Managed IT Services For Small Businesses Can Help with Support, Security, And Cost Optimization

Every modern business has ongoing IT tasks that require regular monitoring and maintenance. There are things that become a part of IT operations- equipment that needs to be taken care of, cyber security measures that need to be maintained, and applications that need to be hosted. While many are familiar with the in-house IT managed services support, not many know what an external IT service team can bring for their business. 

An internal IT department consists of one or more professionals who know the skills of network administration, hardware & software installation, and troubleshooting technical issues. Unsurprisingly, not every business has the resources to manage those tasks internally. That's when outsourcing comes into role play.

What Are Managed IT Services For Small Business?

Managed IT support services are the ones that a company gets from outsourcing certain IT functions to a provider who is an external source. A managed service provider (MSP) comprises IT professionals, which is much bigger than a small business’s IT department.

A managed IT service provider possesses a wide range of knowledge and expertise. Moreover, it reduces in-house overhead costs, boosts efficiency, and improves uptime management. The team does not work on-site at your business but remotely. 

How To Find The Right Managed IT Services Provider?

Companies as small as a startup to as large as a Fortune 500 need IT managed security services. When looking for providers of managed IT services for small business or large-scale business, there are a few things that need to be considered. Let us look at the factors so that you can make a smart choice in times to come. 

1. Experience

The more the experience of the managed IT service provider, the better. A company with a lot of experience brings in more knowledge and skills. In simpler words, an experienced team possesses the required knowledge of a business’ intricacies. 

Every industry is unique and has different ways of maneuvering operations. The given fact makes it evident that every business has different degrees of IT requirements, which can be met only by a provider with a proven reputation and experience. The only reason behind it is that they can offer uninterrupted services that will suffice the needs.

2. Knowledge & Skills

Choosing the best provider among the IT managed services companies becomes easy if you check for the specific knowledge possessed by the company. It is required because it can bring great results for the companies seeking these services. 

MSPs having high industry knowledge and expertise will be better at understanding how IT impacts several industries like:

• Professional services
• Law firms
• Financial services
• Insurance firms
• Real estate
• Manufacturing

3. Budget

Every company has a set budget to spend on availing managed IT services for small business. Pay close attention to the capacity of the services they can supply in return for a specific amount of money. However, service seekers first need to determine their budget in advance to shortlist the best managed IT service provider.  

Providers should scale with you and have more bandwidth that should match your financial capacity. Look for companies that fall within your budget limit and remove the names that do not meet your limits. 

4. Credibility

Nurturing long-term partnership with the providers of managed IT services for small business depends on the service provider’s credibility. It is essential to work with a company that keeps things transparent and is trustworthy enough to stay as your company’s valued partner for a lifetime. 

Most importantly, considering the service provider’s past record can furnish you with the required information and keep you in a position to make the right decision. 

5. Availability

An IT managed security services provider assigns qualified IT specialists to watch over the company’s IT systems. You can expect round-the-clock IT monitoring and continuous support. Determine the service provider’s service availability and ascertain its proficiency. Checking their availability becomes necessary because the sooner the IT issues are detected, the quicker it gets to troubleshoot them. All of this leads to the prevention of major IT disasters. 

Besides IT monitoring, the service provider must also allow you to access a responsive service desk either through call, email, or chat. An MSP who requires to be consulted multiple times for seeking solutions may land you in a pool of problems in the long run. 

Finding the right partner to keep your IT needs management process sorted will help your business grow to the next level. 

Most Common Types Of Managed IT Services

Diving into the MSP realm, it is wise to understand the most common types of managed IT services for small business. You have to bear in mind that not all providers offer all kinds of services. You may find an MSP who will offer all the below-mentioned services, while another might provide only a handful of them. Additionally, knowing the services provider’s available infrastructure is of utmost importance.

1. Cloud-Based Services

Cloud-based services are IT-based services that are provided over the internet. Businesses need to handle infrastructure needs like computing, software data storage, operating systems, and more.

Consumers seek cloud-based services for storing, sharing, and protecting data. Additional benefits come in the form of fast implementation, uninterrupted access to the content, infrastructure investments, lower facility costs, and more. 

There are various types of cloud-based services:

• Software-as-a-Service

Software is managed by SAAS (Software-as-a-Service) provider and runs on a computer accessed over the internet.

• Infrastructure-as-a-Service

Provided by the IAAS (Infrastructure-as-a-Service) provider over the internet, it comes with elements like security tools, storage, networking, and other elements.

• Platform-as-a-Service

Hardware and software required to operate cloud-based applications are provided by PAAS (Platform-as-a-Service).

2. Managed Networks & Infrastructure

An IT managed services support provider renders assistance for network tasks like managing hosting, establishing LAN, WAPs, and other connections for your business. Additionally, it manages backup and storage options. This eliminates the cost of owning and operating a data center. 

3. Managed Security

Managed security allows for remote security within your organization and also includes anti-virus, malware, ransomware, etc. 

