Why Managed IT Is Exactly What SMEs Need

For most SMEs, basic IT infrastructure falls into much the same category as basic utilities and facilities. It’s something which needs to be in place for your staff to be able to get on with their proper jobs.

To explain further why Managed IT services take the pain out of keeping IT running, Luke Watts, Directing Manager of RoundWorks IT shares insights into why SME’s could benefit from Managed IT Support.

The basics of managed IT services

Managed IT services take care of everyday IT tasks. Depending on a company’s needs, wants and budget, they can do anything from helping out in-house IT staff to managing the whole IT infrastructure. A lot of managed IT services companies can also offer value-add services. These can include break/fix support, help with ad hoc projects and staff training.

Unlike many other outsourcing services, managed IT service providers often work in close partnership with their clients. For example, they’ll make sure that their clients are aware of relevant developments in IT. They’ll also get involved with IT-planning decisions. Some managed IT services providers will even manage third-party vendors on behalf of their clients.

Maximizing cybersecurity

Up until fairly recently, companies have typically moved towards managed IT for convenience and cost savings. These can both be significant. Recently, however, companies, particularly SMEs, have come to realize just how much using managed IT services can benefit their cybersecurity.

There are three main ways managed IT service providers improve security. The first is by ensuring that companies keep their security processes up-to-date. The second is by ensuring that security-related tasks are done both promptly and effectively. For example, a managed IT service provider will make sure that devices are updated when they should be.

The third is by implementing 24/7 remote monitoring. This is now essential to genuinely robust security but it is already way beyond the resources of the average SME. What’s more, security monitoring is likely to become far more challenging over time as cyberattackers use increasingly sophisticated tactics.

Managed IT services providers will also keep security in mind when implementing other business processes. For example, they will advise their clients on how to back up their data so that it stays safe from ransomware but remains accessible in a suitable time-frame. This is critical to GDPR compliance and hence should be a major consideration.

Ensuring consistent service

In Nottingham, salaries for service desk analysts currently stand at around £20KPA to £25KPA. Those analysts will, however, need time off work for various reasons. This means that their work will need to be covered by someone else.

That means either you have to hire enough staff to be sure that there is always sufficient cover or you have to hire agency staff. Very few SMEs are likely to be able to justify hiring enough in-house staff to ensure that there is always cover no matter what. This means that they’re probably going to end up paying agency rates.

If, however, SMEs use managed IT services, then all staff-management issues become the provider’s concern. The SME just pays a pre-agreed bill and is guaranteed continuity of service no matter what.

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