Sick of wasting valuable time trying to fix outdated computers or wrestling with clunky software when you should be running your company?
Tired of searching for new hardware or software when you’re unsure which products will offer the best value for money?
Managed IT services offer a simple, effective solution for small- and medium-sized businesses.
But what can you expect from a managed service provider (MSP)? And what benefits does working with one offer? Read on to find out.
What are Managed IT Services?
A reliable MSP will take responsibility for your IT infrastructure, issues, and upgrades.
Managed IT services encompass a wide range of solutions, including IT strategy, installing equipment, setting up computer networks, troubleshooting issues, repairing hardware, and procuring the right technologies for your operations.
A good team will provide any maintenance or technical assistance you need, whether it’s a particularly complex problem or something simple.
How Can Managed IT Services Help Small- and Medium-Sized Businesses?
Here are six reasons why managed IT services are right for SMBs:
Get the Ideal Package to Suit Your Specific IT Requirements
When you work with a team of experienced IT specialists, you don’t need to worry about spending time researching the hardware and software necessary to run your business. They will take a comprehensive look at your company, your operations, and your current setup, then create a bespoke plan for you.
That means that you won’t need to pay for services that are of no benefit to you — only those that will help you get more out of your information technology.
Know Exactly How Much Your IT Will Cost You Month to Month
If any of your computers, servers, printers, or other types of hardware you rely on day after day play up, bringing a local expert on-site to fix it can be costly. Recurrent problems could all add up over weeks and months. But even just one serious hiccup with your network or equipment may end up being more expensive than you expect.
The more unforeseen IT expenses you’re faced with, the less you’ll have to channel into other critical areas of your business.
Fortunately, that’s not a problem with managed IT services. You’ll agree a fixed monthly rate with your MSP, with one regular payment covering all of your needs, so you’ll know exactly how much your IT will cost from month to month.
That’s a major advantage for SMBs on a tight budget. You need to account for every cent, and outsourcing your IT to a trusted company will ensure that you never spend more on your hardware or software than you should.
Reinforce Your Business’s Cybersecurity with the Latest Solutions
Improved security is one of the biggest advantages of outsourcing your IT. More than 80% of Canadian companies were affected by cyberattacks within one year, with ransomware recognized as one of the most common threats.
A successful cyberattack can have long-lasting repercussions, potentially causing delays, disruptions, and damage to reputations. It’s crucial that SMBs implement effective cybersecurity measures that minimize their risk of being attacked, but understanding the threats and how to handle them can be tough.
An MSP will take the time to assess your IT infrastructure, your current security, and everything else they need to understand the necessary precautions. Next, they will install the right defences for your business, operations, and budget. You and your team can concentrate on success while an expert team oversees your security 24/7.
Get Expert Support and Assistance from a Skilled IT Team
If you or your team experience IT problems at any time, you can reach out to your MSP for fast, dependable assistance. The best MSPs offer both remote and on-site support to suit different types of technological emergencies.
For instance, employees may run into an issue with a program they use every day and have no idea how to overcome it. They can either waste time trying to figure it out themselves and potentially make it worse, or they can contact their MSP.
If possible, an expert will take steps to fix the problem remotely and help the employee get back on track with minimal delay. In other cases, though, particularly when a problem is caused by hardware, an MSP will send a member of its team to your location to check it in person.
Either way, when you work with an MSP, you know that you’ll always have access to the right people with the right solutions for any IT emergency.
Managed IT Services are Scalable to Accommodate Growth and Streamlining
Have a growth strategy in place and ready to go? That’s great. But you may be worried about the extra hardware and software required to accommodate your expanding workforce, service portfolio, or product catalog.
When you team up with an MSP, they will be able to adjust your managed IT service plan to suit your growth. And you’ll still know exactly what your IT-related costs will amount to each month.
The same applies if you need to streamline your business a little, for any number of reasons. Speak to your provider if your financial situation changes and see what can be done to maintain a high-quality IT setup at a lower cost. They’ll be happy to help.
Leave Your Team Free to Focus on Their Core Tasks
Outsourcing your IT services to a specialist team leaves you and your workforce with more free time to focus on making your business the best it can be. Your MSP will take the strain of building and maintaining an efficient, reliable IT infrastructure on your behalf.
You won’t be distracted by technical problems that go unsolved for months or clunky systems that hinder productivity. Your team will have access to the tools they need to achieve their best.
Find the Right MSP for Your SMB
NETWORTH provides small- and medium-sized businesses with outstanding managed IT services at highly competitive rates.