4. Managed Communication Services

Managed communication services offer a range of communication infrastructure like messaging infrastructures, VoIP (voice over internet protocol), data, and video. This service could also mean utilizing a managed data center.

5. Managed Wireless & Mobile Computing

An MSP offers managed wireless and mobile computing to implement wireless connections. This service is highly useful for businesses that fall short of capital to be invested in setting up their own system.

6. Data Analytics

Data analytics encompasses business intelligence to target specific trends and enhance business performance by creating roadmaps. 

7. Managed Print Services

Providers of managed IT services for small businesses provide remote monitoring, updating, and management of an organization’s document management infrastructure.

8. Managed Support Services

Managed support services encompass all services related to IT help, including troubleshooting to dealing with various issues. 

How Do Managed IT Service Providers Work?

When hiring the best among the IT managed services companies, you need to know that you do not relinquish overall managerial control and responsibility for the operations. Thus, you still remain accountable for deciding which services you need to outsource and which ones to manage in-house. 

At the initial stages, the MSP reviews an enterprise’s processes for improving efficiency, lowering risks, and reducing costs. In simple words, the managed IT service provider takes up the most time-consuming, complex, and tedious tasks. Additionally, the service provider also provides support and maintenance services. 

What Do MSPs (Managed IT Service Providers) Do?

Hiring a provider for managed IT services for small business drives cost savings and brings convenience. They review all the current processes, including the payroll process, how you store contracts, and relationship management with suppliers and workers. Further, they find opportunities to maximize savings and reduce costs to maintain company efficiencies. 

A reliable IT managed security services provider handles operations that stay hidden from the customers. The domains that it covers are IT, human resources, vendor management, and procurement. Enterprises pay costs that are predictable and are paid in the form of a fixed monthly fee. This way, companies can prevent unplanned maintenance and repairs from occurring. 

A team of expert managed IT service providers brings top IT knowledge to small and medium-sized businesses that they do not possess. 

Other benefits that it brings are:

1. Better Security

The services offer backup and disaster recovery plans with continuous network monitoring.

2. Comprehensive Monitoring

Enterprises can track all activities by viewing the entire infrastructure in real-time. 

Why Do You Need Managed IT Services For Small Business Now?

In this highly competitive marketplace that we are in, companies need to operate as efficiently as possible to stay competitive and succeed. Choosing managed IT services for small business means you can focus on your core business and prevent from being bogged down by administrative tasks. Moreover, a boost in accuracy, reduced liabilities, and reduced costs can assist you in managing your business smoothly. 

Your organization should get enough time to focus on tasks that will bring more profits and grow your business massively. A managed IT service provider would be a part of your enterprise that will work from the outside but manage its technical intricacies. The team will provide great value and promote your business growth.

Myths About Managed IT Support Services

There are many common myths that embrace managed IT services for small business. Nevertheless, knowing the facts can always steer you in the right direction. Let us have a look at the myths and the facts that hide behind them.

Myth 1: MSPs do not have Business Understanding

Fact: Not every MSP is the same, and most of them have the required business knowledge. The right provider of managed IT services for small business examines the existing infrastructure and workflows to understand the business needs. They can then make specific technology recommendations, and your in-house team can focus on accelerating growth mechanisms. 

Myth 2: Outsourcing to MSP can Cost you Heavily

Fact: Managing IT systems internally can be costly and may extend beyond your budget. On the other hand, looking for the best IT managed services companies and outsourcing to the one that is suitable will reduce your costs and boost efficiency. MSPs bring cost-savings by: 

• Reducing downtime
• Cutting IT infrastructure cost
• Boosting IT team productivity 
• Improving security and prevent cyber attacks

Myth 3: MSPs are Only for Big Organizations

Fact: There is one misconception which states that MSPs are only for enterprise-sized businesses. Nevertheless, the reality is that even small and medium-sized businesses can benefit from hiring IT managed services support. 

Myth 4: Organizations Lose Control of their Own Business

Fact: Enterprises can decide the services they wish to outsource and the ones they wish to manage independently. This will keep your company in control of its functions and authorize someone from your team to keep monitoring the activities. 

Myth 5: MSP is Only for Security Backup

Fact: There is no doubt that backup and disaster recovery are the primary reasons for seeking IT managed services support. However, they are not the only reasons, and the other functions that require MSPs are archiving, networking, application management, and support services. 

Myth 6: Operation Quality Experiences a Downfall

Fact: A competent managed IT service provider stays up to date with the emerging trends, which your in-house team cannot do at all times. Hiring a company that can render managed IT services for small business will bring efficiency to the organization.

Myth 7: Security is a Concern

Fact: Hiring an MSP does not mean that your data will be threatened by attacks. Instead, the top reason companies hire them is the security expertise of the MSPs and their capability to prevent threats from occurring. 

Myth 8: It causes Internal Confusion

Fact: Introduction of new technologies means there will be an adoption period where employees will learn how to make use of it. However, this does not mean that there will be internal confusion provided there is a seamless integration of new methodologies. 

