What are the benefits of using managed IT services?

Managed IT services enable enterprises of all shapes and sizes to delegate some, or all, of their IT processes to a specialist third-party, often referred to as Managed Service Providers (MSPs).

These IT professionals specialise in managing and carrying out the day-to-day tasks and operation of IT systems, applications, infrastructure and completing projects involving digital transformation. MSPs take time to clearly understand the goals of the companies they serve, and then proactively work to enhance their IT adoption. By removing the burden of handling daily IT operations, a managed service can also partner with the firm to leverage brand-new technology that helps them expand.

Typically, MSPs provide a complete IT department service for small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) with little to no staff with technical capabilities, or supply support to an existing IT team with some experience in larger companies, acting as an extension of their organisation. The full extent of an MSPs responsibilities is usually outlined in a Service Level Agreement (SLA) and can include a wide range of IT-related areas including email, service help desk, networking, cybersecurity, backups, data storage, software and system patching and cloud integration.

In this blog, we’ll explore the long list of managed IT service benefits that companies can access when they work with an MSP. Read on to decide if such a service is the right option for your SME.

Accessing technical skills

Even companies with a dedicated IT department can discover it has limitations. By employing a managed IT service, firms can benefit from the whole team at the MSP accessing a wider range of technical skills. Technical engineers working as part of a manged service are constantly updating their IT knowledge and certifications, ensuring that the businesses they serve can reap the benefits of their experience.

Enhanced workforce productivity

When you enlist the help of a managed IT support service, you’ll enjoy system continuity. If a problem occurs, you know help is only an email or phone call away, and will be fixed swiftly.

With expert advice on hand, your team will never need to stop what they’re doing at work to try and resolve an issue. Additionally, expert engineers can ensure you’re getting the most out of your technology, from improving your broadband connection to speeding up slow computers. As a result, working with an MSP improves levels of productivity and seamless and optimised operations.

Greater cost-efficiency

It might seem counter intuitive to hire a managed IT service to cut company costs, but it’s an effective option for many reasons.

Hiring and supporting a qualified in-house IT team can be an expensive business, as can acquiring space on site for them to work, and for on-premises equipment such as servers. Outsourcing your IT needs negates not just the lengthy hiring process – time is money – but also means you are only paying for the tasks needed. You won’t have to consider holiday and sick pay or PAYE requirements.

When you lack internal IT support and a technical problem occurs, you’ll need reactive maintenance to fix it. When you require immediate assistance in an emergency, it is far more expensive, and any delay in response can result in your systems remaining offline, with business processes grinding to a halt at considerable cost.

Managed IT services take a proactive approach, and monitor systems for issues and resolve them before they become a bigger problem. Additionally, if required, onsite call out fees are often included in monthly payments.

Predictable monthly costs

A managed IT service can make it easier for companies to budget.

Services are provided at a fixed monthly cost, so firms can plan for the expense in their annual accounting. No hidden costs exist, and when companies opt for a full service, they also benefit from on-site call outs at no extra charge.

Fosters employee well-being

When your staff know that expert technical help is available whenever they need it, the result is a comfortable working environment that enhances a sense of wellbeing.

When your employees work remotely or as hybrid workers, a managed IT service can also ensure that they have all the tools and secure access they need to carry out their role properly, without stress.

Improved user experience

Nothing is more frustrating than an IT issue you can’t fix.

Whether it’s a computer that takes ages to start up, or an internet connection that keeps freezing, IT problems can have a substantial impact on how people work.

A managed service is on hand to help, and can fix such issues quickly, ensuring employees can carry out their role easier. However, MSPs can also optimise devices, systems and networks to help staff work faster and be more productive.

Allows for innovation and agility

With all IT processes handled by a managed IT service, companies have more time to focus on growing their business, but MSPs facilitate this process.

Recommending, sourcing and setting up innovative technologies, MSPs can streamline a firm’s operation, helping them to work with greater agility, and allowing them to compete at the forefront of their field.

Optimises uptime

Disruption to IT services can have serious consequences.

When your staff can’t use operating systems or applications, their ability to complete daily duties can be forfeited. As well as this, inoperative email and phone systems, or websites that go offline, can seriously harm a firm’s relationship with its customers and partners.

Through preventative maintenance, managed IT services use watchdog systems for issues, and apply fixes before they require extensive downtime. When systems and applications require updates that can slow daily processes, MSPs consult companies and schedule tasks for quieter times, like after office hours or during weekends, to maximise uptime.

Driving business continuity

Various threats can impact a company’s IT process and business continuity.

From natural forces like extreme weather, to man-made disasters caused by malicious cyber-attacks, harmful incidents can knock out a company’s IT systems and make data and devices inaccessible. Managed services can help companies remain resilient and able to get back online and functioning properly, fast.

Enables access to latest technology

When companies invest in computer equipment, it always has a shelf-life.

Eventually, devices become outdated, and performance is impacted, affecting how a firm competes. At this point, a fresh investment is required at increased and often unexpected cost.

By using a managed IT service, companies always have access to the latest technology available, ensuring they can match their rivals and retain their reputation for being a modern business that hasn’t fallen behind the times.

MSPs can also help companies keep track of the technology they use with annual audits, and identify older IT solutions that require replacing before they start to become an issue. It isn’t always easy to know what type of equipment is best for your firm, but a managed service can help companies explore all the options and understand their pros and cons. This can help them to make an informed decision, but firms can also leave such tasks to MSPs, and trust them to select the best option for their needs.

Adopting new technology can be scary for firms unfamiliar with digital transformation, but MSPs can help. Explaining solutions in clear language that is easy to understand, they can handle complex process on behalf of businesses, taking the worry out of large IT projects.

Increased security

Cybersecurity and data security are important concerns for all companies operating today.

As data handlers, enterprise owners have a duty of care for the personal information they use, store and share. If they fail to safeguard the data belonging to their employees, clients and partners, they can face heavy fines from regulators.

As experts in security, managed IT services can help firms put protocols and protective measures in place to ensure their systems and data remain safe from cybercriminal activity and accidental data loss.

Enterprise-grade antivirus is often included in a managed IT service, and ensures computers stay free from infection, but MSPs will also keep operating systems and applications updated with security patches applied to fix critical vulnerabilities. They can also help firms keep their email systems protected against attack with options like mail filters, and advise on best practices for passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) adoption.

The risk of cybersecurity threats can be extremely stressful for SMEs, but with a managed IT service, they can enjoy premier levels of peace of mind that their systems are being watchdogged by experts.

Enriched service levels

Finally, firms can appreciate a higher level of service with an MSP on board.

Working closely with the companies they serve, managed IT services understand the unique aims and needs of their clients. As a result, they can supply more personalised services that perfectly complement the way a company operates.

Are you ready to explore the advantages of managed IT services first-hand?

At 127 Solutions, we offer different packages of support, so you never pay for services you don’t need.

You might require support for your internal IT team, or seek a comprehensive solution with our expert engineers handling all your IT needs, but either way, we have packages to match.

We take pride in our managed IT service, which has seen our clients honour us by placing total trust in our team to keep them operating efficiently. We offer rapid response times, ensuing a quick resolution to IT issues that get firms up and running fast when a problem arises.

While many of our clients are in the Northwest of England, our online managed IT services allow us to supply assistance to companies based anywhere. If you would like to learn more about what our managed IT services can do for your firm, reach out to our team at 127 Solutions today.