If you find yourself asking “why do I need a managed service provider?” you’re not alone. When your IT systems are running smoothly, with no problems, error messages or viruses, it can be tempting to pat yourself on the back for not using outsourced IT support services.
As a smaller company, maybe you rely on the most “technically savvy” employee to play the role of helpdesk or IT guy when problems arise with devices, software or the network. This works to an extent but as your business grows, the ‘off the side of the desk’ approach can mean there’s no coordinated plan for IT, the business runs slower than it should, and, heaven forbid, the employee leaves and suddenly you discover that there is no documentation – passwords included – for your IT.
How about on-demand IT support? Someone who comes out only when there is an issue? That sounds cost-effective. In the long run, a reactive approach that only deals with immediate problems can be very expensive and cost you productivity and unplanned downtime too
A managed service provider (MSP) is a consultative, proactive partner that helps maintain your IT infrastructure and optimizes the technology environment for your business.
Managed Service Providers
Over the last several years, businesses have become more familiar with managed services and are turning to them for management of certain IT functions, particularly email hosting, storage, backup and recovery, and network monitoring.
According to CompTIA’s 2016 Buying Guide for Managed Services, 64 percent of organizations are using some form of managed services. The global Managed Services Market size is projected by Valuate Reports to grow from USD 178.5 billion in 2019 to USD 309.4 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 9.6% over the forecast period.
CompTIA also found that 53 percent of organizations that use managed services have kept their internal IT department the same, 15 percent had no internal IT department to begin with, and only 6 percent got rid of their internal IT employees.
7 Best Reasons Businesses Turn to a Managed Service Provider
In the past, cost-savings were seen as the biggest driver, now businesses are looking for other benefits.
1. Improved security
Your business stores, accesses, or transmits critical data and you are unsure whether you will be able prevent sensitive data leaks, hacks, fraudulent attempts. Managed services ensure that critical data such as personal and financial information, and medical records are protected all the times while also employing strategic protocols to deal with theft intrusion attempts.
2. A proactive approach to IT problems
It is common for businesses to face IT problems, especially with technology constantly changing. Upgrading your technology and keeping regular data backups accessible is important in order to reduce IT issues. A managed service provider can provide peace of mind by keeping your data secure and your technology up to date.
3. Handle remote office IT
The pandemic has forced businesses to embrace remote work. An MSP, can you help ensure that your employees can easily work from home. From security to collaboration and communication tools and helpdesk support, an MSP can help improve productivity and provide much-needed flexibility.
4. Tap into cloud solutions
The push to cloud infrastructure and applications can also be a reason to consider managed services for your business. A key benefit in using cloud allows for the workforce to work in a hybrid model. This allows for flexibility to access corporate data while the workforce can work from anywhere.
5. Gain access to IT expertise
If you don’t have an in-house IT staff, you probably devote part of your time resolving tech problems. Or maybe your IT department is understaffed? This can result in a lack of expertise, meaning not every area of IT is covered.
6. Cost savings over in-house IT
If you find your IT costs vary widely each month preventing you from making a proper budget plan, then when something goes wrong you must pay high troubleshooting charges. Many companies look at utilizing a managed service provider as an expense but having a wide variety of IT expertise available can be a beneficial investment.
7. Better uptime
By relying on an internal computer-savvy team member, your infrastructure is weakened, causing your business to run slower than it should. An MSP can implement and monitor important processes your business relies on and foresee/correct issues before they cause any downtime.
Is it Cost-Effective?
Yes! Managed IT services allow you to focus on core projects, instead of the day-to-day operations. This saves money in the long run, and additionally, managed services cost less than an in-house team while offering the same or more expertise.
So, what happens when your business grows and you’re struggling with IT? Well, an MSP can help. From the smallest, discrete technology need to the full range of IT demands, an MSP grows with you.
Have you considered the benefits of managed services?