7 Ways Managed Services Improve Your Small Business Value

Managed information technology (IT) services are any IT infrastructure, services, or support an outsider offers to your company or business. A Managed IT Service Provider (MSP) provides these services remotely using cloud-based software. 

Today, it's essential for businesses to invest in robust IT infrastructure to help improve the efficiency of their work operation, ensuring that they provide quality products and services that can compete in the market. However, choosing between an in-house IT team and hiring managed IT services can be challenging.  

For starters, while an in-house team can be available on demand, they may need more knowledge of IT services. This would mean that you may have to outsource the work.   

However, small enterprises may have a limited budget for an in–house IT team. Hence, experts recommend leveraging services for Managed IT from Fusion Computing and similar companies. 

If you're wondering how they can add value to your business? Here's how your small business may benefit from an MSP:

1. Helps Save Costs 

It's inevitable for businesses to encounter unexpected IT issues that need immediate fixups. Many small entrepreneurs will only call an IT expert when a problem arises. Such a break-fix approach might seem cheap in the short term. However, if your business encounters IT hitches severally, you may spend a lot of money in the long run.  

If you have a service provider in place, they'll constantly monitor, evaluate, and repair your system when they detect a problem. This means that the fees you pay them will cover even the unexpected costs that may arise. 

You may have to upgrade your IT infrastructure, so you will need to purchase new software and hardware. With managed IT services, once you have paid the provider their fees, any other thing required for your IT infrastructure will be on the provider's bill. It's their work to source the best software and hardware. Therefore, consider choosing an MSP with a 100% uptime guarantee. This will enable you to predict the cost of your business every month.  

Lastly, having an in-house team could confine you to the services they provide only. You'll have to find an alternative expert if they need to be more skilled in a certain area. This translates to extra costs. An MSP allows you to choose from the range of services they provide. The secret is to find a provider that offers a wide range of services.   

On the other hand, if you only need help with a few services, you can also get a service provider that mainly focuses on your specific needs.

2. Enhances IT Security And Compliance  

IT security needs to be at the forefront of your business' priorities, as they can be cyberattacked. All of your business devices that transmit data require strict security measures. They include laptops, smartphones, applications, desktops, operating systems, servers, and wearable technology.   

Managed services will recommend and implement security measures to prevent potential attacks. The professionals will also ensure your devices and backup systems comply with the security measures. Many managed service providers use NAKIVO Backup & Replication, which offers an additional layer of data protection for MSP customers, ensuring a robust and reliable data backup solution to avoid critical data loss. Furthermore, they'll constantly monitor your business' network to detect any risks that could potentially harm your business.   

Regarding compliance audits, MSPs offer regular reports proving your business is compliant, and you will also have great business audit results.  

3. Increases Productivity And Efficiency  

Small network problems can disrupt your and your team member's productivity, significantly affecting your business. For example, if you have an online delivery service company, you will need uninterrupted access to the Internet. If you experience a temporary disruption, you and your employees will need help taking or delivering orders. Managed IT services can help in such scenarios. They can detect and eliminate a roadblock in your network before it affects your business. They can also optimize your network to improve work efficiency.   

Moreover, if you already have a dedicated IT team, they will focus on addressing relevant concerns. However, once you outsource your managed IT services, your team can focus on other productive things that benefit your business. For example, your team won't have to focus on fixing broken internet access because they can redirect their effort into improving or developing new features or business products that can scale the small enterprise.   

4. Ensures 24/7 IT Support  

MSPs are on a full-time basis. The experts monitor services day and night to ensure your company's IT infrastructure is available and functioning well. They use real-time alerts to warn of any security threat. In case of any glitch or threat, they always have someone on call to offer immediate assistance.   

This 24/7 IT support helps ensure that your business data and information is protected and the damage minimized should there be any glitch. IT support also helps to reduce downtime because of system failures. Unexpected downtime can significantly affect end-user experience, resulting in lost prospects and revenue when not resolved promptly. 

5. Assists With The Latest Technology  

Small business owners need to be better versed with the latest technology available. It would be best to keep up with modern technological trends and development. Qualified MSPs will ensure your IT infrastructure is up-to-date and operational.  

6. Allows System Centralization 

Having a centralized system for your business makes it easy to access your company data. Besides, it also facilitates more secure access points.   

Working with an MSP lets you put all your servers and network applications in one place, thus boosting speed and fast access for your employees.   

7. Offers Free Advice From Industry Experts  

Expert advice usually comes at a cost. Usually, you have to pay for consultations. You may not be aware of some of the effective tools for your business. For instance, do you have the proper hardware or software for your business?  

If you have an MSP, you won't have to worry about all these. They will advise you on the best tools you should invest in for your business to prevent losses.  

Conclusion

With managed services, you reduce the cost of establishing and running your IT support in your business. This helps improve cybersecurity, team member productivity, and customer service. These are just some of the benefits of these services. There are more discussed above. You'd first need to find a reliable managed service provider to enjoy the benefits discussed. If you've been wondering if you should hire a managed IT service provider, take this as a sign to help add value to your business.