A managed services provider (MSP) can take on tedious tech tasks for you as part of a long-term partnership. This allows you to spend more time on core business processes and less time on reacting to issues via the inefficient break-fix approach. And, these are only a few of the many managed services advantages you can leverage.
| “When SMBs look to save their budgets, third-party partnerships are often the first to go. However, letting go of a partnership that is saving you money won’t do any favors for your budget.” – Tom Baum, CEO, DatCom |
Based on this model, it’s too easy to assume that such a service is reserved for large businesses with deeper pockets. However, that’s not the case and the importance of managed IT services for any small business owner cannot be overstated. MSPs offer key benefits that are particularly helpful to SMBs.
This article will explore 9 managed IT benefits that are especially important to smaller businesses. For instance, the cost savings and organized single point of contact system most MSPs provide mean that SMBs can gain a great deal from an MSP partnership. Let’s dig in.
1. Predictable IT Costs
Small businesses often face budget constraints and unpredictable expenses. Working with an MSP is a great way to enjoy advanced IT services without worrying about throwing your budget off-balance. Managed IT services typically come at a regular fixed fee which can support better budgeting by reducing the chance of sudden IT costs.
2. Access to Expert IT Professionals
Given that 49% of SMBs say hiring new talent is harder than ever, having access to seasoned IT professionals through managed services can be a life saver. It also saves you the time-consuming process of hiring and training new full-time IT staff.
These expert insights can also help you discover new ways to use your technology. Even if your current systems work fine, an MSP can help you find ways for it to work better. This advantage can result in additional ROI from increased workflow efficiency.
3. Lower Labor Costs
Small businesses often struggle with limited capital and high operational costs. Managed IT services offer a way to lower labor costs in the face of this challenge. This is because they can either replace or supplement an in-house IT team.
4. Risk Reduction
Managed IT services provide robust data security measures. This is vital for small businesses that might lack the expertise and resources to manage cybersecurity risks effectively on their own. They can also help ensure business continuity in the face of unexpected cyber events.
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5. Increased Productivity
Network downtime is a productivity killer. On average, employees lose 2 weeks’ worth of productivity per year to technical difficulties. Proactive monitoring services provided by most MSPs help ensure your network experiences minimal downtime. By proactively monitoring and managing your network, your partner can detect issues before they cause problems.
Additionally, an MSP partnership comes with easy access to swift IT support. This way, whenever someone faces a technical issue, they know exactly who to turn to get it resolved quickly.
6. Scalability
Not every small business stays small. Business growth is exciting, but it’s not without its challenges. If your IT systems can keep up as your business grows, you risk slow downs, crashes, and storage issues. A managed IT provider can guide you through effectively scaling your systems to match your growth.
7. Better Resilience to Economic Volatility
The scalability of managed IT services is also beneficial to business resilience. This flexibility can help small businesses adapt to changing market conditions more effectively and without significant additional costs.
MSPs also generally keep up with the latest technology trends. So, they can use this knowledge and their knowledge of your business to help you pivot your IT plan to current conditions. For example, they can help you move to cloud computing if you determine that will be best for your future.
8. Access to Cutting-Edge Technology
Keeping up with the latest technology can be challenging for small businesses. Managed IT services offer access to the latest technology without the high costs of ownership, helping you stay competitive and innovative.
However, it’s important not to pick any trending IT tool just because it’s a big topic. You need technology solutions that actually make sense for your business processes. An IT procurement consultant from an MSP can help guide you through what will actually work for your business.
9. Enhanced Strategic Focus
Managed IT services allow businesses to concentrate on core objectives and strategies by freeing up internal resources and time otherwise spent on complex IT issues. Most are also capable of providing IT consulting services that can help you align your IT tasks with your larger business goals.
Work With an IT Partner That Really Gets Small Businesses
While the MSP model clearly provides particular advantages to small businesses, not every MSP truly gets what a small business needs. Many work with larger companies and may pivot their service level agreements to their expectations.
If you run a small business, DatCom that really gets how you work. DatCom, LLC can be that partner. Our focus is on strengthening America’s small business community through expert IT services, so we ensure that everything we do always has your unique needs in mind.
To find out more about how we can help you, reach out to us today.