Taking Control of Your Time: The Advantages of Hiring a Managed IT Services Provider

Are you spending more time troubleshooting technology than growing your small business? If so, managed IT services may be the solution you’ve been looking for. Technology and security are essential to all companies, and managing technology can take a lot of work. By hiring a managed IT services provider, your business can increase efficiency, cut costs, improve security, stay updated with new technology, and regain control of your  time to work on your business. Let’s take a deeper look at managed IT services and the ways your company can benefit from managed IT services.

What are the challenges of information technology in business?

No business owner wants to expose their company’s sensitive information, and keeping that information safe can pose several challenges including maintaining sufficient internal security measures, keeping up with hardware and software updates and developments, and protection from data loss 

Insufficient internal security measures makes sensitive data more vulnerable to cyber threats such as phishing and malware. Outdated hardware and software can result in slow performance and compatibility problems. Integration of new technology can also be challenging, as companies must ensure that their existing systems are compatible with new technology and have the resources to implement them. Another critical issue, data loss and recovery, requires businesses to protect their valuable data so it can be recovered in the event of an unexpected outage or cyber-attack. Lastly, companies need help finding solutions that address these issues simultaneously.

These are just a few of the IT challenges that businesses face. However, working with a managed IT services provider will help eliminate these challenges.

What does a managed IT services provider do?

The role of a managed IT services provider is to manage and maintain a business’s IT infrastructure. Managed IT services can include various security services, such as designing and setting up a network, backing up and restoring data, updating and patching software, managing security threats, and much more. Some managed IT services providers, like The CORE Group, also offer cloud services, – allowing businesses to store, manage, and access their data and applications over the internet instead of on local servers. Overall, the purpose of a managed IT services provider is to give your business ongoing tech support while reducing the cost and hassle of managing technology on your own.

 

If you’re a small business owner needing a specialized support team to take care of your information technology, this is where The CORE Group can help. From cloud services to business continuity and managed security, you can rest assured that your business will always be up-to-date and running smoothly.

What are the benefits of managed IT services?

The benefits of managed IT services can help you overcome IT challenges. Some of this can help you save money, improve systems and efficiency, gain access to new technology, protect company data, and, most importantly, free up time to focus on your business rather than technical issues. Let’s go over each of these in greater detail:

1. Save money:

Outsourcing IT services can be a cost-effective option for businesses that lack the time and resources to establish their own internal IT team. To build an in-house team, you must spend money on recruiting, training, and salary. Additionally, it could take several months for your new team to gain the necessary expertise to make needed upgrades, which could cause delays in your business operations.

On the other hand, outsourcing the work to a trusted IT services provider would provide your business with immediate access to an already assembled team that already has the experience and know what they’re doing. They’ll be able to make upgrades quickly and efficiently, saving your business time and money. 

Additionally, outsourcing IT services can provide greater flexibility for your business as it grows, allowing you to scale your technology infrastructure as needed without the expense of investing in technology that may not be required in the future.

2. Improve systems and increase efficiency: 

Every business owner strives for efficiency because, like you, they know that the smooth operation of all business processes drives the business forward. Hiring a managed IT services provider can significantly improve your company’s operations. They can install automated software updates to ensure your devices and systems have the most recent security patches and performance improvements. This can reduce downtime, resulting in increased efficiency and productivity. 

Furthermore, managed IT service providers can proactively monitor systems to identify and address potential issues before they become significant. This can prevent business interruptions and reduce the need for costly emergency repairs.

Read how we helped a client optimize their business with managed IT.

3. Access to the latest technology 

If your technology is outdated, now is an excellent time to replace it. While there is no correct answer for when businesses should upgrade their technology, there are signs to look out for. Some signs include excessive downtime, when your system takes a long time to respond or load, and when hackers frequently attack your systems. Or when your older systems are unable to communicate with new technology. .

However, hiring an IT services provider can ensure that you are up to date with the latest technology. For example, suppose you own a retail store and are frustrated with how long it takes for your employees to process transactions for your customers. Your IT services provider could help you replace your old processing system with a new POS system. By installing a new POS system, your company can process transactions more quickly, reduce the risk of errors, and provide a better customer experience. Because it integrates with your other systems — which your outsourced IT team can also help you keep up-to-date — you can track inventory levels in real-time, streamline financial reporting, and gain deeper insights into customer behavior. 

Additionally, your managed IT services provider can also provide ongoing support and training for your employees, ensuring that everyone can thoroughly learn and utilize the new technology.

