Technology changes fast, so it should come as no surprise that many companies have trouble keeping up. Even if a business has an IT team, managing 100% of the company’s technological infrastructure can be a challenging and time-consuming burden. That’s where managed service providers (MSPs) come in.
Outsourcing some or all of a company’s IT requirements can help a company grow and thrive. Read on to find out about just a few of the benefits of taking this approach to managing technological infrastructure.
1. Save Money
MSPs typically operate on subscription-based models that offer businesses the ability to predict and manage IT-related expenses. This can be a huge selling point for small businesses that don’t have it in the budget to hire full in-house IT teams, but it also applies to larger companies looking for a third-party partner to shoulder some of their technological burdens. Anyone interested in what additional services are available from MSPs can check out this blog from mSign.
2. Improve Security
Every modern business should have strict cybersecurity protocols in place, but hiring an information security officer isn’t always an option. Growing businesses don’t need to choose between hiring new cybersecurity staff and risking a data breach. Good MSPs have robust security protocols in place to protect clients’ data and ensure compliance with industry regulations.
3. Access to a Team of Experts
Some businesses already have small IT teams that can help with troubleshooting, setting up new software, and installing new hardware devices. In most cases, though, IT teams at small and mid-sized businesses have enough on their plates already without worrying about every aspect of maintaining the company’s technological infrastructure. Whether or not a business employs its own IT staff, the entire company will benefit from having access to a team of experts who can help with maintaining infrastructure and troubleshooting problems.
4. Re-Focus on Core Business Practices
As small businesses grow into established organizations, employees are often asked to take on projects that fall outside of their areas of expertise, often including IT responsibilities. As these responsibilities begin to multiply, the company’s employees start to find themselves spending more time on IT maintenance than their actual jobs. Outsourcing IT services to an MSP will allow employees to re-focus on their core business practices.
5. Scale Up With Ease
As a business grows and thrives, its technological needs will inevitably change. Subscription-based IT services can scale up with their client companies, avoiding problems with technological requirements and outgrowing available resources. MSPs have all of the staff and digital tools required to help their clients remain productive as the companies grow.
6. Streamline Vendor Management
MSPs can interface with clients’ vendors on their behalf, helping to ensure that any technical problems that occur over the course of business encounters are resolved quickly. In many cases, the MSP can serve as a primary point of contact for third parties. Given how difficult vendor management can be for small businesses, having a trusted partner that can shoulder some of the burdens makes a big difference.
Find the Right Provider
All MSPs are not created equal, so business owners looking to outsource some or all of their IT needs to third-party companies need to be careful. Take the time to perform some due diligence, find out what services each MSP offers, and look into the companies’ histories and reputations before making a final decision.