What is a managed service provider, you ask? In a nutshell, a managed service provider (MSP) is a company that helps support you with your IT. In which form this takes place is entirely up to you; it can be as an extension of your team if you only need support in certain areas or it can be fully managed, looking after your IT needs and cyber security so you can focus on your business.
In the digital age, more and more businesses are taking advantage of the support managed service providers offer. Often it’s impossible to have all the IT expertise you need in-house, so outsourcing your IT to an MSP can alleviate your pain points and drive your team’s productivity and flexibility.
If you have been wondering whether to start working with a managed service provider, we have the answers for you. In this month’s blog, we’ll deep dive into the advantages of managed service providers and why outsourcing might be the right call for you.
The 5 signs that you need a managed service provider we’ll cover are:
- Your IT costs are skyrocketing
- Your IT team works with limited capacity
- Your cyber security is outdated
- You’re suffering from regular downtime
- Your team is frustrated
Ready to go? Let’s dive in!
1. Your IT costs are skyrocketing
Are your IT costs continuously burning a hole in your pocket? The most common cause of skyrocketing IT costs is using outdated technology and software. While sticking with what you already have allows you to save money on the acquisition of new technology, what generally happens is that your maintenance costs will rise exponentially.
Managed service providers can not only help set you up with the most cost-effective IT solutions for your operations and help you cut out what you don’t need, but you also will be able to avoid large upfront payments and instead opt for more manageable monthly payments.
2. Your IT team works with limited capacity
You might wonder why you should hire a managed service provider if you already have your own internal IT team. It turns out there are several reasons why this is a good idea. If you’re working in a small or medium-sized business, it’s easy to quickly run out of capacity. Is your internal IT team constantly putting out fires and maintenance-related tasks are starting to pile up?
It’s impossible to find enough hours in the day to cover hardware problems, network issues, threat prevention, updates and trainings, let alone find the time to do research into the latest cyber threats. Good managed service providers will step in as an extension of your team and support you in the areas you need an extra hand. That way, your internal IT team can fully concentrate on their priorities, and your MSP will look after the rest.
3. Your cyber security is outdated
Did you recently have a security breach? Experts identified over half a million new malware variants in 2022 alone. Being targeted by cyber criminals is no longer a question of if, but when. If your cyber security isn’t up to scratch, you exponentially increase your risk of a security breach.
It’s hard to keep up with the latest security standards, but managed service providers can ensure your systems are not just fortified but also constantly monitored and proactively tested for potential vulnerabilities. Additionally, a good MSP will also help you get Cyber Essentials certified and will ensure you’re compliant with GDPR and other data protection obligations.
4. You’re suffering from regular downtime
The more optimal your IT infrastructure is set up, the less downtime you can expect. If you find yourself consistently hamstrung by IT downtime, it doesn’t just cost you valuable time. As the old adage goes: time is money. Downtime is caused not just by weak cyber security but also by hardware defects and software issues.
Managed service providers ensure your IT infrastructure is set up properly as well as monitor your systems and fix potential issues before they occur to minimise downtime. Additionally, a good managed service provider will offer 24/7 monitoring and help you schedule updates outside of your working times to make sure your systems are up and running when you need them.
5. Your team is frustrated
Many of the above-mentioned issues will lead to frustrations in your team. Outdated systems or downtime prevent your team from effectively doing their jobs, which has never been a good selling point. But, additionally to these obvious reasons, there are more potential causes for frustration in the modern workplace. Hybrid and remote work have become the norm for many businesses, so functioning IT is more important than ever.
You need to ensure your systems are set up to enable seamless remote work and allow your team to effectively collaborate even while physically apart. A good managed service provider will sit down with you to find out what you need from your IT and help you set up the right infrastructure. That way, you not only optimise your IT, but you also boost your teams’ productivity, efficiency and, most importantly, satisfaction.
Support your team with the right managed service provider
If you’re suffering from any of the above-mentioned points, it’s a tell-tale sign that you could benefit from working with an MSP. But there are many fish (managed service providers) in the sea, so when searching for an IT partner, it’s important that you feel it’s the right fit. A good MSP will prioritise your actual business needs rather than just trying to sell you solutions.
At Entegraty, we build long-standing relationships with our clients. In our partnership, we work closely with you to understand your business operations and find out what works and what can be improved. We don’t believe in selling set IT-packages, we tailor our IT services to each of our clients and give you only what you need.
Sound good? If you’re curious to learn more about our services and how we can support your team and business, feel free to reach out to our experts for a no-strings-attached chat or find out more about our services by clicking the link below.