Myth 9: MSPs can't help you Outshine Others

Fact: The market believes in the fact that a managed IT service provider aims to gain more customers. As a result, they provide the same services to every customer, which means no company would be better than the other in any way. But the fact is that outsourcing to a service provider will free up your valuable time and allow you to focus on other productive activities. 

Myth 10: In-house IT team will be Fired

Fact: Hiring an external source to manage IT related functions does not mean that your in-house IT team must be fired. As per a survey, only 6% of companies that hired an MSP fired their in-house IT team. 

Myth 11: Manufacturers’ Warranties are Enough 

Fact: People assume that manufacturers’ warranties are enough and they do not need to hire a third party. Admittedly, managed service providers can detect imminent failures in advance before it impacts the business. 

Myth 12: IT Systems can be Managed Internally

Fact: There is no doubt that modern IT needs can be managed internally, and handling vendors is not a daunting task. Nonetheless, time is extremely valuable. When the given time can be spent on productive activities, then why should the IT leaders invest that time in managing the IT infrastructure. 

Mistakes To Avoid While Choosing A Managed IT Service Provider 

More and more businesses are choosing to hire the most reliable among the best IT managed services companies. Nevertheless, there can be some mistakes that you may commit while choosing the most dependable provider of IT managed services support. Here are a few things to consider that you need to avoid.

1. Choosing the MSP with the Lowest Bid

Planning to settle for the company that offers its services at the lowest price can be troublesome for you. Consider comparing the services of various IT managed services companies to analyze their offers better before you choose the one with the lowest bid. 

2. Thinking all MSPs are the Same

The market is flooded with multiple vendors of managed IT services for small business. However, all of them are not the same and have different resources and tools that suit unique businesses. Moreover, different companies have different levels of knowledge and expertise. Therefore, you must furnish yourself with information about the differences.

3. Proceeding with A la Carte Package

A la carte package gives you the freedom to choose the features you want and discard those you do not want to have. Undoubtedly, the option can be cheaper, but it can put your network at risk. Network management is the interconnection of various functions.

In simple words, you can be exposing your business to hacking if you do not have a fully automated and collaborative system. Connecting with a proficient IT consulting company in New York can provide you with the freedom to identify the difference between two or more service providers.

4. Choosing a Provider that Leaves Technical Fixes to You

The most reliable managed IT service provider interprets the results and extends support to fulfill your business objectives. The service provider must coordinate with your developers and come up with solutions to address security issues. If the provider leaves the fixes to you, then you must know that it is not the right fit for you. 

5. Not Valuing Transparency

It is essential for your business to stay as transparent as possible with your MSP. The reason is it can cost you more money in the long run if you do not keep the communication clear. Consider conveying the right piece of information in the first instance.

6. Choosing an MSP without Checking its Previous Record

Verifying the company’s industry experience and customer service skills by connecting with references to know their feedback.

7. Selecting a Provider that Fails to Respond Timely

Downtime is a critical factor that can affect your business growth. In case you choose an IT managed security services provider who cannot respond timely to downtime, you might end up wasting your time and resources. 

8. Misunderstanding the Contract’s Terms

Decision-makers must ensure that the terms of the agreement are clear and there are no hidden conditions to it. Additionally, the company should also know how to contact the MSP, how the concerns are handled, what actions will trigger additional billing, and who will handle the feedback. 

Why Do Majority Of Companies Choose Managed IT Services?

Businesses need to have solutions up and running to stay ahead of the curve. To keep things streamlined, companies prefer hiring a managed IT service provider. There are a few reasons that maximize the need to hire a provider who can provide support for IT systems support. 

• Managing Expenses

Investing in technology and managing an in-house IT team can never be cheap. Seeking managed IT services for small business is often less expensive, and it gives you immediate access to a pool of experts possessing rich expertise.

• Changing Innovation Trends

Adapting to new technology trends can be overwhelming for in-house IT teams. On the other hand, IT managed services companies keep working towards learning new technology and embracing innovations. 

• Scalability

Scalability is critical for any organization’s growth, and a business that cannot scale up can never sustain itself for long. To fulfill scalability needs, IT managed security services come to the rescue. By hiring an MSP, companies can focus on other productive tasks that can boost their growth. 

• Preventing Losses

No company would like to suffer losses that occurred due to factors that were controllable. When a company opts for IT managed services support, the company plans to prevent or control major losses from occurring. 

Conclusion

Technology has become an indispensable part of modern-day businesses. Admittedly, it is also one of the most burdensome factors that pose numerous risks to an organization’s growth. However, hiring an MSP will not only save money but also save time. 

Identify your needs and the internal IT gaps to hire us and make us work with your organization. If you are looking for managed IT support services, you can always count on us. Thrive in the digital age by just dropping us a line, and we will be there to guide you through the process and answer all your questions. We have an endless list of projects we are proud of and would like to see yours the next in the line. 

What are you waiting for? Seek genuine and highly reliable managed IT support services today for a business whose IT systems are managed with perfection.