Should IT Managers Feel Threatened, Working with Managed IT Support?

Recognizing the challenges that most organizations face today in regards of the cost for network  infrastructure, reliability and availability of network/bandwidth, hardware, power, security and in-house human expertise, the (Managed Service Provider) MSP industry was born. MSPs can assume responsibility for a business’s network infrastructure, data storage, cloud integration, patching, and on and on, remotely monitoring and managing while reporting on performance metrics, hardware assets, software licenses, etc. But IT Managers can be reluctant to appreciate the advantages of working with managed IT support for fear of loss of control, and ultimately because they assume the MSP will replace them. This article serves to shed light on the benefits IT Managers have and the reasons why those familiar with Co-Managed services prefer to work with MSPs. 

An MSP, or managed service provider, is a company that provides IT services and support to businesses and organizations. These services can include things like monitoring and maintaining computer systems, providing technical support to users, and offering advice on technology-related issues. MSPs are often hired by businesses to help them manage their technology more efficiently and effectively, so that they can focus on their core operations and goals. 

Internal IT Departments 

Internal IT departments monitor IT infrastructure, endpoints, data, applications, cloud services, respond to continual requests, hardware malfunctions, and keep abreast of cybersecurity threats. Remote work has become increasingly popular through technologies such as video conferencing, instant messaging, and collaborative software allowing the global talent pool to share information in real-time, regardless of their location. Keeping organizations secure and productive is 24/7/365.  

According to Gartner “long hours and excessive responsibilities are major contributor to burnout”. Is it any surprise that turnover is problematic for internal IT teams? 37% report “unrealistic expectations of function or leader” and a whopping 62% feel pressure to work late nights and/or weekends. 

What can be done to help Internal IT Manager’s with their roles and responsibilities so that they feel supported, and less likely to be among their industry peers worrying about the risk of security incidents negatively impacting their reputation and feelings of isolation?  

Managed IT Support 

MSPs are set up to serve; their product is technology, and their service is productivity and operational efficiencies. By outsourcing the IT Manager benefits: 

• Being surrounded and supported by a team. The sense of isolation and responsibility is immediately lessened. 

• The burden of being well-versed in advancing technologies and cyber threats is now shared. Your support team can scale, shouldering the responsibility for keeping abreast of new threats and the constant modern technologies. 
• No longer having to work late evenings and/or weekends. You have time during your day for projects such as migrating workloads to the cloud, or whatever projects that have been put off indefinitely.  

Staffing 

Access to seasoned engineers and technicians through an IT support company means your organization can benefit from high-level expertise without the need to hire these professionals as full-time employees. This arrangement eliminates the need to manage recruitment, ongoing training, and retention of staff skilled in varied technologies. Managed IT support companies invest heavily in keeping their teams updated on the latest advancements, certifications, and best practices across multiple technology platforms and vendors. This ensures that your business receives top-notch support from experts who are continually trained and proficient in modern technologies, which might be challenging to maintain in-house.

Your business can enjoy uninterrupted support, whether for routine maintenance or urgent troubleshooting, without the logistical and financial burdens of staffing and managing an in-house team. These companies are equipped to handle diverse IT requirements efficiently, allowing your organization to focus on its core operations while leveraging the broad and deep technical expertise of a dedicated IT support provider. This partnership not only enhances operational efficiency but also ensures that your IT infrastructure is robust, scalable, and aligned with the latest industry standards.

Operating Expenses 

Expenditures can be predicted and budgeted with few surprises. A good MSP will make this easy for you. our MSP can provide IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) with the same monthly costs instead of being hit with a Capital Expense.  

Your IT Department doesn’t need to be a negative to the bottom line. Your MSP serves as your IT Manager’s direct peer, offering suggestions and analytics on how to increase productivity and operational efficiencies, increasing your bottom line instead of taking from it. 

Improved Security 

Improved security is one of the most significant benefits of working with an IT support company, especially for small businesses that typically lack the resources of larger organizations. Large companies often have dedicated security teams focused solely on identifying and preventing cybersecurity threats, implementing regular security patches, and ensuring that systems and applications remain free from vulnerabilities. Small businesses, on the other hand, may struggle to allocate sufficient resources to such specialized tasks. This is where Managed Service Providers (MSPs) step in, offering a level of security expertise that small businesses could not feasibly achieve on their own.

MSPs are equipped with advanced tools and knowledge to protect your business from a wide range of cyber threats, including malware, viruses, and hackers. They employ a proactive approach to cybersecurity, constantly monitoring your systems for potential threats and applying the latest security patches and updates to mitigate risks. This proactive stance not only enhances the overall security posture of your business but also significantly reduces the burden on your IT Manager, who might otherwise be overwhelmed by the complex and time-consuming nature of cybersecurity management. By partnering with an IT support company, small businesses can benefit from the same high level of security that large organizations enjoy, ensuring that their sensitive data and critical systems are safeguarded against emerging threats. This leads to fewer security-related headaches and more peace of mind, allowing your IT team to focus on other strategic initiatives that drive business growth.

Backup & Disaster Recovery 

SMB’s typically do not take care of backups and/or disaster recovery with internal resources. Many studies indicate that businesses know that backups are needed but haven’t prioritized getting resources in place. MSPs identify Disaster Recovery planning as one of their priorities, acknowledging the potential devastation and loss that occurs when a business’ operations are down. MSPs bring experience and training so that your business is prepared. 

A good MSP develops a Security Program that includes incident response planning and testing as well as annual cyber security risk assessments.

Onboarding 

Every IT Management company has their process of onboarding a new client, which usually starts with a technical assessment to be able to see your organization’s current technical environment. The MSP, in support of your business goals, will present options for onboarding, depending on the complexity of the needs. Onboarding is known to be one of the most dreaded processes for organizations, due to lack of transparency and being faced with many unknowns. A reputable MSP will map out their onboarding processes to alleviate all concerns. 

Co-Managed Services is a partnership between the Head of IT and the MSP where IT management support plans are strategically mapped, with the IT Manager in the driver’s seat. IT staff can now easily be augmented, networks can be optimized, security strengthened, and budgets maximized. Many small- and medium-sized businesses recognize the benefits that enterprises have long taken advantage of through Managed IT Support.