March 16, 2022
It can be tough for IT departments to keep up with day-to-day tasks and provide help desk support in the best of circumstances. But in recent years, businesses haven't had the best of circumstances. Cybersecurity threats have intensified dramatically, and to counter them, software providers have released a steady stream of patches and upgrades.
However, even fully-staffed IT departments have had difficulty keeping up with them. Only 21% of organizations patch software vulnerabilities quickly. Not surprisingly, organizations that have been breached report that it happened because an existing patch wasn't applied promptly.
If your organization is putting off important cybersecurity measures because there's just not enough time in the day, it might be time to consider outsourcing some or all of this work to a Managed IT Services provider.
Advantages Of Outsourced IT
You'll definitely want to know if you can scale your service offerings if business growth is in your future. Ask immediately to see a breakdown of services, so you know what you're contemplating fits your business model. The price of service and the level of technology used to support your company's IT infrastructure are important, but cost savings and great tools won't compensate for poor service.
1. Added Savings And Flexibility
Many business owners might be surprised to hear how much time and money they might save through Managed IT services. When you outsource all or part of your IT needs, you can upgrade your capabilities almost instantly without hiring full-time staff. Should your business needs change, a good managed IT provider can scale their services up or down.
2. World-Class Expertise
Cybersecurity is becoming a more specialized business every day. Your IT personnel might have time to keep an eye on current threats and provide solutions. But chances are, they don't. A good Managed IT services provider will have dedicated cybersecurity experts who can quickly find out where your business might be vulnerable, and suggest security measures to safeguard its valuable data.
3. Availability
With scale typically comes availability. Your full-time staff has regular working hours, and aren’t typically available to help with an after-hours emergency. A large managed IT provider can usually offer 24/7 help desk support, if needed.
4. Data Compliance Support
Compliance regulations can be very complicated. Depending on your line of business and state law, if your company fails to protect sensitive data, it could be sued. A good provider will know how to bring your business into compliance with existing privacy regulations.
Potential Disadvantages Of Outsourced IT
1. Can Be Less Personal
Depending on the provider you choose, some may only offer their services remotely. That may mean you'll still be stuck troubleshooting issues from time to time, albeit with expert guidance. Ask any potential provider if they have local staff who can assist with on-site troubleshooting.
It's also worth asking how flexible their managed IT offerings are. For example, in addition to fully-managed IT, Marco offers a hybrid, or co-managed IT services model, where Marco staff can take on certain tasks, and leave your internal IT department to handle the rest. However, some providers may only offer fully-managed IT, or feature pre-packaged options that don't suit your needs.
2. You'll Have Less Control
When your business relies on other organizations for products or services, if they're going through a hard time, it might also affect you. It almost goes without saying that a provider that has been in business for quite some time is less likely to fold during a rough year and leave you without critical support.
However, even if your provider is perfectly stable, your business will still be handing over some or all of its IT responsibilities to a third party. That can be a huge weight off of a business owner's shoulders…as long as the third party does what they say they will, and lives up to their promise.
Choosing The Right Partner
Just like with any vendor relationship, if you're thinking of partnering with a managed IT services provider, it's worth taking the time to get to know them and how they do business before you sign anything. A great provider that values long-term client satisfaction will also want to do the same with you.
Marco takes great pride in offering a great deal of flexibility to clients. Our IT experts are happy to provide fully-managed IT, or simply boost your existing team by providing cybersecurity, for example, or help desk support. Our award-winning team is here when you’re ready to take the next step.
