As businesses adopt more and more technology, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep up with the maintenance and management of this technology.
Many types of risks come along with not keeping up with technology, including data breaches, downtime, and compliance issues. There are also costly and time-consuming processes associated with managing technology, such as maintenance, repairs, and monitoring.
Here is what you need to know about what a managed service provider (MSP) is and how it can add value to your company by helping you offload the management of technology.
What Is a Managed Service Provider?
A managed service provider (MSP) is a company that provides IT-related services on a contract or subscription basis. Typically, an MSP manages and assumes responsibility for proactive monitoring, management, and/or problem resolution of IT systems and infrastructure on behalf of its clients.
MSPs can provide their services within the framework of ITIL best practices. The goal of an MSP is to improve an organization’s IT operations and reduce its costs. In some cases, an MSP may also provide consulting services or project-based services in addition to its managed IT support.
How Can a Managed Service Provider Help Your Company?
The answer to this question depends on a number of factors, including the specific services an MSP can provide, the size and complexity of your company’s IT infrastructure, and your company’s overall business goals. However, in general, an MSP can add value to your company in several ways:
By improving the efficiency of your IT operations
An MSP can help you improve the efficiency of your IT operations by taking on some or all of the tasks associated with managing your technology. This can free up your staff to focus on other tasks and help you avoid the mistakes that can come from inexperience.
By strengthening cybersecurity strategies
Cybersecurity is a top concern for businesses of all sizes. In the first half of 2021, there were 304.7 million ransomware attacks globally. An MSP can help you strengthen your cybersecurity strategies by providing services such as intrusion detection, malware removal, encryption, patch management, and more.
By reducing the costs of your IT operations
An MSP can help you reduce the costs of your IT operations by economies of scale and by providing services on a subscription basis. One study found that 50% of businesses that used MSPs saved anywhere from 1-24% in their IT costs.
By providing expert staff to supplement your in-house IT team
MSPs can provide expert staff to supplement your in-house IT team. This can be helpful if you need to add specialized expertise to your team or if you have a high turnover rate in your IT department.
By implementing disaster planning and data backup plans
In a study conducted in the US, researchers found that only 54% of businesses have a disaster recovery plan. This percentage is concerning, but an MSP can help implement disaster planning and data backup plans to keep your data safe and help avoid the costly disruptions that can come from data loss or unexpected downtime.
In order to realize these benefits, it is important to choose an MSP that is a good fit for your company. When evaluating potential MSPs, you should consider factors such as the company’s size, areas of expertise, geographical coverage, and customer service capabilities.
Partner with Unity IT
At Unity IT, our team of IT experts will work closely with you to understand your unique needs and develop a customized managed IT support solution that fits those needs perfectly. Our services are designed to boost your business efficiency and bottom line while freeing up your staff to focus on more important areas of your company.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your business grow!