When IT systems go down, it’s estimated that businesses can expect to lose around $5,600 per minute.
Of course, if you run a small business, that figure might not apply to you. But it’s still fair to assume your company will lose money should your systems take a hit.
If you’re worried about your IT systems going under, you might want to think about investing in managed IT services. In doing so, you’ll have access to experts that know how to protect your systems from potential problems.
Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of using managed IT services. If this concept is new to you, this post will provide you with a clear answer to the question – ”what is managed IT services?”
Let’s begin!
The Two Options for Managing Business IT Systems
When it comes to keeping your IT systems online with the help of an external party, you have two options to choose from. Each business is different, and so it’s crucial you compare each of these offerings carefully so that you pick the right one for your needs.
One option is to make use of something known as a ‘break-fix’ service.
This is when you only hire an expert if something breaks within your IT system.
You’re the one that manages the day to day maintenance of your IT system. But, if something goes wrong, and you don’t know how to fix it, you call out an expert. The expert will do what they can to fix your systems, and they’ll charge you by the hour.
The other option is to make use of something known as ‘managed IT services,’ otherwise known as a managed services provider.
This is when you pay a company a monthly fee, so that they’ll manage your IT systems and respond to support queries. The service provider will also work alongside you if you have any plans to improve your IT infrastructure.
For many businesses, managed IT is often the better option out of the two. To help you understand why this is the case, the sections below will highlight the benefits associated with using managed IT services.
Consistent Monitoring
One of the great things about managed IT, is that experts will keep a close eye on your IT systems. This is helpful because it means they’ll be able to watch out for any unusual activity.
Following this, they’ll be able to tackle small problems before they take out your entire network. They’ll also be able to spot any signs of malicious activity that might be the result of a hacker trying to gain access to your network.
They Understand the Risks
The world of IT is constantly changing, and new threats are emerging each day. But if you’re not an IT expert, it can be hard to keep track of the things that have the potential to take down your systems.
However, if you enlist the services of a managed IT provider, you don’t have to keep up with the news.
A managed services provider will take proactive measures to ensure your systems are resistant to new threats. If a new virus is sweeping the globe, you can rest easy knowing that your IT provider is already on the case.
They’ll Keep Your Systems Updated
You might think that you can keep your systems updated without needing to hire a managed systems provider. While this is a fair conclusion, it’s important to consider how much software you use daily.
If you use a large stack of tools, you might not have the time to make sure they’re all kept up to date. Plus, if you’re a busy person, you might not be able to carve out time in your day to check if each software installation is running the latest version.
If you hire a managed service provider, they’ll do all this for you. This frees up your time, giving you the chance to concentrate on your actual job.
Support When You Need It
Provided you work with an established service provider, you should have access to 24/365 support.
This is helpful, because it means that you can quickly tackle IT problems, whether they affect you in the middle of the night, or during the weekend.
Having access to this kind of support can also protect you from the types of events that might derail the success of your business.
Suppose your laptop stops working and you have to make a presentation to a potential client over the coming week.
In a scenario like this, you can just reach out to the services provider, and they’ll help you get your computer back online. Following this, you should be able to make your presentation and win the new piece of business.
Easier to Plan Business Finances
When you use the services of a managed service provider, all you need to do is pay a fixed monthly fee.
The amount you need to pay is set in stone and you know what kind of services you’ll receive in return for this payment.
This is often much better than paying a technician by the hour. After all, you don’t know how many hours it’ll take to fix the problem and whether the problem will be solved at all.
What Is Managed IT Services? – Can You Answer This Question?
Before reading this post, you may not have known much about managed IT services. In fact, if you went to a conference and someone told you they used managed IT services, you may have needed to Google – ”what is managed IT services.”
It’s important to note that your ability to benefit from managed IT services will be limited by the talent of the company you hire. If you don’t hire a capable company, you may not experience the full benefits on offer. You may even find that they make thing worse, should a problem affect your IT systems.
You can fix this by conducting proper due diligence and speaking to the past clients of a service provider. If you go through this process and hire a competent company, you may never have to worry about IT problems ever again.
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