The use of technology within businesses today is at an all-time high. Despite this, studies show that 55% of small to medium businesses are not reaping the full benefits of their technology. Outsourcing IT has been linked to increased productivity, performance and client satisfaction. As a result, many SMBs are turning to Managed IT Services instead of relying on in-house IT employees.
What is “Managed IT Services”?
“Managed Services” is a broad term that refers to IT services provided to your business by a third party. Managed IT Service Providers, like Insight IT, remotely monitor and manage your IT infrastructure and end-user programs as well as proactively resolve issues with your systems.
The benefits of using Managed IT Services:
Low and predictable costs
For start-ups and SMBs that are attempting to reduce spending, the subscription model offered by Managed IT Service Providers is more favourable compared to the volatility of expenses incurred by an in-house IT support team.
The use of an in-house IT team requires significantly higher costs from training and equipment purchases to upgrades and maintenance. In addition, the business must deal with unexpected expenses of malfunctioning equipment and IT employee turnover. Surges in IT spending can paralyze smaller businesses and interfere with day-to-day operations, especially if the in-house IT staff are not adequately trained. In contrast, Managed Service Providers are not only able to handle IT-related issues faster, but they also involve a controlled monthly cost that can be easily tracked and managed. This allows businesses to budget more effectively since they only pay for what they use when they need it.
Qualified and accessible support
With Managed IT Services, clients have access to a complete IT toolbox at their fingertips. In-house IT support teams, on the other hand, often lack the knowledge that comes with working for a diverse group of clients.
Leading Managed IT Service Providers have a wealth of experience in handling a wide range of IT-related tasks. One major benefit that comes from this level of expertise, is quick response times. Because most of your technology can be managed remotely, problems can be promptly detected and resolved, before the user even notices. If the issues cannot be handled remotely, a technician will be sent on-site in a timely manner. This means that downtime remains at a minimum for your business, allowing employees to focus on core business objectives.
Increase productivity and performance
In this time of fierce competition, businesses must constantly find new ways to grow and innovate. One major approach is to leverage modern technologies that optimise productivity and performance, such as cloud computing, hosted email, and video conferencing. Many businesses, however, lack the capacity to research, develop and implement these technologies.
Outsourcing your IT strategy to a Managed IT Service provider allows your business to quickly adopt new technologies without the risk of disruption and downtime. Managed IT Services offer a seamless transition that is both time and cost-efficient. They take care of every stage of the process, from set-up, onboarding and user training to monitoring, management and troubleshooting. This also frees up your internal resources so you can focus on what matters most – staying relevant within your industry and standing out from competitors.
Improve security and compliance
As hackers, viruses and malware evolve to become less detectable, businesses today are increasingly vulnerable to security breaches. According to recent reports, a shocking 45% of Australian companies have fallen victim to cybercrime in the last two years.
Fortunately, Managed IT Service Providers have studied and dealt with numerous cyber-attacks and are familiar with their techniques. This allows them to resolve security issues more efficiently to minimise risks to your business. In addition, by outsourcing a qualified Managed IT Service Provider that adheres to PCI compliance standards, you can ensure that client data, credit card details and other sensitive information stays protected.
In summary
Managed IT Service Providers like Insight IT give you peace of mind knowing that your technology is being taken care of by experienced IT professionals. By taking a proactive approach towards your IT and resolving problems before they occur, we can help your business mitigate risks and reduce costs. Insight IT also offers end-to-end IT solutions that are tailored to the needs of your business. Contact us or explore our website to find out more about the specific IT services we provide.