Managed IT seems like a great option, but there may be a concern of it potentially being expensive. Not sure if it can actually help your business save money? Before committing to any service, it’s essential to know you're spending money on something that will solve your current problems as well as prove useful for the future.
As a managed service provider, Usherwood receives questions on the topic of managed IT costs all the time. In this article, we’ll discuss managed IT and four ways it could save you money and generate revenue.
What is Managed IT?
Managed IT means all your organization’s internal IT is managed by a third-party company, commonly referred to as a Managed Service Provider (MSP). You, as the customer, pay a monthly fee in return for the managed IT services. Typical services provided include management of your network infrastructure, end-user support, backup, and security.
When you choose to work with a Managed IT provider, you allow them full access to run diagnostics and monitoring on your network. This assessment enables your MSP to point out security threats, map out the network infrastructure, and make recommendations about your network capabilities and any impact on your business.
Your MSP will also constantly monitor your network, ensuring it runs smoothly and is protected from suspicious activity or breaches. This allows your company to concentrate on important business and not the day-to-day operations of the network. Managed IT can offer a hands-off approach to businesses as well as a variety of benefits. To learn more about the perks of fully managed IT, check out our “The Benefits of Fully Managed IT” article.
4 Ways Managed IT Can Save Money & Produce Revenue
Managed IT can save on costs associated with financial risks such as ransomware attacks, increasing company productivity, eliminating unexpected fees with a fixed cost pricing plan, and driving revenue by leveraging future growth and success.
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Reduce the Risk of Ransomware Attacks
Managed IT is a precaution you may not realize you need until the moment you do. While there is no way to ultimately ensure a ransomware attack won’t occur, Managed IT can save you from a significant overhead cost if your business is hit with an attack as well as significantly reduce the likelihood one will occur.
A ransomware attack or breach can be a devastating hit to companies when they occur. But with a Managed Service provider, if the unfortunate event does occur, your MSP will work with your company to get your business up and running as soon as possible. Many of the costs associated with ransomware attacks are due to extended downtime. Your business is out of commission and can't effectively function until the attack is stopped and systems become secure again.
Managed IT is a proactive approach for your business. Your systems will be continuously monitored to catch any suspicious activity or flaws in your security, so the problem is resolved before it begins.
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Increased Productivity
Managed IT allows your business to work effectively and efficiently through updated equipment, network monitoring, and user training. Managed service providers use equipment to monitor their clients’ systems constantly. With 24/7 monitoring, MSPs can catch any software flaw that may slow down your network or open your systems up to security risks.
By maintaining an efficient, quick, and secure network, users can continue doing their jobs at the highest level without having to worry about a technology malfunction. When systems crash or slow down, this means employees can't be as productive with their time.
By staying ahead with new technology and equipment, you can significantly reduce the risk of expensive repairs and replacements that can waste time and money. Managed IT will maintain updated equipment and software to make workflows easier without having any time-consuming setbacks or slowdowns.
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Fixed Costs
MSPs can deliver all your equipment and services at one fixed cost. This cost is typically paid monthly, which means you can avoid a significant unforeseen cost that can be difficult to budget for.
If you were to go with an in-house IT technician to handle your IT infrastructure instead, there could be many costs unaccounted for, such as break-fixes, in which something unexpected could go wrong, resulting in having to invest a lot more money into equipment and services. If your IT technician leaves, it can result in downtime looking for a replacement and having to re-train.
With Managed IT, you can reduce downtime, avoid costly training, and reduce turnover, making it easy to budget for the future accordingly.
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Set your Business up for Future Growth
Managed IT can provide you with all the necessary tools to support your business's growth. In most cases, the best fit for MSPs are businesses looking to grow their company through technology utilization.
A technology stack could be a great organizational addition to your business. By utilizing a collection of different technologies that work well together within your IT environment, you can create a more optimized infrastructure while also balancing quality and cost efficiency. In our article “How a Technology Stack Could Assist Your Business”, we further discuss the proficiencies of a technology stack in businesses and how they assist with their growth.
Typically, onboarding new equipment for new users can be a large and costly project to take on. Not to mention a lot of time and energy wasted that could be going into your business growth instead. Managed IT will ensure everything from adding more users, getting all the necessary equipment put in place, and training inexperienced users will all be taken care of to allow your business to continue to focus on operations. Having a managed service provider will ensure you always have the means to support your growing business environment, whether slowly or rapidly, preparing you for future success.
Want to Learn More About Managed IT?
Costs and savings associated with Managed IT can vary depending on company size, the number of users, and the required services and equipment. For this reason, it’s recommended you speak with a managed service provider. An MSP can look at your current costs associated with your IT infrastructure and help determine what your needs are and how to manage costs best.
With Usherwood Office Technology, all Managed IT solutions are tailored specifically to your business. A consultation will allow us to fully access your current IT infrastructure so you can receive a roadmap on what needs to be done to enhance and secure your business environment.
