Businesses of all sizes rely on technology to complete tasks, communicate, collaborate, and generate revenue. Desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones enable team members to work harmoniously even when they’re in different countries.
But setting up an IT infrastructure and managing it is often complex. That’s why countless companies across Canada outsource their IT and leave it in the hands of trained experts. Managed IT services can make running and growing a business much easier, with a number of key benefits.
Saving money and boosting efficiency are two of the most important, but what other advantages do managed services offer? In this post, we’ll look at the four benefits of managed services that every business should know.
Managed IT Services Advantages
Here are the four main advantages of managed services:
Save Money
Saving money is one of the biggest and best reasons to switch to managed IT services.
All businesses, regardless of scale, need to manage finances carefully and operate in a cost-effective way. That includes building and maintaining a robust IT infrastructure.
Businesses that rely on in-house, full-time IT support need to cover the associated salaries, training, and overheads. Hiring the most qualified personnel in the local talent pool can be particularly costly, especially if they have years of experience. The cost of bringing them into your business and paying them what they deserve could take a sizable chunk out of your budget.
And let’s not forget the expense of equipping your in-house team with the technology they need to work at their best. Buying and updating hardware and software always incurs high costs.
But managed IT services are a more cost-effective solution. You can depend on the technical support and expertise to keep your business operating without hiring one or more full-time employees. You’ll enjoy total peace of mind knowing that you have specialists on call in an emergency, without stressing over the associated costs of an in-house team.
On top of all that, you don’t need to pay to kit out your office with cutting-edge hardware and software. That’s all included in your tailored package.
Increase Efficiency
Finding new ways to boost efficiency and make the most of your office hours is crucial to take your business further. Working with a managed IT services provider will empower you and your workforce to do more in less time.
How? A seasoned team of specialists will:
Offer invaluable advice and guidance on building a strong IT infrastructure.
Equip you with the right software for your operational needs, helping you automate some processes and streamline others.
Ensure that your systems perform optimally, minimizing the risk of technical issues that could slow or even halt your work.
As a result, your employees can focus on completing their core tasks and take advantage of technology that runs smoothly each day. They won’t waste time waiting for outdated computers to run brand-new software properly or trying to fix a printer themselves. You’ll always have IT pros on hand to help you get the most out of your equipment.
A Proactive Approach to Security
Cybersecurity is a fundamental element of managed IT services. In Canada, it’s estimated that cybercrime caused more than $3 billion in monetary damage in 2023 alone. And that’s expected to rise to more than $4.7 billion by 2028.
Every business needs to implement the latest cybersecurity measures to protect their IT infrastructure from external (and even internal) threats. Some of the most common cybersecurity risks affecting Canadian businesses are:
Ransomware attacks (costing more than $1 million on average)
SQL injections
Malware
Phishing scams
Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks
Securing your business against these and other threats is a serious challenge, particularly if you have limited resources. But working with a managed IT services team will help you stay safe from a wide range of cyber attacks.
They will take a proactive approach and incorporate best-in-class software to protect your network. A reputable team will also monitor your network to identify unusual activity that could signal an impending attack, then take action to contain the threat as soon as possible.
Avoid Expensive Downtime and Loss of Income
Downtime can be a critical problem for businesses. Whether a cyber attack cripples your infrastructure or a flood destroys your office, an unexpected disaster could prevent you from operating as usual.
Even if that only lasts for a few days, you could miss out on invaluable revenue and lose customer trust. But if downtime is drawn out for weeks, the damage may be much more severe.
However, managed IT solutions have the power to help you avoid downtime and stay on track even if your office is destroyed or your systems go down. That’s where state-of-the-art backup and recovery solutions come in.
Backing up data in the cloud, safely and securely, ensures that you and your team can keep working outside of your established routine. You may not be able to get into your office and use your usual computer, but you can still access key files and software as needed. All you’ll need is a device with an internet connection and the necessary logins.
Your provider will help you set up the necessary permissions to protect sensitive data in the cloud. That’s vital to guarantee that only authorized personnel can view and edit the most important files.
Start Working with Your Local Managed IT Services Experts
NETWORTH offers dedicated managed IT services in the Greater Toronto and Southern Ontario area. With our comprehensive solutions, we have helped small and medium businesses improve their efficiency, save money, and operate at a higher standard.
Our specialists will build the ideal package for your business, operations, and budget. We’ll take a close look at your current IT infrastructure, identify weak points, and provide you with the right setup. You can work at your best without the distraction of managing your own IT infrastructure, and relax knowing that it’s safe in our hands.
If you want to know more about our managed IT solutions and how they can help you, contact NETWORTH today.