As we kick off the new year, we want to dive into the why and how of managed services. While some businesses might be ready to replace their existing MSP, others may be exploring managed services for the first time. We want to help by answering your questions, such as:
- Is my organization ready for managed services?
- What should we expect when we onboard with an MSP?
- What are signs we need a new MSP partner?
- What about [insert concern about migrating to a new MSP here]?
Our goal is to help you navigate the many choices for outsourced IT support and discover the right fit for your business. Let's start with a common question: How do we know if we need managed services?
Transitioning to managed IT services is a strategic decision that can transform how your organization approaches technology. By outsourcing IT operations to a managed services provider (MSP), businesses gain access to proactive support, improved security, and tailored technology solutions that are thoughtfully aligned with business goals. Below, we outline common indicators that it might be time to embrace managed services.
You're Spending Too Much Time on IT Issues
If your leadership or management team is frequently pulled into solving IT problems, that's a clear sign that managed services could help. Instead of reacting to issues and suffering through the distraction and frustration of unexpected downtime or other IT hiccups, your business can partner with an MSP that will shoulder the responsibility of proactive monitoring and maintenance as well as rapid issue resolution, freeing up your team to focus on core business activities.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
- How often do IT issues disrupt our daily operations?
- Are we spending more time fixing problems than planning for the future?
- Does IT downtime or other technical issues impact our productivity or customer service?
IT Costs Are Unpredictable
Unplanned expenses, such as emergency repairs, hardware failures, or unexpected software needs, can strain your budget – more so if you are a small to mid-sized business. Managed services are offered in a subscription model with a predictable monthly fee, helping you better control costs while ensuring your IT infrastructure is maintained. Additionally, there are often hidden expenses tied to IT problems, such as lost productivity and even lost customers, which can further derail company finances. On top of that, a reputable managed IT provider will collaborate with you to build out a long-term technology roadmap that further reduces the number of budgetary surprises.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
- Would a clear, consistent monthly technology fee help with budgeting?
- How often do unexpected technology expenses strain our finances?
- Has an IT problem ever led our organization to shut down or offer "make goods" to customers?
Security Is Overwhelming
As one of our clients shared in a recent case study, trying to manage cybersecurity was overwhelming to their law practice staff – they simply didn't know where to start. However, with today's threat landscape, maintaining a secure IT environment is critical. If your organization struggles to keep up with security patches, compliance requirements, or threat management, an MSP's expertise can provide peace of mind.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
- Do we have the internal cybersecurity expertise to fully protect our data and employees?
- Do we have a schedule for applying software patches or updates?
- Do we understand the cybersecurity steps necessary to comply with industry regulations?
- Do we have a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy?
You Don't Have Dedicated IT Staff
Most small and mid-sized businesses lack a dedicated IT person. Instead, they rely on an already-busy employee to handle technology needs. This approach can lead to burnout and gaps in coverage, not to mention frustration for those employees. Partnering with an MSP gives you access to a full team of experts without the cost of hiring in-house staff. In fact, research from a leading IT industry organization, CompTIA, shows most businesses actually save as much as 25% or more on IT expense when they leverage an MSP.
While some very small businesses may not be ready for managed services (Exigent clients usually start at about 15-20 employees and can be as big as 250 users), once you've grown large enough to need a more complex environment with multiple servers or workstations and start holding sensitive data such as payment information, you are a great candidate.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
- Are we relying on non-IT employees to solve technical problems?
- Is a slow response to technology issues impacting productivity?
- Do we keep sensitive data such as confidential information, personal details such as Social Security numbers, or financial data such as credit card numbers?
- Can we afford to hire multiple experts to gain full technology coverage for all our needs?
You Need to Focus on Strategic Goals
Exigent calls out the key role tech plays in business success right in its mission statement – IT should be a tool for success. If you're spending more time putting out tech fires than on innovation or growth, an MSP can refocus your business efforts by managing day-to-day IT operations. For those companies with IT staff, a co-managed partnership can allow staff to focus on projects or innovation while an MSP handles daily issues.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
- Are IT challenges distracting us from strategic planning?
- Do we have the resources and expertise to support our growing IT needs?
- Do we know how technology could accelerate our success?
- Do we have an IT roadmap that aligns technology investments with business goals?
- Are our current systems equipped to handle expansion?
You Want to Leverage New Technology
If your business is poised for growth, you are likely looking for innovative technology to fuel that expansion. From cloud computing to automation, emerging technologies can improve efficiency and create a competitive edge. An MSP can help you evaluate and implement cutting-edge IT solutions.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
- Do we know what technology might help scale our business?
- Could emerging technologies create a competitive advantage for our business?
- Who will handle the implementation of new technologies, such as planning for cloud migrations or deploying IoT solutions?
- Do we have a reliable source of information about emerging technologies?
Making the Transition to Managed Services
If these scenarios sound familiar, it might be time to consider partnering with an MSP. Transitioning to managed services can feel like a big step, but with the right provider, the process is seamless. Look for an MSP that offers tailored solutions, white-glove onboarding, and a proactive approach to ensure that your IT supports—and enhances—your business goals. A reputable MSP will provide a proven onboarding roadmap and a dedicated resource to guide you through the process.
At Exigent Technologies, we specialize in helping businesses transition to managed IT services with minimal disruption and maximum impact. Ready to explore your options? Contact us today to see how our Assurance Managed Services can empower your organization to focus on what you do best.
Still have questions? Download our free ebook for more guidance and answers to FAQs about managed services.