Before you start considering whether your business needs an MSP, it’s probably quite important you know what one is. Research conducted last year concluded that as many as two thirds of modern businesses have used or continue to make use of an MSP, but what is it and why are more small and medium sized companies using them?
What is an MSP?
A managed service provider (MSP) supplies the delivery and management of a number of network-based IT services, applications and equipments, with a responsibility for 24-hour monitoring, managing and problem resolution for the IT systems within a business.
While the majority of global organisations have in-house IT teams, it’s those smaller to middle-sized businesses that have looked to outsource their IT systems to managed service providers in recent years. Small businesses need technology to operate as efficiently as larger companies in order to compete in the market, and IT management has become an increasingly popular option for business owners.
In many businesses, IT resources are limited and can be quickly overwhelmed, and this is where MSP’s are particular effective. From cost to convenience, security to scalability, there are a host of benefits of a managed service provider to your business.
The Benefits to your Business
Cost: When it comes to IT systems, budgeting can often be a tricky task. A crashed server or technical issue can come as an unseen cost, and repairing the problem doesn’t come cheap. With an MSP, businesses pay a fixed monthly fee, meaning you won’t be hit with costs for repairs or upgrading whenever something goes wrong. Rather than spending money on systems upgrades you don’t need, an MSP will also provide information and advice on the right investments you really require.
Coverage: The benefits of having 24/7 coverage and maintenance to smaller businesses are huge. Having a fault identified and resolved right away can save a company significant amounts of potentially lost revenue, and 24/7 monitoring allows issues to be proactively resolved before they become major problems resulting in significant downtime.
Security: Security is one of the most important aspects of what managed service providers offer. Ensuring your business has the most up-to-date security systems protecting it is arguably the most essential part of your company’s technology infrastructure. From monitoring your Firewall or Anti-Virus, as well as installing the latest updates and patches, MSPs are crucial to making sure your network is as secure as possible.
Labour saving: Even if your business has a full-time or part-time in-house member of staff looking after the IT, their time can often be spent having to manage and maintain the systems rather than what they really need to be doing. A basic Managed Service package allows your IT person to focus on what really needs to be done, instead of the day-to-day maintenance required to ensure the technology working properly.
Efficiency: As well as offering a neutral review of your business’ existing IT infrastructure, a managed service provider is able to bring in knowledge of all the latest industry updates and system changes, helping make your organisation more efficient in a number of areas. Whether it’s bringing information from within the technology sector, or new ideas that could help grow a business, an MSP can not only look after your IT systems but also offer innovative ways of improving it.
Why Konnetix should be your MSP
Selecting the right IT support partner can be one of the most important yet overlooked aspects of launching or running a business. Our mission is to help companies reduce disruption and downtime associated with IT problems, and doing it at price you feel comfortable with. We’ll even give your system a comprehensive health check for free.
Boasting over 50 years experience in the industry, our highly-skilled team offer the proactive support and expert technical knowledge that you need from a leading managed service provider. We know that every company is unique, and this is why we offer independent and unbiased advice to ensure your IT systems are the perfect fit to your business.
For more information about Konnetix and the services we provide, or to arrange your free health check, click here.