Cybersecurity Awareness Month began in 2004 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as an annual observance for organizations to observe best practices for online safety, with the goal of promoting a secure digital environment for everyone.

This annual event offers businesses the opportunity to assess their cybersecurity status and managed IT services so that they can be maximized to their full benefit and support the goals of the organization.

By having a trusted managed IT services partner like Dataguard Storage, small businesses can receive the same expert-level IT services that Fortune 500 companies do, at a fraction of the cost.

Why Managed IT Services Matter for Small Businesses

What could possibly happen if you don’t have proactive management of your IT infrastructure?

Well, in the case of an outage, attack, or loss of data; some of the following scenarios can become real…very quickly:

• Computers seize stopping production and customer service capabilities leading to upset customers and a loss of business, and perhaps reputation as well
• Disgruntled former employees using company devices to defame company leadership and employees on social media channels
• Ransomware attacks that hold the entire company and its data hostage in exchange for a fee and perhaps a very public announcement of such event
• Random devices, computers, and endpoints work while others don’t because software and system applications are not up to date

The above examples paint a very clear and real picture of what could happen (and has happened) when the proper controls and systems are not in place for a business’s IT infrastructure.  

As a third-party service provider, a Managed Service Provider takes care of every tech piece a business has.  This can include but is not limited to the following:

• Cloud applications
• Servers
• Computer endpoints
• Mobile devices
• Connectivity
• Cybersecurity
• Software patches and updates
• Managing technology vendors
• New product exploration
• Staff training
• Performance monitoring
• Threat monitoring

Secret Benefits of Managed IT Services

Aside from the obvious technology benefits and advantages, Managed Service Providers like Dataguard Storage provide three core benefits that can sometimes be overlooked:

1. Predictable Costs.  Regular monitoring and management of your company IT infrastructure stops surprise break-fix repair bills from random outages and much more.
2. High-Level Threat Blocking.  Viruses, security threats, and ransomware attacks can be identified and thwarted with the right monitoring and management in place.  For some companies, this alone is more valuable than any type of insurance they can obtain.
3. Talent Offloading.  Not having to be responsible for hiring, managing, and ensuring that the delivery of mission critical IT services are being done is a relief that many business owners welcome.

Interesting Facts About Managed IT Services

So, just how popular and widely used are managed IT services by businesses?  The facts below really speak for themselves in terms or representing the adoption of these types of services for business.

1. Managed IT services can reduce recurring in-house costs by up to 40% and increase efficiency by 50 to 60% (jumpcloud)
2. Nine out of 10 (89%) of business and IT leaders surveyed use a managed services provider to help with B2B integrations or plan to do so in the next 12 months. (Grand View Research)
3. Small businesses are the target for 43% of cyber-attacks, highlighting the importance of managed IT services for cybersecurity (Grand View Research)
4. Managed IT services offer a cost-effective way to bridge the talent gap, access expert knowledge, and enhance operational efficiency (Open Text)
5. 57% of organizations believe that outsourcing can allow them to completely focus on their core business activities (ConnectWise)

What Are the Ways Managed IT Services Improve Business Efficiency and Profitability? 

Managed IT services are a great fix for older IT systems and set ups that are patched together over years that also tend to be slow, have security holes, and hidden costs that can eat into a company’s budget. 

Because of its round-the-clock monitoring and flat rate billing structure, managed IT services offer flexible cloud and remote services that truly boost business performance and maximize profitability.  Below are only a few ways that this is achieved through the services provided by Dataguard Storage:

1. Tech Glitches Avoided.  In modern business, technology glitches lead to real loss in revenue because of the connected nature of business systems and platforms.  With real-time monitoring and effective system hygiene, these types of events can be mitigated quickly or avoided altogether. 
2. 24/7 Monitoring and Management.  With the constant monitoring of networks, servers, and end user devices, issues get detected and dealt with immediately which helps to keep the staff of a small business in a position to deliver services and products to its end customers.
3. Could and Remote Tools. Remoted access allows your managed IT services team to fix things in real time without having to endure costly trips for on-site service that can extend fix times for critical issues.
4. No Staffing Needed.  When you outsourced your managed IT services it also means that your company does not have to hire, manage, and pay an employee directly to perform similar tasks. 
5. Continuing Education and Certifications.  A true managed IT services provider will bring continuing education, certifications, liability insurance, and a suite of skill sets to the end client relationship.  These are all necessary elements you expect but would also need to have or provide if you were to hire an employee directly to perform these types of tasks on a day to day basis.
6. Flat-Fee Service Agreements. No business likes surprise bills and expenses which is why predictable pricing helps engrain managed IT services into the annual budget for many small businesses. 
7. Scalability.  Having a technology partner that can scale with the growth of your organization is critical.  From onboarding new employees into your technology infrastructure to proactive monitoring of your entire network, the right managed IT services company can be one of the most valuable players on your team.

Schedule a Free Managed IT Services Review with Us

It’s easy to work with Dataguard Storage.  Our team of experts understands small business and our process is designed to support you at every stage.  Contact us today or call (866) 313-2444 to speak to one of our team members today.