Sign you should hire a managed IT service provider

Outsourcing your IT services is an excellent way to bridge the IT skills gap that many businesses face.

Managed service providers have emerged as the preferred IT model for organisations of all sizes. They provide advanced support, security, and proactive maintenance that most businesses cannot afford in-house.

In this blog, we'll look at indications that your company would benefit from hiring a managed IT services provider.

Sign you should outsource the IT support: -

You’ve been hacked

You are not alone if your company has been a victim of ransomware, malware, phishing, or denial of service (DoS) attacks. Fear and uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Interpol, have resulted in a "alarming" rate of cyberattacks.

Worse, 40% of IT leaders say cybersecurity positions are the most difficult to fill. Most businesses are scrambling to keep up with security advancements due to a lack of qualified, experienced cybersecurity personnel, putting them at risk for recurring hacks.

Working with a managed IT services provider who is up to date on the latest cybersecurity advances protects you – and your sensitive data.

Your IT costs are Incredibly high

If you rely on the pay-as-you-go or break-fix model for IT support, you're probably overpaying. It is, by definition, a reactive rather than proactive approach to information technology, with no ongoing or preventative management.

Unexpected expenses can occur at any time. If you only get help when there's a problem, you've probably already lost revenue, productivity, and uptime. Regular maintenance is far less expensive than break-fix or a total overhaul of your IT infrastructure.

One of the advantages of outsourcing IT to a managed services provider is that fixed monthly costs are preferable to costly, unpredictability in emergencies.

You have limited IT staff

The only constant in the IT world is change. You will fall behind if you are not focused on technological advancements. And, as technology advances at an ever-increasing rate, falling behind can be disastrous to your business.

In a closed environment, it's easy for in-house IT staff to become isolated or complacent. Managed service providers who work with a variety of clients are exposed to the most recent real-world IT issues and solutions.

Furthermore, Managed service provider are constantly investing in education, training, and tools to better serve their clients. This responsibility holds them accountable for staying current on technological advancements. Reputable managed service provider has years of technical expertise that most small businesses cannot afford to hire full-time.

You require extra support for remote employees

As a result of COVID-19, many businesses have moved to remote work environments. Companies have recognised that supporting remote workers presents unique challenges for which they were unprepared.

While remote IT support tools are available, your IT staff may be too preoccupied to use them. The learning curve for mastering remote access software can be steep, preventing your IT staff from providing your employees with the quality support they require.

Managed service providers can recommend, install, and support remote access software, allowing your remote workers to quickly get up to speed and back to work.

You need help in migrating

Migrating from one system to another can be challenging. Migration can cause significant downtime, data loss, and security breaches if done incorrectly.

Fortunately, the advantages of migration outweigh the disadvantages. Switching to new technology typically results in cost savings, increased security, increased productivity, and improved scalability.

This process can be managed by an expert managed services provider, ensuring that your migration is completed safely and securely. They will analyse your current systems and collaborate with you to develop the best migration strategy for your company.

You want to grow strategically

If your company is expanding, you must proceed with caution in order to build technology and systems that scale efficiently to meet your objectives.

An IT strategy lays out a clear plan for where you want to go and how technology investments can help you get there.

A managed services provider will look at the big picture. They will not only consider your current needs, but will also assist you in developing a plan that includes future improvements and growth.

You’re experiencing excessive downtime

Any experienced IT department's overall objective is to "get up, stay up!" Downtime is a business killer that no one wants to experience.

System availability is typically aimed for "5 nines uptime," which means that a computer system or network is fully operational 99.999 percent of the time, equating to less than 6 minutes of downtime per year.

If your IT staff is struggling to meet this standard, a seasoned managed services provider can provide the expertise you require.

You need help desk support

When you think of a managed IT service provider, the first thing that comes to mind is probably help desk support. While managed service providers provide so much more, user support cannot be overlooked.

It is entirely up to you how much assistance you require. Many businesses discover that outsourcing routine support to a service partner frees up IT staff to work on larger projects. Having a dedicated help desk results in faster response times, higher productivity, and happier employees.

Managed service providers can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing you with coverage that you may not have had previously.

You lack hardware, software and system monitoring

Despite the old saying, sometimes something is broken and must be repaired! And, while we're on the subject, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure — especially at today's prices.

Most cyber threats can be avoided with regular IT maintenance and effective patch management. According to studies, 60 percent of data breaches involved vulnerabilities for which a patch was available but was not used. You're putting your IT environment at risk if you don't perform routine maintenance.

Outsourcing monitoring and maintenance to a managed service provider can be a lifesaver, identifying issues and potential threats before they become critical. A network IT assessment is an excellent first step in determining the current state of your system's health.

You’re out of compliance

If you work in an industry that requires regulatory compliance, make sure you're adhering to mandatory guidelines in addition to your IT requirements.

Some standard compliance regulations that specific industries must follow are as follows:

By entrusting regulatory compliance issues to a qualified managed service provider specialising in compliance, you reduce the risk of violating rules pertaining to credit card numbers, client data, competitive information, and other sensitive information.

You need to implement security policies

As your technology advances, enforcing security policies becomes increasingly important in order to maintain compliance and ensure data safety. Device management, application sprawl, and password theft can all endanger your company's survival if appropriate policies are not in place.

Outsourced cybersecurity experts can create and maintain policies that protect both your systems and your employees.

You crave peace of mind

Who can place a monetary value on peace of mind? If unresolved security issues keep you awake at night, the advantages of outsourcing IT services are incalculable.

From routine backup and recovery to thwarting hacking attempts, managed services providers allow you to (finally) relax, knowing that your critical needs are being met.

Things to think before engaging a managed IT service provider

Before you hire a managed IT services provider, there are a few things you should think about.

Experience

Have they worked in your industry or vertical before? What systems have they previously supported? Are you confident in their track record?

Case Studies and Testimonials

Can you get recommendations from current or former clients?

Cost

Do they necessitate contracts? Is their pricing in line with your financial constraints?

Expertise

Does their knowledge correspond to your requirements? What tools do they employ? Is their staff certified or credentialed to demonstrate their expertise?

Service prerequisites

Are they available 24 hours a day, seven days a week? Do they offer a service level agreement (SLA) to ensure accountability and performance standards?

Summary

Managed service providers allow you to outsource your IT support requirements to another company. Rather than investing in costly technology, infrastructure, and personnel, you can outsource the heavy lifting to a managed IT service provider. Working with a managed IT services provider like DoFort helps to secure your company's future. DoFort provides you with access to a skilled team of technical experts at a fraction of the cost. If you need to reduce downtime, improve security, reduce risk, and adhere to compliance guidelines, partnering with DoFort is a wise decision. DoFort is the best managed IT service provider. For more info contact us at info@doforttech.com