Optimizing Workflow and Productivity: How Managed IT Services Can Benefit Your Business
Any business that wishes to maximize profits will need to maintain and increase productivity. But, when systems fail, or there are bottlenecks, productivity suffers.
Out-of-date software and network outages can impact productivity and profits significantly. In fact, research from the Ponemon Institute shows that the average cost of downtime is $9,000. That is the cost, every minute, to a business when they have a system outage.
That means that any time a company suffers from downtime, they lose about $500,000 per hour on average. Maximizing uptime requires skilled IT staff, and many businesses are choosing managed services to provide this.
How might managed IT services help your business?
Many businesses are opting for outsourcing and MSPs to help maintain their IT networks and systems today, for several reasons.
As you have already read, downtime in any business is extremely costly, and hiring local IT services can mitigate this risk. But, what else can MSPs offer, and will they increase productivity and workflow in your business?
Here are 8 ways that employing, say, San Diego managed IT services for your business will benefit you.
1 Round the clock service
One of the main benefits of using IT MSPs is their availability. You can expect an MSP to be available 24/7 meaning any network problems will be dealt with swiftly. And as your MSP will be monitoring your systems, they will normally spot any potential issue before it becomes serious.
2 You can scale up or down effortlessly
Businesses can grow with efficiency when their infrastructure is scalable. A scalable company will be able to expand and remain efficient while doing so. MSPs will be able to scale along with your business, as you only use the services you require.
So, if you experience growth you can expect the MSP to scale with you.
3 Increased efficiency and productivity
Your MSP will be set on making sure there is continuity in your business. They will maximize uptime, and back up data so you can restore systems immediately upon any outage.
Ideally, you should look for an MSP that has a proactive attitude toward IT maintenance. This means that they search for problems and fix them before they have time to manifest into network failures or data breaches.
4 Increased security and reduced risk
The constant monitoring of your network means that the MSP should spot any security weaknesses and deal with them swiftly. There are many signs that you need cybersecurity, and one is that you store sensitive data.
An MSP will help you to remain compliant, and adhere to data protection rules by safeguarding against data breaches and hackers.
5 Access to talent and experience
Any employer will be keen to cast their net far and wide when looking for new employees, and using an MSP will let you get the best talent available. One of the perks of contracting IT support services is access to the latest technology, and skilled workers, without any major investment or recruitment.
6 You will always have IT support
Not only will your IT MSP look after your network 24/7, but there will always be support. If you employ technicians on-site then you will have to provide vacation time and expect absenteeism on occasion. Staff turnover will impact your business’s productivity also. But, your MSP will always be able to provide you with an IT technician to keep your networks safe and running.
7 Outsource tasks and save time
Outsourcing is commonly seen as a practical solution for business functions today. Even small businesses are outsourcing payroll and HR amongst other functions.
Outsourcing means that a company will not need to employ as many in-house staff. Outsourcing various aspects of a business will be financially beneficial.
You will also save time because you won’t have to cover any of the functions that you outsource, and thus you will cut costs there.
8 Cut costs
Most of the world is experiencing high inflation, rising mortgage rates, and a cost of living crisis. For businesses to stay profitable, they must run efficiently.
MSPs will keep all of your IT needs covered, without the need to employ an internal IT department. If you employ a member of staff to cover IT functions, you will have to consider training, benefits, and salary. Plus they won’t always be at hand.
Unlike MSPs, you can’t expect your staff to look after your networks round the clock, meaning that you are likely to suffer an expensive outage at some point or other.
Summary
Through software updates, system monitoring, disaster recovery, and cybersecurity, an IT MSP can help a business to operate efficiently, and importantly, improve productivity.
Staff will be given the tools they need to perform their tasks, and they will be free to do so as the MSP covers all IT demands.
