Does Your Small Business IT Budget Include Managed Services?

Summary: Hiring small business IT support services for computer repairs and maintenance gives you access to expert advice and solutions. Managed IT (sometimes known as outsourced IT) services can help small or midsized companies budget by providing consistent monthly fees and a strategic plan for aging equipment replacements and upgrades.

IT Services for Small Business Can Save Money

Businesses depend on their computer systems and networked devices for core operations. When these systems slow down or malfunction, productivity can come to a halt. Employees sit idle, orders go unfulfilled and schedules fall behind while trying to diagnose the issue. “Time is money,” and some small businesses waste significant time and money with a DIY approach to IT maintenance and repairs.

Small Business IT Support Services: Beyond Repairs and Installations

Most SMB owners can do some tech installations on their own, but are not qualified to keep up with the proactive maintenance required to their computer systems functional. As more endpoint devices (such as phones, printers, cameras and more) are added to the network, the more challenging in-house computer repairs and maintenance become. Each connected item must be optimized for network accessibility and protected for data security. That is where IT experts come in. There are several key benefits to hiring professional small business IT support services:

• Up-To-Date Professional Assistance – Cybercriminals constantly develop new attack methods for stealing business data. Even if you have a tech-savvy employee covering most IT needs, it is difficult for them to stay in step with the ever-changing cybercrime landscape and current best practices that protect business data from hackers.
• Maintain Focus on Core Business Operations – Ideally, no employee (other than an IT employee) should be distracted from their regular work tasks. Beyond the time wasted, productivity is reduced, losing more money. Therefore, IT management should be a dedicated professional task, not a distraction from your core business.
• Proactive Strategies – A company that manufactures “widgets” is unlikely to have any IT strategy. They may have some protections in place. However, they are unlikely to know what specific maintenance and cyber security are needed for their SMB and how to protect against and recover from crippling IT events. IT professionals can examine your overall computer network system and all its connected devices to ensure you are functioning with maximum efficiency and performance.
• Cost Effectiveness – SMBs often assume hiring IT experts will be too expensive for their small business IT budgets. As IT becomes more complex, the costs related to IT functions increase. A professional can help you avoid costly mistakes or product incompatibility. They can help you plan for anticipated expansions by recommending the correct products for your needs or offer additional solutions you may not have considered. Using IT pros from the start is an investment in the future operation of your business.
• Productivity – Computer systems can help small companies thrive. However, systems without regular IT maintenance and assessments can interfere with workflow when they malfunction or shut down completely. Having a trusted partner in place who is familiar with your system speeds response, troubleshooting and recovery time for network issues.
• One Contact for All Types of IT Issues – There are many elements to a networked computer system, and many problems can arise. Hardware, software, email issues, cabling, routers, firewalls, servers, internet connectivity, remote access and cyberattacks are some of the potential network issues. Having an IT pro knowledgeable in all areas of repair and network support will make diagnosing and resolving problems faster.
• Access to Employee Training – Best practices training is essential for employees who access the company network. Employee training can include teaching the correct way to classify and store data, how to create and protect passwords and ongoing security awareness training. These are critical areas where employees can help protect valuable client, company and employee data.
• Flexibility for Growth – Hiring an IT expert is flexible and scalable. Support can be on-site for some issues and remote for others. This is especially important for companies with remote employees. Service is available anywhere with an internet connection. Onboarding new employees is simplified when your IT technician connects them, walks them through the new system and ensures devices are functioning.

IT Maintenance and Computer Repairs

Professional IT maintenance is essential for network speed and security. With the expanded use of remote and work-from-home employees, having a team of IT experts to support your system is imperative for a small to midsized business. An IT support team can train your staff, update your software, inspect and monitor your hardware and provide basic cyber security for all network devices all for one monthly cost.

Managed IT services for small business are affordable, typically starting under $100 per employee computer “seat” each month for unlimited services. (If you downsize, your costs would decrease.) Managed providers have multiple clients and it is in their best interest to keep your system running smoothly to reduce service calls. Outsourcing IT services makes financial IT budget sense for small and midsized businesses that lack full-time IT departments.