Business owners often focus on their company’s core operations, paying little attention to their IT infrastructure. This reduces productivity and disrupts operations as there will be regular system downtimes. A lack of IT infrastructure management can also cause customer dissatisfaction because employees cannot adequately serve their needs.
Hiring a team of IT support personnel to work full-time might strain the company’s budget and divert resources they can spend on other crucial parts of the business. However, an ideal solution will be to partner with a third-party company that offers managed IT services.
What are Managed IT Services?
Managed IT Services are IT functions outsourced by third-party companies to reduce employee workload. These services include but are not limited to server management, remote monitoring, cybersecurity protections, and the management and maintenance of IT-related devices.
Businesses consult managed IT service providers to discuss their unique needs and define their scope of operations before entering a partnership agreement. Once a deal is closed, the service provider will dedicate a team of computer experts to manage the IT systems as agreed. These experts will create response plans for cyber attacks and network downtime to resolve these problems before they disrupt operations. They will also conduct disaster recovery and provide technical support when needed.
Companies partner with Managed IT Service providers like SpectrumWise to reduce operational costs, streamline IT management, and increase productivity. SpectrumWise offers its managed IT services to companies in Greenville, South Carolina, and it helps them keep their operations running smoothly.
Does Your Business Need Managed IT Services?
You need managed IT services if your business needs computers, internet, and other devices for its operations. This is because these entities need regular monitoring and maintenance. Directing some of your employees to handle routine IT functions can waste human resources because it draws their attention from the core business activities. However, managed IT services let you use your workforce more efficiently and give you access to computer experts trained to handle routine IT tasks.
Here are some benefits of outsourcing your IT functions to a third-party company:
Cybersecurity
Online security protection is one of the core functions of a managed IT service provider. They have cybersecurity experts to examine your organization’s security posture and suggest necessary changes. These experts will also monitor your company network 24/7 to detect unauthorized access and suspicious activity. Whenever they detect malicious activity, they will immediately implement mitigation measures to resolve it. Afterwards, they will create a report on this activity and use it to prevent a recurrence.
Save recruitment cost
Searching the job market for talented and reliable IT personnel is expensive. Outsourcing IT functions to a third party will help you save money on recruitment since the service provider will have teams of IT specialists. Retaining the service costs a monthly fee more affordable than paying in-house staff to manage the IT services full-time. You will also not need to offer benefits or paid time off, as you would to regular employees.
No need to train IT personnel
Outsourcing IT services to a third-party company will eliminate the need to employ and train IT personnel. This will help you save the money you would have otherwise spent on conducting training programs. It will also shorten the onboarding process because the managed IT service providers will have personnel that already understand their roles.
Access to seasoned IT specialists
The IT specialists assigned to your company will have the expertise and experience necessary to conduct their required duties diligently. You will have little cause for complaints and not have to micromanage them. This means your IT infrastructure will be safe while you focus on other parts of the business that need your attention.
Timely assistance
The IT personnel overseeing your IT infrastructure will quickly respond to any issue. This will reduce system downtime and ensure your employees stay productive. Consistent productivity will increase revenue and allow your business to grow. Timely responses to problems will also stop them from escalating.
24/7 support
Managed IT service providers will monitor your business IT infrastructure round the clock once you have an active contract. This means they will deal with all issues whenever they arise, even at midnight. This 24/7 activity reduces the likelihood of prolonged system downtime, which increases customer satisfaction.
Proactive maintenance
The IT support team from the third-party company will create a maintenance schedule to inspect all the components of your IT infrastructure to detect anything out of the ordinary. This proactive maintenance will prevent the unexpected breakdown of any component that can lead to business disruption.
Choosing the Right Managed IT Service Provider
There are many managed IT service providers, but here are some tips to help you pick the right one for your business:
Outline your IT service needs
Every business has its unique IT infrastructure setup and what they plan to achieve by outsourcing part of its management to a third party. Outline your business goals and IT needs, and find service companies that offer all the required services.
Seek recommendations
Reach out to fellow business owners for recommendations on a reliable managed IT service company. If a business owner is too willing to vouch for a service provider, they are worth a try.
Compare their service offerings with price
The cost of contracting a managed IT service provider is a significant determinant when choosing the right company to work with. Compare the service offerings of all the third-party companies on your shortlist and consider their monthly fees. The company that offers the most value for money should be your top choice.
Read their reviews
Go online and search for reviews on the service provider you are considering. If they are mostly positive, book a meeting with them. If they are mostly negative, pick the next best company on your shortlist and repeat the process until you find a suitable choice.
Endnote
Managed IT service keeps businesses running smoothly and increases productivity. It also reduces instances of system downtime and frees employees to focus on core operations. Businesses that have a modest budget and a handful of employees should consider outsourcing their IT services to third-party service providers. It will help them save money, prevent cyber attacks, and increase customer satisfaction.