| Using an outsourced IT support provider is a smart | | | | But don't worry. Help is at hand! |
| move for small and medium sized businesses. It | | | | There is another option - a managed service provider |
| enables them to maintain business continuity at a | | | | (MSP). |
| fraction of the cost of running their own in-house IT | | | | The keywords here are pro-activity and cost control. |
| Department. | | | | OK, sometimes there will be reactive issues to be |
| But there are many providers out there. How do you | | | | dealt with but a reputable MSP will aim to prevent |
| go about choosing the right one for your business? | | | | problems arising in the first place. |
| Here's the BITS list of things your IT support provider | | | | Secondly, a managed service model means you pay |
| should do for you as part of a fully managed service | | | | the same amount every month without being charged |
| contract. | | | | for the hours worked. That means it's in the interest of |
| * Prevent problems by adopting a pro-active approach. | | | | the provider to work proactively to minimise issues. |
| * Provide quick response where appropriate. | | | | That's a win-win situation for both parties. |
| * Advise on other areas of technology that may | | | | Here are some key features and benefits of an MSP: |
| impact on IT. | | | | ? Fixed costs for budgeting |
| * Provide advice on how to get/keep things running | | | | ? Enables better long term planning and budgeting. |
| smoothly. | | | | ? Skills and experience of an IT department at a |
| * Ensure you have a robust back up routine in place. | | | | fraction of the cost. |
| * Is an easily accessible point of contact for | | | | ? Tools in place to monitor remotely, cutting out on |
| employee's IT problems. | | | | travelling and on-site time. |
| * Provide all inclusive pricing. | | | | ? Reduces the need for staff to spend lots of time |
| * Provide fixed price for projects | | | | dealing with IT problems. |
| * Has proven knowledge and expertise. | | | | ? Increased employee productivity and morale. |
| For example Microsoft Small Business Specialist | | | | Reduced frustration! |
| * Conduct annual meetings to help plan your IT | | | | Not convinced yet? Here are two typical examples of |
| strategy. More frequently might be necessary for | | | | where an MSP can benefit businesses: |
| fast-changing businesses or where the client prefers | | | | ? Example 1 |
| this. | | | | Space running out on the server ? this is picked up by |
| * Deal/Assist in dealing with other technology providers. | | | | monitoring and an engineer looks at it and resolves the |
| On your behalf. For example for warranty claims. | | | | problem. The client doesn't even need to know about |
| * Use tried and tested solutions tailored to the individual | | | | it. |
| client. Not one solution fits all. | | | | What would have happened without Managed IT |
| What is a managed service contract/managed | | | | Support? Eventually the server would have run out of |
| service provider? | | | | space completely and would crash/refuse to boot up |
| Most major companies have an IT Help Desk, often | | | | ? this would cause considerable down time and |
| employing tens or even hundreds of staff. These are | | | | prevent employees from working. Worse still your |
| the people who are at the beck and call of employees | | | | service to customers could deteriorate. |
| each time their printer won't work or their laptop won't | | | | ? Example 2 |
| boot up. | | | | Anti-virus software not updating, this is picked up by |
| Sounds expensive doesn't it? As a smaller business | | | | daily monitoring by the MSP and corrected. |
| your only option is to manage your own or just call | | | | What would have happened without Managed IT |
| someone every time you have a problem. | | | | Support? The customer's machines would ultimately |
| This is referred to in the industry as "break fix". | | | | have become infected with a virus. Over time further |
| 1. It breaks. | | | | viruses could have entered the system. Your entire IT |
| 2. You call someone. | | | | system could crash thus affecting business continuity. |
| 3. They fix it. | | | | Worse still viruses could be unwittingly transferred to |
| 4. It breaks again. | | | | outside parties via email. |
| 5. You call them again. | | | | To summarise, an MSP enables you and your team to |
| ....and so it goes on. | | | | focus on fee earning work. Ultimately this benefits your |
| The more it breaks the more money they make and it | | | | profitability, your efficiency and your customer service. |
| becomes an expensive option for your business. | | | | |