What is Managed I.T.?
What Is Managed I.T.
Managed I.T. is the services outsourced to a third-party which include the management of technology and other key I.T. maintenance responsibilities. This is usually done by a managed service provider.
A managed service provider (MSP), is a company that remotely manages its clients I.T. infrastructure. From their servers, firewalls, routers, switches, end-user systems, and so forth. When an end-user is experiencing a problem or has a question about their technology, they can call into their MSP’s help desk for support. When the problem can’t be handled remotely, a field service technician can come on-site and resolve the issue.
Think of the tasks that would be handled by your in-house I.T. professional, but instead, you have a whole team on your side plus a whole lot more.
A whole lot more meaning vendor management, computer and laptop refreshes, security monitoring, strategic planning…the list goes on.
Does My SMB Need Managed I.T. Services
There’s only so much time in a day. And as an SMB owner, you’ve got a lot on your plate without having to worry about problems with hardware, software, data security, internet connection, vendor management, compliance requirements, and so much more that encompasses your information technology (I.T.).
Here are a few good reasons why your SMB needs managed I.T. services:
Consistent and Proactive Support
Technology is known to fail at some point or another and when it does, who will you call on to fix it? Utilizing the managed I.T. services of your MSP, you will always have someone available to remedy your issue. Without an MSP, you may be waiting days for your in-house technician to come to your rescue. And no one has that kind of time to wait around. Not to mention, your in-house technician will probably go on vacation or be out sick at some point in the year, and then what?
Rather than fixing your problems after they happen, your team of I.T. experts can identify and resolve problems before they happen. This increases your overall efficiency as you won’t be slowed down when a server goes offline, a virus infects your network, or other incidents that keep your systems down and your employees unable to work.
Knowledgeable Team of I.T. Experts
A huge benefit to having an MSP handle your I.T. needs is that you are backed by a diverse and knowledgeable team of experts rather than just one or two internal staff members. You may think that having someone in-house is better because they are there every day and know your systems, however, one person can only know so much. Aside from only knowing so much, they can also only do so much in a day. Therefore, tasks will take one person longer to complete and they may not have the skills necessary to execute it successfully or in a timely manner.
Security and Peace of Mind
As mentioned earlier, proactive support means we can remedy problems before they happen. Along with server and desktop management, security and threat monitoring, and multiple backup locations you can leave worry out of your mind when it comes to the security of your business. That leaves you to only focus on running your business.
Faster Resolution Times
Again, more people means more hands on deck when it comes to resolving issues.
Stay Up to Date with Your Hardware
Not to mention, new hardware is not cheap. And needs to be replaced every four to five years. Which is why it’s often overlooked and upgrades are put on hold.
However, partnering with an MSP that includes hardware refreshes in your solution is a cost-effective way to stay up to date with your computers and laptops without breaking the bank and running the risks associated with outdated technology.
Reduced Labor and Operational Costs
Another reason your SMB needs managed I.T. services is to reduce the costs you would be spending on the on-boarding, training, and daily labor of one to two staff members. The video below highlights the cost breakdown of our managed I.T. services with that of other MSPs. You can then compare that monthly price to the monthly salaries of your one to two in-house I.T. professionals.
Managed I.T. at Omega Computer Services
What makes us any different than all the other MSPs out there?
All-Inclusive Technology Package
Earlier I mentioned that partnering with an MSP that includes hardware refreshes in your monthly price is a cost-effective way to not fall behind in our fast-paced digital world. With our full plan, you get just that every three years with no upfront cost to you. Making budgeting easier than ever. (Pretty cool, right?)
…It gets even better.
With our all-inclusive technology plan, you don’t have to worry about paying extra for projects, on-site visits, on-call tickets, or worry about the number of tickets you and your staff put in each month either.
All-inclusive really does mean all-inclusive.
You can find all of this in the video above too!
Local Service - Remote & On-Site
When you’re experiencing tech problems, you want minimal downtime and a fast resolution. Whether that resolution happens remotely or on-site, we pride ourselves on being local to Southwest Michigan and can offer our clients same-day on-site response for emergencies.
Using a local service can also help when it comes to already knowing about problems occurring in the area such as power outages, service outages, etc.
Not to mention, when you partner with an MSP that’s half-way around the world or even a state away it creates barriers. It’s harder to create relationships, visit your office, and know the area. Plus partnering locally saves time, money, and resources on traveling and shipping.
Strong, Inclusive, Customer-focused, Family-Style Culture
When looking for the right MSP to partner with or any business partnership, you want one that’s focused on your business needs and goals…not the other way around. What we do should naturally benefit your needs and vice versa. So you’re not just a conversion for sales.
As much as you probably enjoy recognizing a voice on the phone or a familiar face on-site, so do we. It’s important for us to build relationships with our clients, and we’ve done just that. From knowing which of our clients are Ohio Buckeyes fans (we may not agree with you on that one) to hosting Star Wars viewing parties for our clients and their families.
Remember, an MSP is a partnership, so find one that aligns with how you operate.
Your Next Steps
You’ve made it this far, so you must be thinking managed I.T. services are right for your business.
So, now what?
Lucky for you, we’ve put together a handy article on Buying Managed I.T. Services 101 that highlights areas you should consider when deciding between the right MSP to partner with.
Whether you don’t have anyone handling your I.T., problems are taken care of on an as-needed basis, or you have an in-house professional, managed I.T. services are likely a great asset to your business efficiency, security, ROI, and reputation.
To get more information on our managed I.T. services, fill out this short form and we will be in contact soon!
