An increasing number of small businesses are taking a managed services approach to information technology (IT), forging long-term, strategic partnerships with outsourced IT services providers. The global managed services market is predicted to reach $193 billion by 2019, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.5 percent, according to CompTIA’s 4th Annual Trends in Managed Services report.
The survey found that the top factors driving this growth for small and mid-sized business owners are improved efficiency and reliability of IT functions, enhanced IT security and compliance, a proactive approach to maintenance, and cost-savings.
When you opt for managed IT services, a weight is lifted regarding your business’s ongoing technology needs or the cyber threats it faces daily. You pay a monthly fee to retain a partner who works with you, and for you, doing their best to help to keep your business running smoothly, safely, and in compliance with industry regulations.
This is in stark contrast to the break/fix outsourced IT services model, in which you only pay an IT provider when you need something. With managed IT services, your provider works to identify problems before they happen, and in the end, saves you time and money. Just as regular maintenance checks for your car can help spot and address minor issues before they become big ones, managed services does the same for your IT needs.
How Managed IT Services Work
A managed IT services partner installs a small suite of software that allows it to monitor your devices and infrastructure remotely, no matter where you are located. (Read why a NY-based business opted to work with a St. Louis IT company.) The software also alerts the service partner to potential issues, such as IT security threats or storage issues. This allows for proactive management. The vendor gets a complete view of your business and maintains the knowledge needed to do what’s best and most cost-effective long-term, as opposed to just plugging holes and putting out fires, which often ends up costing more in the long run.
A managed IT services partner will help assess, improve, and maintain, the following business areas:
IT Security
As much as we’d like IT security to be a turnkey, passive process, it’s not. It requires constant scrutiny, perpetual skepticism, and skilled intervention. Installing anti-malware and anti-virus software isn’t enough. You need to make sure the programs are updated regularly.
Additionally, many take a “set it and forget it” approach to firewalls, but you must review security logs and install firmware patches routinely. Patching also requires great care while failure to do so leaves your business vulnerable.
Managed IT services partners also stay informed and know when patience is needed or when additional configuration make sense. For example, not every Microsoft Windows update should be automatically installed. Someone needs to review it to ensure its applicability for your particular situation. And setting up a secure Wi-Fi network isn’t as simple as installing a box. Many small businesses don’t have the time or the expertise to tackle these ongoing tasks.
Backups and Disaster Recovery
Every business needs a plan for backing up its business-critical data regularly, and for firms in regulated industries, it is especially critical. An outsourced IT services partner will establish back-up procedures and audit them consistently.
Hardware Performance
Are your servers, workstations, printers, and other devices performing optimally? Does your business have time to manage all these elements and to handle the IT administrative components that come with hiring new employees? A managed IT services firm makes sure your team members can work productively from day one.
Remote Access
Do you and your employees need to access work files remotely? Doing so is convenient, but it can open a host of threats to your business. An outsourced IT services partner will make sure you have a plan for remote access and data sharing that is as secure as it is easy to use.
Compliance
A managed IT services company will help you stay on top of industry regulations, such as HIPAA or financial legislation, so you can rest assured you are in compliance.
Ongoing Support
Maybe you’ve accidentally deleted a week’s worth of work or clicked a link you shouldn’t have. Maybe you’re having trouble printing or even lost your connection to the network completely. Every professional has experienced that quintessential moment when you need help now. With managed IT services, you’ll know whom to call and be confident you’ll get the help you need quickly from someone who understands your business.
Your outsourced IT services partner should be able to explain IT issues to non-technical people. It should also have a plan for consistent communication. Anderson Technologies, a St. Louis IT consulting company and managed IT services provider, runs ongoing reports assessing the status of its clients’ infrastructure and devises plans for improvement. Call 314.394.3001 today to learn more.
