As a small business, you might suddenly find yourself in need of IT services, but don’t have anyone on the team to help out. You probably don’t see the value in hiring an in-house IT support team, but have you considered external managed IT services? In this article we go over everything you need to know about managed IT services, including why small businesses should utilise the service.
So, why do you need managed IT services? Managed IT services are the perfect solution for small businesses that can’t justify hiring IT support, but still need IT support. Managed IT services can help you resolve issues before they have a chance to impact the day-to-day operations of your business, helping to keep things running smoothly.
Read on to learn more about why your business needs an external managed IT support service.
Do I Need a Managed IT Service Provider?
As a small business, it’s unlikely that you have internal IT support, but you’re still going to periodically need IT services and support. An external managed IT service provider is the perfect solution; you don’t need to pay the steep fee of hiring a dedicated IT professional, but still receive all the benefits as if you did.
However, some businesses will need more support than others. If you heavily rely on technology and/or the internet for your day-to-day operations, it might be a good idea to consider a managed IT service.
Who Uses MSPs?
All businesses can make good use of managed service providers, but small businesses and start-ups can especially benefit from such services, with little capability of hiring IT services in-house. Larger businesses do often opt to hire an external service provider also for reasons such as cost, value, productivity, and in-house skills shortages.
What is Included in Managed IT Services?
Managed IT services can be set up to include all of, or just some of, your IT service needs. However, you will usually have the option of one or more of the following services:
- Network monitoring and maintenance
- Network security
- Connectivity
- Data storage
- Installations, upgrades, and maintenance of both hardware and software
- Performance monitoring
- Help desk support
Some service providers will provide further services, whilst others will have a more limited offering. Make sure to request a consultation with any potential providers to check that they can indeed provide everything you need to keep your business running smoothly.
What Are the Benefits of Managed IT Services?
There are a wide range of benefits associated with managed IT services, these include, but are not limited to:
Predictable & Scalable
Investing in in-house IT services can be costly and unpredictable if something goes wrong. With managed IT services, however, you have a predictable monthly cost that is scalable as your business and/or requirements grow.
Cost-Effective
A managed IT service provider is far more cost-efficient than hiring an in-house IT professional when you’re a small business. Not only would you have to pay their salary, you also have to consider any benefits, bonuses, training costs and the time they need to become familiar with your business. You also need to consider the costs of when things go wrong – everything is on you and your in-house team to fix it, even if they don’t have the skills to do so.
Faster Response Time
If your business is heavily reliant on your technology and/or the internet, unexpected downtime can be costly. A managed IT service provider can help your business get back on track quickly and many offer round the clock support.
Expertise & Experience
If you choose to hire an in-house IT professional, you will either have to shell out for an experienced professional, or take the cheaper option of hiring a graduate or a junior. With managed IT service providers, you’re guaranteed expertise, experience, and specific skill sets to help you stay on top of your IT needs
Proactive Monitoring
Some managed IT services will also provide you with proactive monitoring of your technology, systems, and network, helping to spot any issues before they become serious.
Security
A managed IT service provider can help to reduce risks related to IT and online security by ensuring that your technology, systems, and network are sufficiently protected.
Are Managed IT Systems Worth it?
Managed IT systems are more than worth it for businesses that can justify having an internal IT support team/technician, for whatever reason. If, after reading this article, you still need to ask whether or not a managed IT service provider is worth it, consider how much your systems being down will cost your business, and if you have the capabilities in-house to get them back up and running in good time.
Managed IT Support Services in Leeds
777 Networks provides managed IT support services in Leeds and across the UK. Our managed IT support services and plans are tailored to the specific needs and challenges of your organisation, complimenting the skills of your existing team. Get in touch with us today to discuss your business needs, and to see how we can help. For those that need it, we also provide server support, and a range of other IT services.
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