There is a lot of talk around what appears to be the new IT buzzwords: managed IT services. But, much like any other phrase or words that become popularized, it can take on differing meanings. To be clear, managed IT services is defined as outsourcing specific IT operations to another service provider.
The extent of these operations could include data backup and recovery, security and other infrastructure demands. Regardless of which processes are offloaded, the service provider becomes responsible for providing the continuous monitoring of the systems as well as the onus to resolve any issues that might arise.
Pricing
For a small business, there are many advantages to choosing to have its IT services managed by professional service providers. Pricing is one of the direct benefits. Usually, a subscription model is used for most managed IT service providers. The cost of the package depends on the number of devices being connected.
A service provider should provide your business with an assessment so that you can figure out which package works best for your needs. These services can range from small tasks like sending alerts when there is a problem to more comprehensive packages that include finding solutions to technical issues and taking large-scale preventative measures.
Value
For small businesses that are still wondering what the point of adding managed IT services are, there are plenty. Most notably, the need to compete. As your business grows, you need to expand your resources to maintain your IT infrastructure. Companies today are more reliant than ever on technology to produce services to their clients and internally. Failure to adequately control that technology diminishes its effectiveness and, in turn, reduces its ability to compete.
It is also important to note that any interruption in services can be damaging to your brand. Even large corporations are not immune to the damage a pause in service can cause on their reputation. But for small businesses who do not have millions of customers, any kind of widespread interruption can result in more than just a blemish on their reputation.
Managed IT providers add another layer of security and optimization to your technology that can be scaled to the pace of your company’s growth. They free up space and time for your dedicated IT staff to focus on more pressing projects.
Small businesses need to remember that the real value of managed IT services depends on which specific set of services the company needs. The company decides what services they want to be offloaded and which will help optimize the efficiency of their overall IT department. There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to IT management.
Micro Computer Consulting offers first-class IT support and can act as your IT department. Our technicians are skilled in solving IT problems promptly and can get the job done quickly and accurately. Managed IT is just one of the many IT services we offer. Contact us to see how we can help your small business stay up and running while being cost-effective.
