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Learn All About Managed IT Solutions & How They Benefit Your Small Or Medium-Sized Business
September 2024
Running a small business in a competitive San Diego market can be a pretty lucrative journey, but, unfortunately, it is not always an easy one. In fact, unforeseen difficulties may appear at any given time, and disrupt or negatively impact your daily operations. One particular area that can easily become a challenge is information technology. It plays a key role in today’s business environment, and when your tech environment is not working properly, your employees can’t work either.
For a long time, IT within a company has been handled by a dedicated in-house department, however, this setup is not feasible any more, because technology has come a long way since its beginnings. It has expanded beyond its traditional break/fix model, and most in-house teams are not able to keep up pace with innovation. They tend to be more reactive than proactive, which negatively impacts business growth in digital world.
Table Of Contents:
1. What are Managed IT services?
2. Types of Managed IT solutions
3. Why your small business needs IT infrastructure management?
4. 7 MSP benefits for small & medium-sized businesses
5. Industries that need these services
6. The difference between managed and on-demand IT support
For this reason, consider outsourcing your IT tasks for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to Managed service providers (MSPs). Managed IT solutions include managed desktop services, managed server support, office network support, managed cybersecurity, and many more. For small businesses in San Diego, this is not just a luxury but a necessity. By utilizing these services you get to enjoy numerous benefits, such as reducing operational costs, outperforming the competition, boosting productivity, improved cyber security, high business alignment, cost-effective IT support, data compliance, and so on. Continue reading the article below to discover other advantages and how it will help your business prosper.
Transform Your Small Business In San Diego With Secure Networks’ Managed IT Services
With more than 17 years of experience as a reliable IT partner, here at Secure Networks, we are committed to helping small and medium-sized businesses like yours by providing managed IT services custom-tailored to ease your daily operations. By partnering with a managed service provider (MSP) like us, you will be able to focus on what matters most in your business – increasing profit margins and staying ahead of the competition. Our managed services include desktop support, server support, office network support, and cybersecurity. Our portfolio includes clients from many different industry sectors, such as hospitality, insurance, nonprofits, financial institutions, healthcare facilities, and many others. For more information on our services and how they can benefit you, give us a call at (858) 769-5393.
What Are Managed IT Services?
The term managed IT services denotes full or partial outsourcing of IT infrastructure management and business administration to a third party vendor who typically operates from a remote location.
It is the practice of migrating, implementing, maintaining, and upgrading complete network infrastructure, both software and hardware. This type of remote assistance is typically charged at a flat monthly rate, and ultimately saves money, time, and efforts for small enterprises. This type of computer support allows business owners to concentrate on expanding their business and having higher revenue yields.
Types Of Managed IT Services
MSPs typically provide a whole range of managed IT services to help small companies thrive and succeed. The services range from network security to data backup, and can include:Managed cloud services
Cloud management, also known as “cloud computing”, is remote hosting and files storing, as well as programs running on third-party hardware. It includes everything from migration and configuration to security and optimization. Cloud computing categories include service (IaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and others.Managed desktop support
Managed desktop support ensures complete functionality without disruptions or delays. Seasoned IT technicians are experienced in resolving problems quickly from a remote location, thus saving you time and money. OS installation, software configuration, scheduled maintenance, updates, data protection and backup, robust virus detection, and other vital elements ensure your system has superior performance and strategic optimizations.Managed security services
Research shows that almost half of all small businesses has suffered some kind of cyber-attack and data loss, which is why it is crucial to have cybersecurity experts work around the clock, protect your sensitive data, and have a recovery plan established. Managed security includes all techniques and strategies needed to maintain a safe and secure network environment, such as patching, malware protection, maintenance, application compatibility, antivirus protection, firewall integration and many others. Moreover, it ensures IT compliance standards (HIPAA or NIST).Managed server support
Servers are the most important part of the whole system. In order to keep the entire environment working in optimal condition, the servers must be meticulously maintained. Expert server care involves selecting the right server, server setup, configuration, regular update, remote monitoring, maintenance, robust backup, and disaster recovery processes. Continuous monitoring ensures addressing potential problems before they turn into a major issue and ensures uninterrupted business operation.Managed office network support
Flawless office network infrastructure is achieved by installing secure VPNs, VoIP phones, VLANs, switches, routers, remote access points, firewall configuration, and other elements that enable smooth and error-free networking.Why Your Small Business Needs IT Infrastructure Management?
