“Remember that time is money.” Although Ben Franklin said this in 1748 it still remains relevant today, especially in the business world. When putting a monetary measurement on an employee’s time, wasted time means wasted money. With that in mind, do you feel like time is wasted in your IT department? If so, the solution could very well be Managed IT Services. For example, custom software development in USA.
What are Managed IT Services?
Managed IT services are delivered by managed service providers (MSP), a form of outsourcing in which a third-party MSP is hired to carry out one or more of a company’s IT needs. Traditionally these providers are tasked with managing, updating, and monitoring IT services remotely, as per a contractual agreement.
Why do you need to hire an MSP?
According to a report led by CompTIA, 64% of organizations are using managed services for at least one IT function. So why is this? Well, there are many factors fueling companies to adopt these services, such as reduced costs, improved security, predictable pricing, a lack of internal IT, and better uptime. The flexibility of what an MSP can offer is almost limitless.
Hiring a service provider doesn’t always mean replacing existing IT department employees. In fact, in that same study by CompTIA, it was stated that only 6% of companies utilizing managed services eliminated their in-house IT staff. The benefits of these third party services can be tailored as a subset of existing IT services, allowing the internal IT department some freedom to then focus on strategic projects. It is a cohesive partnership that has the ability to supervise more than just email hosting or customer relationship management.
Selecting an MSP
Now that we have established what an MSP is and why you need it, it is time to take what you learned and implement it—but how? Here are some tips that you should use when choosing your provider:
Think about your business needs and requirements
Know what your company needs in terms of IT. Email hosting, storage, middleware, and help desk are just a few things that your company may or may not need from an MSP. It’s important to know what you need and then what it is that you want in order to streamline your business. Remember, pricing should be based only on what you need and never charged for services that do not make the cut. Stay away from companies with cookie cutter packages. The right MSP Company should offer a flexible package that fits around you and your business goals.
Do your research and choose your provider carefully
Researching companies has never been easier. Make sure you are choosing a qualified, reliable, and trustworthy company. You should come to understand how long they have been in business and what their core values are. Depending on the industry, it’s important to find out if they are compliant with your organization’s standards.
Remember security is key and have a backup plan
How important is your data? That is what we have to ask ourselves due to the growing threat of cybersecurity. To get the most out of your managed service providers make sure you have a clear backup and disaster recovery strategy. This insures that all of your data is backed up in the case any issues arise. Also, work with your provider step-by-step to have a plan that is both transparent and tested.
Partnering with the right managed service provider will save your business money, improve your stream of revenue, and add a strategic extension to your IT staff.