Every business, regardless of its size, relies on effective IT services and systems to deliver increase productivity and quality customer service. Robust and reliable managed IT services can empower businesses to maintain a competitive edge. Since the majority of small and medium-sized businesses lack the expertise and resources to effectively manage IT internally, engaging a third-party managed service provider (MSP) becomes essential. In this article, we will explore five reasons why managed IT support surpasses ad hoc IT Support, helping you make the right decision for your business.
Benefits of Choosing Managed IT Services
1. Rising IT Complexity and the Importance of Managed IT Services
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital transformation, highlighting the critical role of IT in business operations. With the adoption of remote work technologies like Cloud computing, VPNs, and remote desktop connections, adding to the complexity of IT systems. Businesses now face the challenge of managing a mix of cloud, multi-Cloud, and on-premises solutions, along with routers, VPNs, databases, business-critical applications, security measures, and workstations. Flexera reported that 87% of enterprises utilise multi-cloud, integrating multiple cloud services. To navigate this complexity, partnering with a reliable Managed IT Service provider is crucial.
2. Know Where You Stand – Service Level Agreements (SLA)
The cornerstone most MSP’s managed IT Services is their support contract (we call it a Support Agreement). This outlines exactly what your provider is (and isn’t) responsible for. More importantly however, they nearly always include a Service Level Agreement (SLA) as well, so you know where you stand when your business needs help or advice. You’re not left crossing your fingers or feeling like you’re asking for favours when you pick up the phone to your ad hoc provider.
3. Building a Long-Term Partnership with Managed IT Service Provider
While some business owners may be hesitant to commit to an IT partner, opting for short-term or no contracts, it’s important to establish a stable partnership. IT isn’t something you do once and then forget about. It’s part of your business every day.
We prioritise long-term partnerships with our clients that in most cases transcend a typical customer-supplier relationship. We plan ahead and avoid the poor results we often see when IT systems are put together piecemeal and in reaction to problems. The goal is twofold: first, to assess client’s current IT needs and second, to reduce unnecessary operating expenses while proactively avoiding potential future problems. Drawing upon our team’s experience, we provide valuable insights and recommendations on the most suitable products and services that align with the long-term goals of the business.
4. A Team of Skilled IT Experts
Relying on a single individual to handle all IT matters can pose challenges due to their limited expertise in various areas. While they may excel in troubleshooting Microsoft 365, they might struggle if your router has a meltdown.
Our team consists of skilled IT engineers who are well-equipped to address a wide range of IT challenges. Whether it’s managing cloud solutions, resolving network issues, or supporting essential applications, our diverse expertise allows us to provide comprehensive support across all aspects of your IT infrastructure. Having us as your partner, you can trust that your business will benefit from the collective knowledge and skills of our dedicated IT professionals.
5. Predictable Costs
Ad hoc IT work often involves paying for individual services or resolving issues on a case-by-case basis, which can result in unforeseen and sometimes excessive costs. These unexpected expenses can disrupt your budget and strain your financial resources.
With managed IT services, you have the advantage of a fixed annual cost. You know how much you will be spending on your managed IT services each month. This predictable cost structure allows you to allocate resources more efficiently and make informed decisions about other areas of your business.
Ultimately, the choice between Ad Hoc IT Support and Managed IT Services depends on your budget, priorities, and attitude to IT. Often the full-year costs of ad hoc – managed IT service are cheaper, and when you factor in all the other benefits it becomes a bit of a no-brainer. Contact our friendly team today to discuss how an upgrade to managed IT services can empower your business.
Frequently Asked Questions about Managed IT Services
Ad hoc services refer to services that are provided on a per-project or per-need basis. Unlike retainer-based models, ad hoc services are not bound by an ongoing contract. They are specifically focused on addressing a specific problem or fulfilling a particular task that you have identified. The charges for ad hoc services are typically based on an hourly rate or the estimated number of man-hours required to complete the job. Once the identified problem or task is resolved, the ad hoc service is considered complete.
Managed IT Services are outsourced IT Support services provided through a retainer-based contract, typically lasting for a fixed duration, often a year or more. During this period, the provider acts as an extension of your company, assuming responsibility for your IT infrastructure and support needs. This includes help desk support, reactive visits to address issues, and proactive maintenance activities.
To give you a flavour, our managed IT services Support Agreement includes:
- Priority technical support, incident response and remedial work
- Installation of replacement parts
- Day to day administration of IT systems and services
- User management (e.g. starters, leavers and movers)
- Software updates
- Regular reviews to provide ongoing advice, guidance, and recommendations
- Software lifecycle management
- Management of third party vendors and their support process on your behalf
- Response to virus, malware and security incidents
- Expert software licensing and compliance advice
- Inventory, hardware audit and asset tracking reports
- DNS layer security from Cisco Umbrella (or similar) at all sites
- Service and warranty tracking and renewal management
- Backup system monitoring and manual monthly check (failsafe)
- Microsoft updates (patches) as supported by Microsoft and our Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) tool
These are just some of the key components included in our Managed IT Support services, designed to provide comprehensive and proactive support for your IT infrastructure.
Absolutely! Our Managed IT Support services encompass remote support as part of the package. We understand the importance of promptly resolving any issues that may arise, and our dedicated helpdesk is readily available to provide remote assistance. You can easily log a support ticket through our portal or communicate with our support team over the phone or email – whatever suits you.
There is no specific type of company that is considered the “right” fit for these services. Small and medium-sized businesses often rely on managed IT service providers to handle their entire IT infrastructure, allowing them to concentrate on their core operations. On the other hand, larger businesses may engage MSPs to assist their in-house IT teams on a co-managed basis by offloading routine IT tasks, enabling their internal staff to focus on more strategic and long-term initiatives.