Reliable technology is essential to remain competitive. In fact, IT systems are the backbone of every aspect of running a business, including communication, financial transactions, marketing, supply chain management, customer management, and so on. They make sure your website is up and running, they enable remote work, protect you from cyber-attacks, and so much more. In short, they ensure business success, regardless of its size or industry. As your business grows, you will notice how hard it can be to keep up-to-date with your company’s IT requirements. In-house IT teams may cost you a lot of money, but that’s not the only issue. Far worse for your company would be to have low-quality or insufficient IT personnel. It can obstruct your productivity and development and leave you vulnerable to cyber threats and financial losses. This is why outsourcing your IT needs to MSPs is the best solution for your company.7 MSP Benefits For Small & Medium-Sized Businesses
There are many notable benefits of managed IT services for small and medium-sized companies, and it’s no surprise that more and more firms opt for this type of service.1. Reduced costs
IT framework is a very expensive aspect of running a business. You will need to maintain servers, upgrade equipment, purchase hardware and software, pay for cybersecurity tools, and provide wages for the employees. The costs soar quickly. MSP subscription plans are typically less expensive than internal resources and easy to budget for. When you hire external providers, you don’t need to worry about recruiting or training IT employees. As a matter of fact, you will only need to pay an affordable flat rate for the services rendered, and you will not have to worry about wages.2. Prevention of expensive downtimes
Rather than sit and wait for issues to appear and then deal with them, MSPs are proactive. They monitor the systems remotely to quickly identify and solve potential issues and prevent downtimes from causing you to lose money.3. 24/7 support & quick response time
It often happens that network problems arise outside of business hours and it could take a while for anyone to discover system failure, which can cause significant damage to your company. Remote controlling means real-time monitoring and immediate remedial actions that prevent financial losses. Many MSPs offer around the clock support, including on-call options and weekend assistance outside of regular working hours. Along with real-time notifications, expert backup and disaster recovery strategy in place, your systems will quickly be restored, and the downtime will be minimized.4. Strong protection against cyber attacks
In today’s high-tech world, rock-solid cybersecurity is a must. Cyber breaches and frauds cost businesses billions of dollars annually, which is why you need to be able to alleviate these risks efficiently, before they cause huge problems. Managed IT services deliver real-time protection against all types of risks, such as fraud, cyberthreats, firewalls, intrusions, malware, DDoS, DNS leaks, and many other types of attacks.5. Tech expertise
MSPs are specialists who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. These individuals are experts in many areas, including cybersecurity, cloud computing, data management, and administration. For small business owners in San Diego, this means that you can keep your operations running seamlessly and have your employees concentrate on core business activities.6. Data backup & recovery strategy
One of the main reasons to pick managed services are all the benefits of high-security data management. With this option, the system securely and carefully backs up all your company’s data, including sensitive information such as clients’ personal information or financial data. Typically, backups are conducted monthly or daily, depending on the provider.7. Cloud computing advantages
Cloud computing benefits encompass increased scalability, reduced expenses, and enhanced performance overall. Every cloud enables smooth, real-time access to company’s data across various devices or networks. It’s no wonder more than 90% of companies use cloud technology instead of traditional web hosting with physical servers. Likewise, the majority of companies today rely on managed IT service providers to maintain servers. Some benefits include little (or no) maintenance, easy scalability, improved team collaboration, transparency, disaster recovery, and data security.Industries That Need Managed IT
Although any SMB can benefit from managed IT management, certain industries can benefit more than others:
- Retail – grocery, convenience, apparel, electrical, specialty stores, auto dealerships, etc.
- Hospitality – hotels, restaurants, motels, travel agencies, rental car companies, hostels, hotel consulting firms, event management companies, coffee shops, etc.
- Healthcare – dental offices, medical equipment, medical transcription, medical accounting, etc.
- Finance – Accountants, financial consultants, financial advisors, investment companies, bookkeeping, business brokers, etc.
- Law – Law firms, legal consulting companies, legal tech companies.
- Construction – project management companies, interior design, architectural services, custom home building, plumbing business, etc.
- Manufacturing – automotive, industrial, consumer, chemical, food & beverage manufacturing, 3D printing,
- Transportation & logistics – warehouse business, cargo transport, passenger transport.
The Difference Between Managed and On-Demand IT Support
To illustrate the benefits of Managed IT services, below we have a comparison chart between managed services and Break/Fix services:| Feature | Managed IT Services | Break/Fix IT Services |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Flat monthly fee | Pay-as-you-go |
| Risk management | Proactive maintenance | Reactive, problems are addressed after they occur |
| Downtime | Minimized | Potentially high |
| Availability | 24/7 support | Available upon request |
| Scalability | Easily scalable | Limited scalability; extra charge for expansion |
| Security | Continuous cybersecurity support | Implemented as needed |
| Technology Access | Access to the latest technology and expertise | Technology updates and access depend on business decisions |
How To Choose The Right MSP Provider in San Diego?
If you are wondering what to look for in an MSP, here are some qualities to consider:- Quick response time
- No hidden charges
- Unlimited computer support
- Prices per seat
- Fixed monthly IT cost
- Possesses a strong backup Proven track record of working with small and medium-sized companies
- Comprehensive range of services offered
- Flexible and customized service models
- Strategy and disaster recovery
- Has a reliable, secure point of contact for your company
- Cooperates with your legal team to ensure compliance with rules and regulations
- Has positive customers’ reviews
How Much Does It Cost?
Managed IT services for small businesses can be priced in several different ways:- Per-seat model - A flat fee per user, covering all the devices they use (e.g., computers, smartphones, tablets). This model is ideal for businesses where employees use multiple devices. Costs generally range from $100 to $200 per seat per month.
- Per-device model – fixed cost for each device managed
- per-user model – typically applied for those whose clients use several devices (smartphones, notebooks, iPads, etc.)
- All-inclusive pricing – flat rate for all services offered
Final Thoughts
Small and mid-sized companies from San Diego who want to stand out in a tech-oriented market should opt for managed IT service packages. They give you access to skillful experts, easy scalability, round the clock support, and improved security. Partnering with MSP will enable you to enjoy the peace of mind knowing your technology needs are handled by experts. More importantly, it will take your business to the next level and help you achieve your business goals faster.Related posts
