In today’s technology-driven world, many in-house IT departments are stretched thinly. While IT directors would like to focus on critical aspects related to their organization’s growth and strategic vision, taking care of the day-to-day technology needs of a company, regardless of its size, can be all-consuming. It’s a full-time job to keep all aspects operating at peak efficiencies, and still dedicate resources to user support and maintenance. Here are the key benefits of hiring a managed services provider, commonly referred to as an MSP.
Top Benefits of Hiring a Managed Services Provider (MSP)
MSPs are utilized to help streamline network management, deploy more curated user help desk experiences, and provide a centralized security operation center (SOC) to ensure secure network environments. Most MSPs provide IT services and support through cloud-based software on a remote basis, but some MSPs like Global CTI also offer on-site technical support when needed. The MSP continuously runs software to monitor existing systems, along with providing quick response troubleshooting and repair services should something be flagged in the system.
Regardless of a company’s size or industry, here are a few key benefits of hiring a managed services provider (MSP):
Expert IT Professionals
Even with an in-house IT team, companies can quickly outgrow the team’s capacity in terms of work volume or knowledge of newer, more complex IT infrastructure and cloud applications. Some need specialized skill sets that take time to train and learn about, which isn’t always an option. Choose to partner with an MSP with experience in integrating and implementing business software. This reduces onboarding and implementation time and saves the internal IT team from lengthy training sessions that take them away from operations. Most MSPs such as Global CTI offer staff training and should be willing to work as partners to provide wraparound support designed around the company’s needs and internal capabilities.
Proactive Support
An MSP must be focused on keeping a company’s systems up and running to ensure business success. This should result in improved productivity, greater efficiencies, and a much faster help desk response for network users. When it comes to user support and system maintenance, traditional in-house IT staff are pulled in too many directions to do anything but respond to help tickets and triage based on severity. MSPs are geared to monitor and quickly address situations that may prove damaging to the entire business network and take immediate steps to ensure a crisis is mitigated. Along with real 24/7 support, this provides users access to help quickly without disrupting the internal team’s momentum on other projects.
360-degree Services
Choose a MSP who can deliver a holistic approach to your network. This means a provider offers services and solutions that address monitoring, managing, securing and backing up the entire IT infrastructure. Ask if the MSP subcontracts for any services other than storage solutions. If the MSP offers true 360-degree bundled services, a company can estimate a manageable monthly expense that saves its internal IT team time, while significantly improving the company’s digital security.
Reduced Costs
While many vendors are seen as necessary expense items, MSPs can actually save company personnel and consulting costs over time. MSP services are typically less expensive compared to in-house staff with full benefit packages. Staff training is reduced; most MSPs handle integrations and implementations so training is limited to maintenance and user support if the company deems it necessary to manage anything in-house. MSPs also proactively offer upgrades and recommendations on new, more efficient and secure technologies, which deliver IT services along with value-enhancing solutions as part of the on-going partnership.
Future-proof Services
One of the key benefits of hiring a managed services provider is feeling confident that automatic upgrades and regular security patches are routinely taken care of. Combined with real-time assistance, this means the company’s network is future-proof, and running off the most secure and stable platforms at all times. Most reliable MSPs offer uptime guarantees to keep retain and grow a business’s competitive edge. This could include backup data and recovery best practices (BDR), which you can read about here.
Centralized Applications & Privacy
An MSP may host company data and business apps from remote places, using a virtual server environment. This virtual environment should comply with international standards for privacy and security. If a fire or flood occurs at the physical company location, all confidential corporate data is secure in a remote facility. The critical goal is to ensure business continuity under any circumstances. All sorts of businesses need to remain compliant with prevalent industry-specific standards. This is not easy in today’s challenging and ever-changing scenario. When you outsource IT requirements to managed IT services provider, it becomes easier for your company to adhere to all the regulations related to privacy and data security. The service provider also offers on-demand audit and SOC (Security Operation Center) services to ensure that your IT system is secure.
High Scalability
Even if you have in-house IT resources and excellent digital infrastructure, the benefits of high scalability using an MSP are there. With managed services, you can easily scale up your company’s digital capabilities in line with the growth of your business. You can choose pay-as-you-go plans so that you can increase the ability of IT solutions based on need, rather than hire FTEs.
Improve ROI
Managed IT services play a vital role in leveraging the power of advancing technology for SMBs. Advantageous partnerships drive ROI for the company as well as leverage maximum expertise across new technologies. As the customer, you are always in charge but with the backup and support of a partner that is there proactively, 24/7 whenever they are needed.