If you run a small to medium sized business, the chances are that you use a lot of technology. But as those networks and systems get bigger and more complex, they also tend to cost more in terms of time and maintenance. It’s one major reason why small to medium sized businesses often struggle to keep pace with larger organisations that have their own dedicated IT departments. As the use of technology has increased, so have support services that are specifically committed to supporting business IT needs.
Outsourcing any service should be considered wisely by any business. It needs to have a positive impact on the business and customers, and still be cost effective and reliable. Fortunately, there are numerous managed IT support solutions that can provide reliable and fast service at a range of levels and costs. What are the specific advantages and benefits of a business using such a service?
The Benefits of Managed IT Services
If your business is seriously considering outsourcing IT support in order to level the playing field, you should think about the following benefits.
Using such a service means that your monthly costs are predictable. Knowing what your outgoings are is essential for any business, particularly if you’re small to medium sized. A managed IT service also saves money in terms of not having to hire and maintain an IT support department or helpdesk, particularly if you’ve previously had to rely on contract and temporary employees. Any costs incurred are for repairing and maintaining an existing IT system, rather than having to pay additional costs for employees.
IT support allows focus and agility. When you use managed business IT support in Sydney, for example, you can focus on core business. Complex IT support and decision making will largely be in the hands of a team of dedicated experts, and you can turn your attention to other aspects of the business. This speed and rapid IT response also make your business more agile in a competitive global business environment, and able to adapt to demand and new technical challenges quickly.
It’s hard to keep track of all of the changes to technology in this day and age. One literally needs a degree in Computer Science to keep an eye on everything! This is why it makes sense to use a managed IT support company. It’s their job to know what needs updating and when. If you’re thinking of rolling out a new operating system, you can easily turn to your IT experts and ask them about the advantages and disadvantages. When you’re ready to upgrade, a managed IT support team can do it quickly and painlessly. Amongst other things, the team will be able to keep an eye on and upgrade the following infrastructure and software:
- Operating systems
- Firewall software, hardware and settings
- Anti-virus software
- Network and communications hardware
- Computers and mobile technology
- Specialist accessories such as graphics tablets
The Future of Business Growth
Staying on top of your game as a business in the 21st century means having to balance cost against efficiency. Using a managed business IT solution is one way that small to medium-sized businesses can compete on a more level playing field with larger organisations.