What are Managed IT Services and how can they help your business?
In today’s fast-paced business environment, agility and efficiency are paramount. Managed IT Services offer a solution for organisations looking to optimise their IT infrastructure without the overhead costs of an in-house team. By partnering with a Managed Service Provider (MSP), you gain access to a dedicated IT powerhouse that handles everything from day-to-day operations to complex system management, all tailored to your specific needs.
So, what exactly is an MSP? A Managed Service Provider is an external partner that takes charge of your organisation’s IT infrastructure and end-user systems. Think of them as your dedicated IT department, but without the overhead.
MSPs offer a comprehensive range of services tailored to your business needs, from routine maintenance to complex problem-solving. They handle your day-to-day IT requirements, resolve technical issues, and keep your systems running smoothly. This model allows businesses of all sizes to access top-tier IT expertise and resources at a fraction of the cost of maintaining an in-house team. By outsourcing to an MSP, you’re not just hiring IT support; you’re gaining a strategic partner committed to optimising your technology landscape and driving your business forward.
Having a managed IT service allows your business to work with agility and adapt to the requirements of doing business in a fast-paced environment. These services can range from cloud storage, data centre management, technical support desk, cell centres, field services, and auditing & asset management.
All of this is just to say that whatever your IT needs, regardless of the size of your business or your business goals, there’s a way for an MSP to help your business!
Benefits of Managed IT Services
Now you know what Managed IT Services are and who provides them, why do businesses use these?
- Cost savings
Working with an MSP can be a more efficient and affordable option than searching for, hiring, employing full time, and finding work for an in-house IT staff member. MSP’s allow businesses to spend a fraction of that cost and receive access to a full IT department to complete work as required so you’re not paying for skills that haven’t been used.
- Access to expertise
Using managed IT services, your business can gain access to experts with skills and knowledge that otherwise would’ve been unaffordable or unattainable. These experts already have the experience, know-how and training you require so they can have an immediate impact on your business.
- Proactive IT solutions
A key benefit for managed IT services is that these experts are there to work on your IT solution. This means that they’re inspecting it for any abnormalities, potential issues and problems. Because of this IT issues are often caught, contained and corrected before they become expensive and time-consuming problems.
- Focus on core business activities
Letting an MSP takeover your IT requirements takes one extra thing off your plate and allows your team to prioritise on the important functions of your business. This more singular focus means you can complete your business’s work effectively and efficiently.
Key Considerations when Adopting Managed IT Services
While Managed IT Services offer several benefits, it’s important to evaluate all aspects of this approach including:
- On-site Support
Some MSP’s are entirely remote and some providers operate from offshore locations. In such cases, immediate hands-on issues like a printer breakdown or monitor issue, your team might need to handle initial troubleshooting. When evaluating MSPs, consider discussing the approach to on-site support and how they manage situations requiring physical presence.
- Scope of Work
Whilst it’s great to have access to some of the most talented IT professionals it’s crucial to ensure their expertise aligns with your business requirements and matches your technology landscape. Each MSP may specialise in different areas, so it’s important to thoroughly assess their capabilities against your current and future IT needs. This way, you can maximise the benefits of your investment and comprehensive support for your critical systems and software.
Finding a Managed IT Services provider that fits your needs
With these considerations in mind, finding an MSP that’s right for you starts with identifying your company’s needs. Once you have a clear understanding of the technologies and software you use, the budget you’re willing to spend, and the output you want to achieve from the service you’ll be able to compare and contrast MSPs to make sure you get the best possible fit.
If you’re unsure, feel free to use this checklist to make sure you’ve covered everything:
- Do you have a clear need for Managed IT Services?
- Do they work with software our business uses?
- Do you want on-site support?
- Do they provide on-site support?
- Do you have projects/programs they can work on immediately?
- Can they provide the specific skills or qualifications you need?
Green Light provides managed services for businesses across all industries. We’re onshore and on-demand. You choose the services your business needs and we will create a tailored package to fit.
If you’d like to learn more about how Green Light can help your business with our Managed IT Services, click here.
To learn more about Green Light, click here. Or follow us on Linkedin.
