Businesses benefit from managed services providers (MSPs) when they can concentrate on their innovation and reduce unexpected expenses.
In every industry, organizations are discovering how technology can help them reach their goals. A retailer, for instance, uses beacons to send targeted marketing messages to customers depending on the position of the customer inside the store. Through the use of technology, hospitals can track patients and learn about their experiences, which reduces readmission rates. Mobile apps are used by airlines to streamline check-in, and by sports teams to boost attendance.
In addition to presenting new opportunities for enterprises, new technologies also pose challenges. IT is undergoing unprecedented change. A long list of approved applications and a single operating system are no longer enough to standardize on within IT departments. It is no secret that mobile devices and cloud-based technologies have brought tremendous opportunity, but also introduced a range of devices, platforms, apps, and device management challenges.
These challenges can result in significant expenses for many organizations: hiring and training qualified employees, purchasing the infrastructure necessary to support emerging technologies, and keeping the systems secure. Many organizations are turning to managed services providers for help rather than trying to keep up with technological changes. When organizations entrust a third party like UpTime365, with cloud deployments, data center solutions, wireless & mobility initiatives, collaboration tools, and security, organizations are able to focus on their core objectives.
A managed service provider provides IT services as a whole, resulting in a much higher standard than can often be achieved in-house.
They also provide ongoing maintenance and management for the underlying infrastructure, along with end-user support and service guarantees.
A year after managed IT services first became popular, over half of organizations used them. It is possible to cut IT costs by 40 percent while doubling business efficiency by using managed services.
Trusting an MSP partner offers a number of advantages, including:
1. Reducing IT staffing
The majority of IT departments are overburdened. Managing back-end functions and complex, rapidly evolving technologies allow organizations to focus their in-house expertise on primary objectives and promote innovation.
2. Maintaining IT expertise
Companies around the world are having difficulty filling IT positions, particularly in the field of mobile app development and cyber security. The pressure of performing these functions is reduced by outsourcing them to a partner who has technically skilled and specialized engineers in new and emerging technologies.
3. The ability to scale
IT shops invest months – or even years – deploying massive systems. The majority of organizations find it more effective to start small, move quickly, then expand as needed. UpTime365’s modular approach to managed services enables enterprises to scale up or down as their requirements change, for instance, a retailer expanding capacity for the holiday season or a startup experiencing rapid growth.
4. Our services are available 24/7
It is no longer relevant today to work 9 to 5 like the old phone booth. Users need a network that can work around the clock as well. With managed services, support is available 24×7 – including weekends, nights, and holidays.
5. The burden of compliance is shifting
Most organizations are also obligated to comply with standards and requirements with their IT initiatives in addition to regular audits. Healthcare laws like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, PCI DSS, and Sarbanes-Oxley Act set privacy and security standards in healthcare, education, financial services and retail. UpTime365 understands the regulations that organizations must comply with and can provide the system, processes, and reports that organizations can use to ensure they are meeting their obligations — even if they don’t have the resources to do so.
6. Costs are predictable every month
Peripheral costs are inherent in any IT purchase. Having an adequate network, storage, and security is vital for organizations. Personnel must be trained, equipment deployed, and management of equipment required. There are always going to be unexpected costs. With managed services, organizations can reduce their expenditures by breaking down their costs into fixed monthly payments as opposed to the large capital expenditures that come with managing systems in-house.
Signs that Managed Services Can Improve Operations
A backlog of user requests and a constant lack of new projects are obvious signs that it’s time to look into managed services, especially for a provider that can deliver meaningful benefits.
Clearly defining requirements and improvements expected ahead of selecting a technology partner is vital. They could, for example, implement network coverage for off hours or offer a mobile tracking platform like competitors do.
The operational team should inquire how prospective providers propose to accomplish these objectives. It is a good idea to avoid providers who only talk about their own unique features – the technology they use, their processes, the quality of the engineering resources they have available – instead of emphasizing the goals of the organization.
A provider’s level of experience is also an important consideration. With the pace of change in technology, it’s important for organizations to find a partner that can meet their needs today and in the future.
Want to learn more about what we offer? Contact us today to see how we can help.
