Technology
Technology is constantly changing and it can be difficult for even large enterprises to keep up to date. According to BizTech, one of the advantages of outsourcing your IT is that you’ll be able to partner with technically advanced engineers whose specialty is emerging technologies.
“51% of small-business owners cite time as the single biggest obstacle to adopting new technologies, and 18% say a lack of understanding is their greatest barrier.”
However, keeping up with the latest technology is only part of the process. A managed services provider should also suggest ways that specific types of technology can help your business be as successful as possible. You don’t want to invest in technology just because it’s the latest thing on the market. You need an IT team that can help you recommend, plan and customize the proper technology needed your specific IT needs. One of the most valuable aspects of Centrality’s Managed Services is that your organization gains a trusted technology advisor.
