What Types of Businesses Are Ideal for Managed IT Services?

Businesses seek managed IT services for many reasons, from meeting increasing technology requirements to supplementing their in-house staff to stay competitive and continue growing in their industry. A managed service provider (MSP) can offer numerous services, including new software deployment or ongoing helpdesk support. 

These services can aid companies facing particular challenges or businesses in sectors with significant regulations, limited budgets or other industry-specific difficulties. 

What Are Managed IT Services?

Managed IT services are business IT services handled by a third party. These services allow your organization to give general technology management tasks to an outside expert. Businesses often seek these services to reduce costs, improve service quality and free their internal team to do more business-specific work. 

A managed service provider is a company that offers managed IT services. MSPs work with companies proactively or as needed. They perform various tasks under a service level agreement, including provisions for details like typical downtime, disaster recovery and technical support. Customers working with an MSP typically pay a monthly subscription fee for services. 

Why Are Businesses Using Managed IT?

While your business may have relied on internal IT support in the past, it can benefit from managed services today. Many companies are turning to managed service providers for IT for the following reasons:

• Increasing technology requirements: Organizations increasingly rely on technology to compete within their industry and accomplish everyday tasks. An MSP can support and manage these growing resources. 
• Cybersecurity concerns: Cyberattacks have become more frequent and sophisticated. Managed IT services allow you to leave your security and data protection to an expert. 
• Cloud computing: Many businesses use cloud computing to improve flexibility and resource access. An MSP can build and manage cloud solutions to benefit your organization’s operations. 

Why Do Businesses Turn to MSPs?

Businesses of any size, from mid-market to small enterprises, may seek managed IT services. The following factors may cause you to determine that you need outside support.

Security Needs

Your business may handle sensitive information like financial records or personnel files. In a data breach, hackers can steal this information. An MSP can review your current security standing and create strategic plans to manage your risk and recovery from breaches. They can also monitor for threats to keep you protected. 

Limited Time

An organization may have limited time to devote to IT for many reasons, such as a new business just starting or a large firm with many resources to handle. Outsourcing your IT allows you to focus on core business objectives rather than issues like server crashes and network maintenance. Your internal staff can use the time they gain to devote to important projects that support business growth. 

Controlled Budget

Your business likely has a specific IT budget. In unexpected situations like a server crash or system malfunction, you might spend your budget quickly during restoration. When you get managed services, you will pay a monthly rate and get routine maintenance, repairs, upgrades and security to lessen the chances of unexpected spending. 

Competitive Environments

Many organizations operate in sectors with other businesses offering similar services. You can set your company apart by choosing managed IT. You will gain a trusted team of professionals who can plan for the future and suggest improvements that make you more competitive in your industry. 

Regulatory Compliance

Your industry may face stricter compliance requirements, such as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) laws in health care. An MSP understands these regulations and provides the expertise to maintain compliance while ensuring good performance. 

Growing Technology 

As your business grows, you will face increasing technology requirements. Managed IT services allow you to take the burden off your internal teams while supporting smooth growth. 

Industries That May Need Managed IT

Beyond having particular business requirements, you may need an MSP due to the industry in which you operate. Here are a few sectors that often benefit from managed IT services. 

Health Care

Businesses within the health care industry must comply with HIPAA regulations to protect private health information. They also handle sensitive data such as patient financial information, addresses and social security numbers. Outsourcing allows them to stay on top of the latest security threats facing health care providers. 

A health care organization may outsource to supplement an existing team or to cover its complete IT requirements if it needs more resources. 

Finance

Accountants, financial advisors and financial institutions are responsible for securing sensitive and personal financial information. Customers increasingly look for service providers that can keep their information secure. Managed IT services allow you to meet customer expectations and comply with government regulations and mandates. 

Education

As an educational institution, you handle students’ personal and financial information. You must also comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) to protect information like classes, transcripts and contact information. An MSP allows you to improve your reputation for security while controlling your IT costs. 

Nonprofits

Nonprofits often need help with tight budgets and limited time to devote to IT. Managed IT services allow you to spend more time on your mission while giving you a predictable cost for IT services. These services can also increase your security for donor and stakeholder data, which allows you to garner trust. 

Legal

IT is essential to operations in legal practices. If you want to spend more time practicing law and less on your technology resources, an MSP can manage your software and tools while safeguarding sensitive client data and business documents. 

Retail

Stores increasingly add technology to their operations, including updated point-of-sale systems. Managed IT services allow you to keep these systems running to improve the customer experience and meet compliance regulations, like the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), with enhanced security. 

Media

This industry faces a fast-paced environment and vast amounts of digital content that require proper management, storage and distribution. Any downtime in IT systems can cause a significant loss. An MSP can ensure the high performance of critical systems while managing costs and protecting against breaches. 

Turn to Converged Technology Group for Managed IT Services

Converged Technology Group provides managed IT services to businesses across many industry sectors in New York and Long Island. We work with your organization through various processes, from streamlining existing IT environments to designing and deploying new solutions. As an MSP, we provide Assist360^° Managed IT Helpdesk and Assist360^° Co-Managed IT Support to give you the level of management your organization requires. 

Get in touch with our team online to discuss your technology needs and discover the ideal managed solution.