How Can Managed IT Services Help Your Business

Why should you consider managed IT services?   If you’re like most firms, you have limited resources and it’s critical to invest in personnel and assets that DIRECTLY support the company’s mission.  Additionally, it’s essential to mitigate regulatory and system risks that have the potential to catastrophically impact the business.

Many companies would benefit from utilizing managed IT services in order to ensure they have a solid IT infrastructure and the necessary technical expertise when needed.  A good parallel might be Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC).  In most cases, the system needs ongoing maintenance and may sometimes require immediate attention.  However, few firms have a full time, highly skilled, HVAC specialist on staff.  Instead, they typically purchase preventive maintenance services and utilize a specialist on an as-needed basis.  In doing so, the company can expect greater expertise, better system performance, and lower total cost of ownership.

Along the same lines, managed IT services can provide many benefits to small and midsize business locations. The following are 5 benefits of managed IT that are worth considering.

Peace of Mind

Is your hardware up to date?  Is your data is properly backed up?  Is your critical data secure?  Most companies rely upon a mish-mash of hardware and software to make their businesses run smoothly.  Typically, IT service firms will conduct an initial assessment and then provide recommendations to address identified shortcoming.  Additionally, if contracted, the firms will provide ongoing monitoring of critical hardware and software to ensure business continuity.

By outsourcing IT services to a reputable provider, businesses get the benefit of knowing they’ve retained highly skilled and experienced technicians, their systems are up to date, and that essential IT best practices are being followed.

Reduced IT Costs

One of the primary benefits is a higher level of support at a reduced cost.  When you contract managed IT service, firms usually pay a flat rate for service or purchase a discounted block of hours. In doing this, firms can minimize dedicated on-staff resources that are typically underutilized and often lack required expertise.  In most cases, the net result is improved system(s) performance, better service and an overall reduction in expenses.

For example, in most instances, firms more than offset the outsourced IT service costs through reduced staffing, i.e., recruiting, training, benefits, overtime, etc.   A quality IT service provider will employ highly skilled IT professional(s) ensuring availability when needed vs. maybe having the “right” technical resource available.

Retain a Laser Focus on Your Core Business

IT services are critical, but not necessarily integral to most companies’ mission. Typically, IT services are a necessity that employees, customers, partners, and suppliers expect to “work.”

Rather than focus on IT services, which are typically outside many companies core competency, outsourced IT Services creates additional bandwidth within the company, making them better positioned to focus their attention externally.  Additionally, employees typically experience higher satisfaction levels due to expertise, support availability, and a solid underlying infrastructure.

Managed IT services can free organizations to focus on customers and execution, rather than potentially be distracted by the underlying hardware, software, and IT staffing.

Compliance and Security Services Are Included

Another benefit of managed IT services is ensuring regulatory or other compliance issues are properly addressed.  In many industries, personnel, financial, or customer information is highly regulated.  A managed IT services company will help ensure critical information is secure and retained per regulatory and/or company policies.

In today’s world, businesses cannot afford to take chances with regulatory compliance or cybersecurity. One of the ways to ensure that you stay compliant and take the necessary precautions is to hire a managed IT services firm that is up-to-date with best practices of compliance and security and can ensure that your company STAYS current – thereby reducing the company’s overall risk.

Increased Efficiency

Managed IT services providers handle multiple clients at any given time. Their livelihood depends upon doing it well. To give the best service possible, they have to be thorough and competent but they must also be efficient. When problems arise, they must be addressed expediently. Conversely, in-house IT can easily get bogged down in multiple projects, minor department issues, researching problems, implementations, etc. – leading to poor service levels and higher costs that often get passed on to the consumer.

A good managed IT service provider will do everything in their power to keep your business running smoothly by proactively addressing issues and rapidly responding to problems.

As firms and locations increase in size, in-house IT support may absolutely be the best option. However, many businesses would be well-served by utilizing managed IT services, which keep them running smoothly while improving their bottom line.

If you would like to learn more about what a managed IT services provider can do for you and your company, contact us about our network services for a consultation! DataPro Solutions will be happy to discuss what IT services we can provide for you and your company. Feel free to contact us for more information.