Monthly Archives: March 2019

managed IT support services

These Are the Tasks That Managed IT Support Services Can Do for You

More and more business owners are beginning to see the benefits offered by managed IT service providers. In fact, up to 77 percent of businesses are now using these professionals for at least one service.

While this is true, there are still a large number of business owners who have not reaped the benefits these services have to offer.

Getting to know more about managed IT support services is the best way to see why investing in them is such a good idea.

What are Managed IT Support Services?

Before diving into the various services offered by a managed IT service provider, it is a good idea to learn more about what these are.

Managed IT services typically cover a range of different business functions. Some of the services you may see include:

  • Network and application management
  • Backup and recovery solutions
  • Printer and workstation management

One of the most common ways that managed IT services are used by small businesses today is in cloud computing. However, security is also a popular service option.

Benefits of Using Managed IT Services

Some of the specific benefits offered by using managed IT services include:

Access to Expertise

This is especially important for smaller businesses. With these solutions in place, they can outsource expertise and knowledge, which can be a huge help.

They also have on-demand technical support at any time of day or night.

Predictable Costs

Instead of having to cover large expenses for IT problems, businesses using a managed service provider can pay a single monthly fee. While the fee is going to vary based on the services provided, it’s typically an affordable rate even for small businesses.

Upgrades and Maintenance

With this service provider in place, your business doesn’t have to worry about whether or not their software is current and up-to-date. All of this will be taken care of by their provider.

You will also have access to newer technologies that your business may not have been able to access or afford alone.

Time Savings

When you outsource managed services, it will reduce the amount of time your in-house department has to spend on it. This allows them to focus on their core responsibilities, increasing productivity significantly.

Keep reading to learn more about the specific services offered by a managed IT service provider.

Managed IT Services

If you are considering investing in managed IT services, some of the most common you will encounter are listed and explained here.

Managed Networks and Infrastructure

This helps to reduce the cost of operating and owning a data center. Instead, you use the managed IT service provider by entering a contract with the company.

This service provides you with managed hosting solutions, managed storage backup, LANs and WANs.

System Monitoring

Managed network along with system monitoring are also offered by managed IT service providers. By using this sophisticated system monitoring software, important information that’s relayed includes downtime, lost customers, inaccessibility, interruptions, and lost productivity.

Monitoring this information is something that’s extremely hard for most businesses to achieve. This is when managed services can be invaluable.

Some of the components monitored include (but aren’t limited to) uptime of critical applications, performance quality, and databases.

Managed Security Solutions

This provides remote security within an organization. Some of the services include protection from ransomware, malware, and anti-virus protection.

With these things being done remotely, upgrades are able to happen on-time and seamlessly. This ensures protection from any threats that may be lingering.

System Design and Solutions

System design is both time-consuming and hectic for the majority of business owners. Having a team to manage this is going to guarantee that the business maintains a well-analyzed and proper system designed for optimal output and productivity.

Managed service providers offer clients solutions and maintenance for their systems once they are contracted.

Managed Communication Services

Communication is a crucial factor for any business. Having the right communication systems in place is absolutely essential for a business that operates properly.

Some of the communication help that managed IT service providers offer includes video, voice, and data communication. They also provide the use of a managed call center.

Virtualization Solutions

Virtualization is a managed IT service that offers a logical picture of the operation of computer hardware systems, along with running software. This allows for the modification of computer options to suit business needs.

With virtualization solutions, you gain the ability to multitask and run various operating systems at once. Additionally, you can operate heavy programs on the same machine. This is a service that offers server consolidation, which saves money by reducing the types of servers being used.

It can also help to promote business agility.

Should You Invest in Managed IT Services?

The question of whether or not your business should use managed IT support services is one you will have to decide on your own. However, as you can see, there are a wide array of services that can prove beneficial to your company and overall productivity.

Remember, if you decide to use these services, it is a good idea to do plenty of research to find the right company for the job. The right company is going to provide the services and solutions you need, along with many you may not have realized you require.

If you found the information here beneficial and need more information about IT services, be sure to contact us right away. We can help in the creation of a custom IT services plan that provides the solutions your business needs for success and superior levels of productivity.

managed IT services

10 Surprising Ways Managed IT Services Can Improve Your Business

Keeping your IT systems in-house is like throwing away money.

That’s if you believe the statistics, anyway. Apparently, managed service providers (MSPs) can slash your annual company costs by as much as 40%. Think about what you could do with those savings!

