Whether you own or work at a small-to-medium sized business, or are a CIO at a large organization, most business leaders understand that today’s ever-evolving technologies, are shaping “a diverse and complex hybrid IT environment, unlike anything we have seen” (IBM). As a result, many companies are looking to partner with a managed IT services provider who can help navigate complicated systems and technology.
For example, IBM estimates that “70 percent of CIOs who are focused on growth, plan to partner extensively for new skills and expertise rather than doing everything in-house.” At Big Sur Technologies, we see this need for a managed IT services provider among our clients in Tampa Bay and beyond, day in and day out—all of whom are in search of a partner that is able to manage IT needs in a way that’s valuable and effective.
If you can relate, and are considering outsourcing your IT needs, check out our top five reasons on why a managed IT services provider may be the best decision for your business:
1. Enhanced Security
In today’s business world, cyberattacks are a very real threat. From ransomware and malware to other dangerous cybercrimes, it’s important that businesses take the necessary steps to protect their people and data, which if sufficiently protected, can save valuable time and money.
For example, one of our partners, Datto, estimated that “in 2016, U.S. Small Business lost $75 million in downtime due to ransomware attacks” and “that 48% of businesses lose critical data when falling victim to such attacks” (Forbes). While a managed IT services provider cannot guarantee that you will be safe from all threats, they can implement safeguards to deter hackers and set-up a procedures to protect your data and get your business back online in the event of an attack.
2. Cost Effective
For many businesses in the Tampa area, managed IT services can be a complex and costly expense. Fortunately, businesses that outsource their IT needs are able to save money because as a “general rule outsourced IT support is more cost-effective than creating an in-house help desk” and an effective internal team often requires “at least two salaried staff members—and maybe more, depending on your company’s size” (TechDonut).
Added bonus? Outsourced IT support teams are frequently trained on the latest IT industry trends and technology, meaning that as a business leader, you can be assured that your business is utilizing the most up-to-date technology and services.
3. Resources and Scalability
Top of the line technology can be expensive, and if your company is in growth mode, you may not know the exact resources that you’ll need 3-5 years from now, so it my be important to have a flexible option. To alleviate these concerns, businesses of every size can work with a managed IT services provider, who due to economies of scale, can provide affordable technology solutions, and options that can scale with you as your business grows.
If you work at a small-to-medium sized business, you understand that “many small businesses do not have the budget or resources necessary to implement the IT systems and services they need in-house” compared to larger competitors. That’s where a managed IT services provider comes into play, because they can help create a “more equitable playing field between small firms and large enterprises” (Small Business Chronicle).
4. Proactive Approach
Perhaps one of the most appealing reasons to use a managed services provider for your IT needs is the peace of mind you will have knowing that a team of IT experts provide around the clock support to ensure all systems are up-to-date, working efficiently, and are safely secured.
In most cases, an outsourced managed IT services provider “delivers faster response time than in-house service because with an in-house arrangement there is often only one person handling your entire company’s needs. Employees are left waiting for help, and that not only decreases productivity, but it could negatively impact customer service” (Business.org). In addition, by hiring outsource IT experts, you free up your time to focus more on your business.
5. Prepare and Backup
One of the biggest threats to any business, especially SMBs, is downtime—which can be caused by a variety of reasons, including human-induced errors, natural disasters or cyber threats, and could result in significant loss of information and money. For example, if you are an average small business, Datto estimates that for every hour of downtime, you “will lose, on average, $20,000 due to the disruption.”
However, with a managed IT services provider, like Tampa-based Big Sur Technologies, companies of every size are able to establish and implement procedures, like a business continuity plan which helps companies prepare for any type of disaster, and also provide valuable options like data backup via a cloud solution that can store your data in a secure location.
If you have questions or are thinking of outsourcing your IT needs to a managed services provider, contact our team today.
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