All businesses are incredibly dependent on their technology and systems working effectively. With IT systems becoming more complex and requiring additional security, having a reliable source managing your tech is imperative. In response, more small and medium companies are joining forces with managed service providers, or MSPs, to support their IT needs.
In this article, you’ll learn what managed service providers are, what services they offer, and what benefits they can provide to your business.
What Are Managed Service Providers?
The phrase “Managed IT Services” is used to describe the list of services offered by information technology companies. A managed service provider is the IT company or vendor that monitors their clients’ network and security infrastructures on an ongoing basis.
MSPs resolve software and hardware device issues, protect against cyberattacks, and fix other IT problems when they arise. MSPs commonly work on networks and servers, computer hardware and software setup and support, data protection, VoIP phone service, risk management, cybersecurity, and any general computer and network-related solutions.
Typically, MSPs can conduct maintenance, diagnostics, and manage systems via secure remote access now. In the past, these providers had to routinely oversee the physical IT hardware in a client's office, but with office applications, such as Microsoft Office and Google Workspace, being cloud based MSPs can solve issues and supervise from afar.
What Are the Benefits of Using Managed Service Providers?
Over the past few years, businesses have started to see more benefits of MSPs besides the traditional cost savings. The advantages will differ depending on the specific company you hire, but we are listing the nine most common benefits of using a managed service provider.
- Savings
For all businesses, cost is a concern across the board. Whether your business is opening a new location, getting new equipment, adding personnel, or hiring vendors, the total expenditure will be a top consideration factor.
Your business will be able to find an MSP that meets your needs and budget, so you can avoid expanding IT staff or supporting a whole IT department. Often MSPs can secure discounts on products and services that you wouldn’t receive when buying through a vendor. Also, the tech professionals can recommend device and software upgrades that fit your business and save time and money.
- Predictable Costs
Another monetary benefit of managed service providers is the predictable costs. When you use an MSP, you typically pay a monthly fee, and with them monitoring your system, you’ll run into fewer unexpected expenses. The experts from MSPs can help you plan and prepare for future costs, such as equipment replacements and any necessary upgrades.
Also, since the MSP keeps your business protected from cybersecurity threats, you’ll dodge the costs that come with ransomware, data breaches, viruses, and other cyberattacks.
- Increased Cybersecurity
Switching to an MSP means your business has a team covering your network security. They will put the security measures in place so that your sensitive data is safe and sound. You can rest easy knowing you’re getting round-the-clock monitoring and protection.
Additionally, MSPs have the knowledge and experience to keep up with cyberattacks, ensure back-ups are available, prevent data breaches, maintain security updates, and combat the inevitable human errors.
- Expertise and Advice
Hiring an MSP means your business has access to their expertise and advice. They can set your business up for success with grander projects like business continuity and cybersecurity but also help you with smaller tech solutions. These professionals can assist you with IT training for employees and finding the best tech and devices for your business.
With their expertise, they can help you save time and money, improve your operations, and make the most out of your tech to enhance your business overall.
- Proactive Approach
Managed service providers offer proactive IT assistance. They ensure your networks, systems, devices, cloud services, and software are up to date to patch holes in security and protect your business.
Their proactive approach helps to prevent emergency crashes, repairs, and threats. That way, your company won’t have to take time away from normal business operations and scramble to fix the sudden problem.
- Reduced Downtime
The continuous managing, improving, and updating that MSPs do reduces the amount of downtime your business will experience over time. Security breaches and emergency repairs and replacements cause extensive downtime that can hurt your business and impact your whole team. With MSPs, you can keep your business running with little to no downtime and interruptions.
- Enhanced Productivity
A benefit of MSPs for your internal team is that they will improve workplace productivity. With an MSP checking your system to make sure it's secure and running smoothly, your team will report fewer IT tickets. When employees don't have to spend time waiting on tech support to contact them or come in, they can focus on their work.
- Support for In-House IT
If you have an in-house IT professional or an IT department, MSPs can provide specialized services that your team doesn’t have room for in their schedules. They give your tech staff the time to focus on their most pressing tasks instead of constantly being pulled away to put out tech fires.
- Peace of Mind
As a growing business, you have your hands full and don’t have time to figure out what to do about every tech hiccup that comes your way. With an MSP, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that experienced professionals are monitoring your system and tending to all issues. You can pass the complicated upkeep to the experts and focus on building your business.
Consider Making the Switch
Managed service providers fill the gap in the tech market for growing businesses that don’t have the room in their budget for more personnel or a new department. MSPs can be an addition to your tech support or the new way to secure your business without the added cost.
Interested in learning about the managed IT services Nicolet Tech offers? Contact us today and experience the Nicolet advantage.
For more IT news and topics, click here.
