IT Managed Services: What They Are and Why Your Small Business Definitely Needs Them
If you’re a small business owner, there’s a good chance you don’t have an in-house IT department. That’s okay – most small businesses don’t. But that also means you may be missing out on some important services that could help your business run more smoothly, including services that can help you avoid costly downtime and data loss.
But what exactly are “IT managed services” and why do you need them? Let’s take a look.
What are IT managed services?
IT managed services are a way of outsourcing the entirety of your IT needs to a third-party provider. A whole range of services can fit under this umbrella, ranging from network security to problem remediation. For example, it might include:
- Remote systems monitoring and maintenance
- Helpdesk support for technical problems
- Software updates and patch management
- Data backup and recovery
- Robust security planning and implementation
- Help with planning, purchasing and installing new hardware and software
In short, IT managed services gives you everything you need to keep your technology running smoothly and efficiently. For optimum flexibility, an IT managed services provider (MSP) can act as your sole resource or as an extension of your internal IT team.
Managed IT services versus the “break-fix” model
Traditionally, small businesses dealt with IT problems using the “break-fix” model. This is where, when something breaks, you call a technician to fix it – and pay for their time, plus the cost of any parts or software required every time you call them out.
The problem with the break-fix model is that it’s reactive, rather than proactive. You’re only dealing with problems after they’ve already happened. That can be expensive, both in terms of the cost of repairs and the potential loss of productivity if your systems are down.
With IT managed services, you pay a monthly fee for proactive support and maintenance. Your MSP will constantly monitor your systems for potential problems and address them before they cause any performance issues, which is essential for supporting your daily operations and business growth.
Why do you need IT managed services?
There are a many important reasons why your small business might benefit from IT managed services:
#1: It saves time and money
According to Indeed, the average starting salary for an IT manager is roughly £50,000 per year and that’s just for one team member. When you work with an IT MSP like CNS-IT, you get the support of a full team of technology specialists at a fraction of the cost of building an in-house team. If you’re currently troubleshooting and dealing with staff queries yourself, then outsourcing to an IT MSP can release hours of time so you’re free to work on projects that deliver results for your business.
#2: Your business-critical data is secure and backed up
Data loss is a real risk for any business, but it’s especially dangerous for small businesses who are more at risk of going bust after a data breach. With IT managed services, you can be confident that your data is securely backed up and can be quickly recovered in the event of disaster. Plus, your IT providers will make sure you have the latest security patches and updates installed, as well as help you plan and implement a comprehensive security strategy to keep your business safe from cyber threats.
#3: You remove the headache of compliance
It can be tough to keep up with the ever-changing regulatory landscape such as GDPR and PCI DSS. Fortunately, with IT managed services, you can offload the burden of compliance to your service provider. They’ll make sure you’re always up to date and compliant.
#4: The size of the problem isn’t an issue
One day you might need to configure a laptop for a new employee. The next day, you might have a major server meltdown. With an all-inclusive managed IT services plan, the size of the issue doesn’t matter – you’ll always get the same high level of support. This is the exact opposite of the break-fix model where the bigger the problem, the bigger the price tag, meaning one major problem can seriously harm your cash flow.
#5: It keeps your business running at its best
With IT managed services, you can be sure that you are always recommended the right technology for your needs and that it is running optimally with very little downtime. A reliable MSP will cover a range of services, meaning you can meet all your needs in one place.
Want to learn more about managed IT services?
If you’re ready to take the hassle out of managing your IT infrastructure, we can help. As an expert managed services provider, we have the tools and experience to keep your business running like clockwork while saving you time and money. To learn more about our services, please contact our team today.
CNS IT provide managed IT solutions and support to small and medium sized organisations across North Wales, Cheshire and Wirral.
www.cns-it.co.uk