Every business, no matter the size, needs reliable IT services to keep their technology running smoothly. Even a minute of downtime can mean lost business, so it’s important to have an IT team you can trust. But sometimes, an in-house IT department just isn’t feasible. This is where managed IT services providers like Strategy IT come in. Managed service providers (MSPs) work with your business to handle all your IT services and provide support when necessary. This kind of IT team isn’t just convenient, it is a must for all businesses. Expert MSPs can save you time and money as well as prepare your operations for future expansion and technology. Continue reading to learn how working with a managed IT services provider benefits small to medium sized businesses and provides security as well as peace of mind.
Cost-Effective Solutions
While it may seem expensive to hire a managed IT services provider, it is a far more cost-effective option than paying for an in-house department. Hiring your own IT team does have its perks, but it forces you to pay for their salaries and training which can quickly add up. MSPs on the other hand typically work with businesses for a monthly fee which is typically less expensive than maintaining an in-house team. In fact, some MSPs like Strategy IT provide an entire team of IT experts for the less than the price you’d pay to keep one IT team member on your staff. Managed IT services providers will also come equipped with all the tools they need to aid your operations, so you don’t have to make those additional purchases. Instead, you pay a fixed fee and control what kind of IT support you receive.
Proactive Management
Modern businesses rely on technology. If that technology fails, businesses become unable to serve their customers while they scramble to get their systems back online. A managed IT services provider helps prevent the disaster of downtime from happening through proactive management and maintenance. To accomplish this, your MSP will continuously monitor all your IT systems for any inefficiencies. Catching these potential issues early and preventing their escalation is what managed IT services providers are meant to do. MSPs accomplish this by performing preventative maintenance like upgrading, patching, and replacing systems and hardware before they start exhibiting serious problems that disrupt your daily operations.
Business Continuity Plans
Managed IT services providers don’t just help prevent potential issues, they also come up with plans for if something does go wrong. It is vital that your business has a continuity plan in place to ensure it can recover after any kind of disaster. In terms of IT, this means that your systems can recover quickly after power is lost or that your support team can arrive quickly to fix the issue. A managed IT services provider will also ensure that your important data is backed up so even if the original information is lost you can continue to work. Without these measures in place, you risk prolonged downtime or business failure since it would be nearly impossible to recover from losing all your important data without a backup.
Improved Cybersecurity
The last thing you want to do is take a risk with your cybersecurity. You need a professional managed IT services provider who can protect your business and its sensitive data from cybercriminals. According to the Cost of a Data Breach Report, data breaches cost businesses $4.88 million in 2024, making it more important now than ever to boost your cybersecurity efforts. Managed IT services providers don’t just monitor your IT equipment for inefficiencies, they also watch out for suspicious activity and potential cyberthreats. Whether your business is facing a cyberattack, malware, or a data breach, an MSP can help stop these threats in their tracks by employing the latest security protocols and keeping your systems up to date. And if a breach does occur, your MSP will be immediately notified so they can act swiftly and mitigate any damage.
Scalable IT Services
Your business is always growing, which means your IT infrastructure should too. A managed IT services provider can help with this by scaling your resources to meet your changing needs. This could look like increasing data storage, utilizing cloud-based applications, or expanding your IT network. A flexible MSP is able to update your current plan to fit your needs without requiring costly upgrades. Businesses need to find an IT partner who can grow with them and still provide services within their budget.
Looking for a Better Way to Protect Your Business?
An expert managed IT services provider should keep your infrastructure running smoothly while also keeping it safe. Whether you have an MSP or in-house IT team, there are steps your business can take to improve your cybersecurity. Sign up for our weekly e-course to get free tips on how you can defend against cyberattacks and keep your business secure.
