Managed network service providers take the place of full-time IT staff or act as a supplement to an organization’s existing IT department. By working with a managed network service provider, a company is outsourcing its IT network support needs and management to a third-party provider. Service providers strive to improve daily business operations by putting network operations in the hands of licensed technicians, allowing business leaders to focus on other tasks.
Every managed network service provider is unique in the sense that they all bring something different to the table. Some provide a full package of services from data storage to disaster recovery while others specialize in regular maintenance and security monitoring. Managed network service providers offer service contracts that typically run on an annual or multi-year basis. Pricing can be based on the specific level of support, number of locations, the particular type of service being provided, and more.
Managed network service providers operate remotely, remaining in their own offices and facilities rather than working in-house. Service providers come in all shapes and sizes from a small business to global enterprise. One of the biggest benefits of managed IT services is that outsourcing allows organizations of all sizes to gain the knowledge and expertise that larger enterprises have. Keep reading to learn about additional advantages of outsourcing to a managed network service provider:
Minimize Risk
Every business investment has some level of risk, as markets and industries are always changing and developing at a rapid rate. When you start working with a managed network service provider, they will assume much of the risk for you. With their specific industry knowledge and experience, especially with security and compliance issues, managed network providers know how to avoid risk.
One of the biggest advantages of managed network services is front row access to new technology. When you’re managing your own IT solutions, it can be a challenge to get your hands on the latest gadgets since there is always a risk in investing. With a managed service provider, you will be able to access the latest technology and start new projects quickly, saving time and money. An outsourced IT company will have first dibs on these tools, which means you will have early access without having to pay more.
Reduce and Control Expenses
When you’re managing IT on your own, identifying where your costs are coming from and figuring out how they add up can be a challenge. A managed service provider will be able to give you a line-by-line breakdown of where your expenses are coming from based on your IT needs. Also, your expenses will become controlled and more predictable as working with a managed service provider will take your expenses and turn them into a fixed cost expense.
Outsourcing IT gives you the opportunity to have greater control over your network expenses, but it will also give you the power to reduce your costs. The cost of hiring and training IT staff, updates, tools and other resources all add up. Managed network support providers will allow you to place all of those investments under one umbrella, thus lowering your IT bill. A poll by CompTIA revealed that nearly 50% of all organizations who use managed service providers report having reduced their annual budgets by at least 25%.
Enhance Security
According to a survey of over 4,000 organizations, 70% reported not being prepared for a cyber attack. Meanwhile, IBM estimates that that businesses are attacked by cybercriminals an average of 16,858 times a year. With cybercrime on the rise, it’s critical that businesses of all sizes implement some form of IT security to protect their infrastructure and sensitive data. By working with a managed network service provider, you will be able to work with experts to strengthen your security for the entire voice and data network. The majority of managed service providers offer software and various products to protect your organization from malware, viruses, spam, and other vessels of cybercrime.
By outsourcing your IT to a managed service provider, you will minimize the risk of falling victim to a security breach.
Streamline Productivity
When you’re distracted by network downtime, how much time and attention is actually being focused on running your organization? The biggest advantage is that the service allows you to focus on making your organization the best it can be while the service providers deal with the rest. Businesses have limited resources, and every business leader has limited time and attention. An organization can only meet its highest potential when its networks are fully operational.
If any of these benefits and services sound like they would make a great difference in your organization, then managed network services is definitely something to consider. Outsourcing your IT to a managed network expert has many advantages. It serves as a way to control and reduce your spending, boost your organization’s daily productivity and most importantly, secure your data and network infrastructure. Partnering with an experienced managed service provider will take the weight of complex IT issues off your shoulders and allow you to focus on what’s most important: helping your business advance to its highest potential.
If you’re looking for a managed network service provider with years of experience and expertise, you’re looking for Advanced Business Systems. We offer a total service solution for managing your office network, including network and server administration, data services storage, continuous monitoring, software support and maintenance, and much more. Reach out to us today to learn more about how we can design, implement, and support the best network solution for your IT needs.