4. Protect company information 

Customers and employees should be able to trust your business. If their information is compromised, it will hurt your company’s reputation and bottom line. By working with a managed IT service provider, you can ensure that your technology infrastructure complies with all applicable laws and standards, including HIPAA, PCI DSS, and SOC This can minimize the possibility of expensive fines and legal issues resulting from noncompliance. Additionally, managed IT service providers can put robust security measures in place to safeguard your sensitive data and reduce the risk of data breaches.

5. Focus on your business

Since you’ve realized how stress-free it is to hire an outsourced IT team to manage your technology, the number one advantage of managed IT services is the ability to focus on your business. Here are a few ways that managed IT services can help your business grow:

• Automation: Automation can improve customer service by installing an automated help desk system that streamlines issues. You can also implement chatbots that quickly answer common questions or use automation to improve inventory tracking and management. 
• Cloud Services: Managed IT service providers can assist you in migrating your data and applications to the cloud, providing increased scalability and flexibility as your business grows. Cloud services also allow teams to work together more seamlessly by providing a centralized location for data and applications. For instance, you can use cloud-based productivity suites like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. This allows you and your team members to work together on documents in real-time, regardless of their location.
• Customer Analytics: Managed IT services providers can provide customer analytics solutions to help you better understand your customers and improve customer engagement. This can lead to more sales and customer loyalty, which are essential drivers of business growth.

What are the risks and disadvantages of managed IT services?

While managed IT services provide many benefits to businesses, there are some potential drawbacks. One risk is losing control over certain aspects of your IT operations, such as the ability to change or update your systems yourself. This can be mitigated by collaborating closely with your IT services provider to ensure that you have control over your systems. 

Another risk is the possibility of data breaches or other security incidents, which could jeopardize your company and its customers. However, managed IT service providers can help minimize this risk by implementing strong security measures and providing ongoing monitoring and support. 

You may be concerned about hiring a managed IT services provider since you’ll be working with a new IT team. But the cost of not having access to expert IT support can be much higher in terms of lost productivity, revenue, and customers. Overall, the key to mitigating these risks and drawbacks is finding the right IT services provider, like The CORE Group, with a track record of providing high-quality services and a willingness to work closely with you to address any concerns or issues.

Why outsource your IT services and hire a managed IT provider for your business?

With technology constantly changing, small businesses must find the right expertise to manage their IT infrastructure. On the other hand, hiring and maintaining an in-house IT team can be expensive and time-consuming. This is where outsourcing your IT services makes the most sense. It’s more cost-effective because you do not have to spend money on hiring and training employees, providing benefits, and paying salaries. In the United States, an IT specialist’s annual salary can range from $50,000 to more than $100,000, depending on the specific role and level of experience. Furthermore, when you outsource your IT management, you do not have to worry about ongoing training and certifications to ensure your IT employees are up-to-date on the latest technologies and industry developments.

Also, when deciding on which IT service provider to work with,  keep in mind that retainer-based managed IT providers may seem more expensive up-front, but in fact have a greater incentive to produce high-quality work more quickly than an hourly-billed service. With this in mind, outsourcing IT services is a cost-effective solution that allows businesses like yours to stay current with technology and security without breaking the bank.

How can a managed IT service provider help a business grow?

With a managed IT service provider, you’ll have more time and resources to focus on other areas of your business that require your attention. You can focus on marketing your company and expanding your customer base without worrying about your website going down or your information security being compromised. A managed IT services provider can also help you keep up with the competition by providing access to new technology and enhancing strong security measures. Additionally, managed IT service providers can help you develop and implement disaster recovery and business continuity plans, ensuring that your critical systems and data are protected during an unexpected outage or disaster.

Free up more time and let Core Group manage your IT

If you’re looking for a managed IT services provider who can help you transform your technology and drive your business forward, then this is where The CORE Group can help. Our commitment to excellence and passion for technology makes us the perfect choice for businesses of all sizes and industries across Long Beach, Los Angeles, and surrounding areas. Our team has more than 30 years of experience and strives to better ourselves, our team, and our clients by following our core values: 

Gumption + Elevation + Consistency + Communication + Ownership = A CORE “Trusted GECCO”

The benefits of working with a managed IT services provider like us can help you save money, improve systems, increase work efficiency, protect company data, and free up time and resources so you can work on your business. Request a free consultation today to learn how we can help you reach your goals.