Managed Services are experiencing a resurgence, and it’s easy to see why. Initially developed in the 90s to address Break/Fix IT issues, Managed Services have become crucial for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) aiming to stay competitive in a fast-changing technological environment.
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If your business still relies on an in-house IT team to manage your systems, it might be time to reconsider. Technology has evolved significantly since the Break/Fix era, and many internal IT teams struggle to keep pace with innovation. This often leads to a reactive IT approach that may not fully support the needs of a growing business in today’s digital age.
If you’re hesitant about outsourcing IT support because you think your current setup is sufficient or you’re worried about costs, it’s worth reevaluating. Managed Services offer numerous advantages, especially if you’re using platforms like Microsoft Dynamics 365.
Understanding Managed Services
Managed Services involve outsourcing business administration and management tasks to a third party. While this can apply to various functions like supply chain management or marketing strategy, this article focuses on managed IT services.
The demand for managed IT services has increased significantly in recent years. The global managed services market was valued at $185.98 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach $356.24 billion by 2025. This growth is largely driven by SMBs that need the latest technology to remain competitive but may not have the budget for a full-scale IT department. Managed services enable SMBs to operate at the same level as larger organizations without overextending their resources.
- Concentrate on Core Objectives
As your business expands, so will your IT needs. Your in-house IT team might manage some of this increased workload but could quickly become overwhelmed. This often results in additional responsibilities falling on employees outside the IT department, diverting them from their primary roles.
Managed services can ease this burden by allowing your employees to focus on their main tasks. A qualified managed services partner offers flexible solutions, whether you need basic support or a full IT department.
- Gain Access to Expertise
New technologies bring new challenges that your current IT team might not be prepared to handle. Managing these technologies requires significant resources, which can be problematic if your IT department is small.
Instead of hiring and training new staff—which can be costly and difficult due to the IT talent shortage—managed services provide access to a team of professionals at a fixed monthly rate. Many Managed Services Providers (MSPs) offer a shared approach, allowing you to adjust the size of your team based on project needs.
- Manage Costs
Managed services can significantly reduce labor costs by eliminating the need to hire and train new IT staff. Most MSPs use a hybrid model of onshore and offshore resources, which helps lower costs and expand your resource base.
With a service-level agreement tailored to your needs, you can avoid unexpected expenses and shift from a capital expense model to an operating expense model. Look for an MSP with strong strategic relationships with your technology providers to maximize savings and reinvest in your business.
- Scale with Flexibility
As your technology needs evolve, MSPs can help you scale your systems up or down as needed. Systems like Dynamics 365 are designed to be scalable, but additional support may be required. Choose an MSP that offers real-time responsiveness and advanced services like proactive monitoring and reporting to get the most value from your partnership.
- Get Reliable Support
Most Managed Services Providers (MSPs) offer 24/7 support, including on-call options and weekend assistance. When choosing an MSP, look for one with global capabilities and round-the-clock support to ensure help is available whenever you need it.
- Minimize Downtime
Managed services adopt a proactive approach to maintenance, using remote monitoring and management to address potential issues before they escalate. Considering that network downtime can cost businesses up to $5,600 per minute, outsourcing to an MSP can be a cost-effective way to prevent costly disruptions.
- Have a Dedicated Point of Contact
Partnering with an MSP provides you with a dedicated team led by a customer success manager (CSM) who understands your business. Your CSM serves as a single point of contact, managing vendor relations and resolving issues efficiently. If your CSM is unavailable, an established escalation path ensures continuous support.
- Ensure Security & Compliance
Software platforms like Dynamics 365 handle vast amounts of data that must be secure and compliant with industry regulations. While MSPs can’t manage corporate compliance entirely, they can collaborate with your legal team to ensure your systems meet necessary regulations.
What to Look for in an MSP
The right MSP should offer:
- A flexible service model
- A shared approach to managed services
- Strong relationships with your technology or cloud provider
- A large pool of consultants
- Advanced services and round-the-clock support
- Proactive maintenance and robust backup and disaster recovery
- A dedicated contact person with an established escalation path
- Support for security and compliance needs
If an MSP meets these criteria, you can trust that your IT needs are in capable hands.
Discover the Benefits with IT Dominion LLC
At IT Dominion LLC, we specialize in providing tailored managed services for SMBs. Our expertise with Microsoft Dynamics 365 and our commitment to delivering exceptional IT support will help your business thrive in a digital world.
We offer:
- Flexible service options to match your needs
- Access to a dedicated team of IT professionals
- Strategic partnerships to enhance your IT infrastructure
- Scalable solutions to grow with your business
Ready to elevate your IT strategy? Let IT Dominion LLC help you transform your business. Contact us to learn more about how our managed services can benefit your organization.