Are you considering managed IT services for your small business? Here's everything you need to know before you make the final decision!
What is Managed IT?
At its core, managed IT services looks like an outsourcing solution. You choose a provider and allow this company to take over certain IT tasks and responsibilities, freeing you up to focus on more important elements of your business.
However, managed IT is much more than just outsourcing. It's actually a partnership--which means you and your provider work together to make decisions, implement solutions, and get things done. You can have your provider handle some tasks for you while maintaining control over others; it all depends on your preferences.
That means managed IT services is one of the most personalized solutions available, all because it can be shaped however you want (and can even change as your company does).
How Managed IT Solves Common SMB Problems
Managed IT isn't just one solution. It's an approach to your entire tech environment and all the connections, devices, and tools that make it tick. That means managed IT can solve a long list of problems for small businesses:
Problem: Overwhelmed IT Teams
Maybe you have one or two IT specialists on your staff, or maybe you make do with whatever expertise other employees bring to their roles. Whatever your team structure looks like, it's likely that you're feeling overwhelmed with IT questions, troubleshooting needs, data management, and more. On top of that, your small business probably doesn't have the budget to hire someone with all the skills you need to succeed in today's tricky tech environment.
Solution: Managed IT services gives you access to a full team of experts from across different fields. No matter what kind of tech question you have, your provider can offer an answer--and, better yet, a solution that doesn't require extra work from you.
Problem: High Costs
Do you know exactly how much you spend on IT every year? The problem is that this number can change wildly as your company grows or shifts--and, to make things more complicated, it's generally difficult to identify which costs come from where. That means you can't cut back on your budget because you don't know where the problems exist.
Solution: With managed IT services, you'll have the tools you need to track usage and costs across your entire IT environment. Your provider can even perform an IT audit to get a better sense of how you use your resources and where your money is going. From there, it's much easier to identify and eliminate unnecessary spending.
Problem: Uncontrolled Growth
Growth is usually a good thing for small businesses--but when that growth happens quickly, it can leave you struggling to keep up. New demands can push your existing devices, workflows, and software solutions to the limit, creating inefficiencies as you try to make do with what you have.
Solution: Growth often requires new solutions--and a managed IT services provider knows which of those solutions will be most helpful for your particular situation. You'll work with your provider to identify where you're feeling overwhelmed, why your current tech is dropping the ball, and how a new option--such as a digital communication platform or cloud tool--could help.
Problem: Security Concerns
Cybersecurity is a growing concern for businesses of all shapes and sizes, but that's particularly true for small businesses. Hackers think you don't have the resources or expertise to protect yourself--and unfortunately, that may indeed be the case.
Solution: Managed IT is a great way to identify vulnerabilities at all levels: device, network, and data. You'll also get expert guidance on what to look for, and your provider will likely offer some form of 24/7 monitoring for additional protection.
Problem: Outdated Hardware
Outdated hardware may not seem like a big deal; after all, it's already paid for--and slow performance isn't that frustrating, right? The problem is that older machines can introduce security problems and growing inefficiencies as time goes on, dragging your whole business down in the process.
Solution: With managed IT services, you can identify machines that are interrupting your workflows or no longer meeting your business's needs. You can also choose new devices that will be a better fit and budget for those upgrades so they're well within reach.
Problem: Cloud Management
As the cloud becomes a more significant part of the business world, you may be feeling a little left behind--especially if you don't know all your options. This can leave your workflows feeling "behind the times"--something both employees and customers will eventually notice.
Solution: Managed IT makes it easy to choose the cloud solutions that fit your needs. Your provider will help you implement platforms or even design your own infrastructure if necessary, giving you the freedom to use the cloud your way.
Problem: Compliance Issues
Compliance is a necessity, but that doesn't mean it's easy. Many small businesses struggle to keep up with changing expectations, especially in highly regulated industries, and stay efficient at the same time.
Solution: Your managed IT services provider will work with you to determine how your industry's regulations should impact data management, software utilization, security, and more. You'll be able to structure your workflows around compliance without sacrificing efficiency or productivity.
What to Consider Before Deciding On Managed IT
It's true that managed IT services is a great fit for small businesses. However, there are a few key things to consider before you make your final choice:
Do you know what you want?
The good news is that you don't necessarily need a solid answer to this question before you get started; after all, you might not know exactly what you want until you find out what's possible. However, it is important to put a little thought into this ahead of time. That way, you'll understand what your underlying values are (even if you don't have a list of specific solutions you want to implement).
Are you ready to work with a provider?
Some companies hesitate to utilize managed services because they don't know what to expect from the provider relationship. Others think they'll have to completely surrender control to see any benefits.
Remember, this is a partnership--which means you'll be contributing thoughts and ideas to the managed IT conversation. Perhaps most importantly, you bring unique knowledge of your business, which can help your provider recommend solutions that fit just right. You don't have to do all the work, but you will get more out of the experience if you work with a provider instead of stifling your questions and ignoring your instinct to get involved.
Do you know what the ideal provider will look like?
Because the partnership element of managed IT is so vital, it's important to find a provider you can work with. Luckily, there are plenty of tips on choosing the right managed IT services provider, so do a little research before you make any decisions.
Is company growth in your future?
For most small businesses, growth is the name of the game. Managed IT services can help you make this growth simple and efficient--but to do so, your provider should be privy to your plans. If your provider knows expansion is your goal from the very beginning, they can approach tools and solutions with this in mind, allowing them to help you build a foundation for growth.
In conclusion, managed IT services is a good fit for small businesses because it's personalized to fit your unique needs. It offers a long list of benefits--like improving security and controlling costs--but it also comes with considerations, like the provider relationship. Just remember to do your research before making the final call.
Want to learn more about managed IT services? Wondering how this solution could fit your small business? Contact us today for all the help you need!