For some companies, that’s reason enough to consider outsourcing their IT operations.

Some people require more convincing though. Well, the good news is that managed IT services benefit businesses in all manner of other ways too. The advantages don’t stop at financial gain. Far from it, in fact.

Want to know how else you stand to gain from moving your in-house operations?

Keep reading to find out 10 ways managed IT services will improve your business.

What’s a Managed IT Service?

First, let’s consider what we mean this term.

It’s nice and easy. Essentially, managed IT services like ours (otherwise known as managed service providers, or MSPs) are third-party providers that take on the responsibility of your operations.

You essentially outsource your IT to a third party organization.

10 Ways MSPs Improve Your Business

Here are 10 ways of employing a managed IT service provider can benefit your business.

1. Punch Above Your Weight

Small businesses can rarely compete directly with the IT capabilities of the behemoths in their industries.

They simply have far greater resources to call upon.

The difficulty is that small businesses must confront many of the same IT obstacles. Just without the means to do so. Employing an MSP helps to level the playing field. Suddenly, your business has access to similar levels of IT support as the big boys.

2. Saves You Money and Time

Every business should look to take action that saves money and time.

Using a managed IT service does just that.

You exchange the unpredictable (and often excessive) costs of in-house IT teams for fixed monthly payments. You’ll know that in-house teams aren’t cheap.

Recruitment, training, and salaries cost significant sums of money. IT products and new IT technology do too. And what about network problems, downtime and so on. Your finances take a hit.

MSPs remove many of these expenses and free your time up. Your business becomes more cost-effective.

3. Round the Clock Support

What happens if you have a tech issue at 2 am in the morning?

There’s no in-house team to sort it out. You could be out of action for hours. It might be hours before you even know there’s an issue!

Remove the stress and potential for problems with an MSP. They’re monitoring your systems 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

4. Restored Focus on Core Tasks

IT considerations and issues can detract from your core tasks.

Small businesses can suffer the most. With limited resources to apply to the plethora of jobs to do, any problems have a significant impact. Similarly, you may have a severe dislike of IT and detest having to allocate resources to it!

A managed IT service means you no longer have to worry about all that. You can place your focus back on your primary business objectives.

5. No Need for Vendor Engagement

You might lack technical IT knowledge.

When that’s the case, it can be harder to ensure the hardware and software you purchase from vendors is fit for purpose. Using an MSP removes this hurdle.

They’ll do the legwork, and have the tech conversations, so you don’t have to.

6. Downtime is Minimized

Your business can’t afford downtime.

Every second you aren’t fully operational is money lost. Using a managed IT service provider minimizes the likelihood of this being an issue.

That’s because potential risks are being monitors around the clock. Issues are dealt with by the experts before they actually become a real problem.

7. Centralized Systems

A managed IT provider will take your servers and IT systems into one central data center.

There are many benefits to this. It’s secure, you can access your company data more easily, and operational speeds will improve.

8. Ongoing Expert Support

You can rely on your MSP to provide the highest quality expert support.

They’d be out of business themselves if they didn’t. This is their sole purpose: to keep your business’ IT systems running safely and properly.

Likewise, these experts will get to know your business inside and out over time. The quality of service will only improve.

9. Less Risk to Take On

Any business carries risk.

There are forever new pieces of legislation to think about and take into account. Using an MSP means removes some of the risks. It’s their job to stay on top of changes to legislation and tech that might impact your business.

You’re less likely to get you and your business into trouble.

10. Added Peace of Mind

All the above stacks up to create greater peace of mind.

Your online security is in the hands of experts. The regulations MSPs must follow safeguard your business from harm. Your data is protected. The experience of MSPs is usually far greater than in-house teams. No downtime means you don’t have to worry about losing income.

You can focus on your business with no worry about your IT situation.

Time to Outsource Your IT

Your business stands to gain in many ways from MSPs.

Remember, outsourcing your IT will help you punch above your weight, and save you time and money. MSPs offer round the clock support and allow your teams to regain focus on their core tasks. MSPs handle all vendor management and help to minimize downtime in your business.

Your systems become centralized too, which speeds everything up and leads to greater access to your data. You build an ongoing partnership with expert technicians and limit the risks you take on with your IT. Finally, you gain added peace of mind all round!

Hopefully, we’ve convinced you of the many benefits offered by managed tech services!

Are you looking for support with your business’ tech and marketing? Contact us today to learn how we can help.