Information technology plays a central role in today’s businesses. Many businesses rely heavily on their IT systems. Any downtime or glitches could result in operational delays, reduced productivity, customer dissatisfaction and ultimately loss of revenue.
While many businesses recognize the importance of their IT systems, not every company has enough resources to hire a full-time, dedicated IT staff that can perform continuous IT management.
As a result, many businesses (particularly small- and medium-sized businesses) resort to Break/Fix approach when it comes to managing their IT systems. They only call an IT professional in case a problem crops up. This reactionary approach focuses on troubleshooting IT problems and tends to be costlier in the long run. While this method may be applicable to some businesses, others may need continuous IT systems management.
Specialists at a managed IT service provider Firewall Technical emphasize that maintaining an IT system requires continuous monitoring of your IT system and assets; implementing updates, and installing and integrating new technologies. Simply troubleshooting or resolving technical issues isn’t a sustainable way of managing IT systems.
Managed IT Services is a cost-effective, proactive and better approach to keeping your technology in check. It is more like outsourcing your IT needs to a contractor. IT specialists will work with your business to implement necessary procedures, processes, and tools that your IT system needs. They also provide continuous monitoring to detect any potential problems or threats. Expert IT professionals would also give you recommendations and updates on how to further improve the performance of your technology.
Signs That Suggests You Need Managed IT Services
So, how do you know if your business needs Managed IT Services? Let’s check out some cases that may where this IT maintenance strategy is appropriate.
1. Your business requires you to focus on operational issues
Businesses that require hands-on supervision on operations would better leave IT matters to a reliable Managed IT Services contractor. The IT team takes full control of your IT infrastructure so you can work on more important business goals. Financial institutions, banks, and lending firms are some examples of businesses that need constant focus.
2. Your business’ IT system deals with frequent downtimes
Managed IT Services is a proactive approach that aims to guarantee efficiency and reliability of your IT infrastructure. Regular and consistent monitoring allows you to react instantly in case of glitches. There always a team of experts on standby and ready to assist in case of technical troubles such as data loss, security breaches, power failures, and other issues that could affect your IT system. Since the service provider is familiar with your IT network, they are able to prevent, as well as troubleshoot, any adverse effects of a downtime situation.
According to a network study report by Emerson.com, unplanned IT network outages lasted 130 minutes and cost businesses nearly one million in lost revenues. With a Managed IT Services, these downtime events can be handled immediately thereby reducing loses and saving your business reputation.
3. Your business is spending too much on IT maintenance
Maintaining an IT system involves costs that include software and network costs, hardware costs, maintenance costs, labor costs, hardware costs, and more. All of these are necessary expenditures to keep your IT network running efficiently. A lot of businesses spend on different providers for each aspect of their IT system. As a result, they’re spending too much.
With Managed IT Services, the service contractor comes up with a quotation that covers everything that you’ll need throughout the contract period. This means you can allot a fixed budget for your IT maintenance. In case of additional costs, you can discuss and negotiate with the IT provider its implementation and payment terms.
If you want to know if you are spending too much on your IT network, you can check your previous year’s expenses on your IT. Then, ask for a quotation from an IT provider. If there is a substantial difference, then you’re at a loss.
4. Your business requires unique IT needs
Managed IT Services can help you come up with an IT roadmap that meets your business goals. They can recommend solutions and technologies that can provide the greatest productivity at a cost that is amenable to your annual budget. What’s great about Managed IT Services is that the relationship is more than just to troubleshoot or maintain, but rather you can discuss your business goals with experts so they can readily assist you on what upgrades can be done.
Furthermore, having a team of IT experts on standby ensures that the technology in place is responsive to the needs of your company, meets standards and regulations, and prepares your network for future growth. What could be better than having specialists you can consult in case of any IT related tasks or projects?
Final Thoughts
These are just some scenarios where working with Managed IT Services is the best route to go. But whether you decide to move forward with an IT Managed Service provider or stick with whatever IT management plan you have in place, what’s important is that your IT plan is responsive to your business goals.
