Managed IT Services: IT that works for you
Today, digital and future are practically synonymous. Running a small business and having quality IT services are not as fortunate. Typically, small businesses mean small IT departments, or rather small single IT Manager, who quite literally, manages it all. They must update, patch, and, you guessed it, manage calls, network issues, printers, servers, and even email all on a daily basis.
Then, in their spare time on the job, they must keep current with the newest and safest gadgets, gizmos and software that will keep your company coals hot and moving forward. We would be lost if we did not have them. Their advice on cost savings, improvisations, and input on strategic goals is priceless, that is, if they have the time to keep up. That is why it is important to get the right mix of managed IT services, where the right tech meets the right service, to keep your company’s agility high in today’s business culture. Managed IT services can take some of the stress off your IT Department so they can get back to what they do best – helping your business run.
Being Picky-Choosey
Businesses have turned to technology in order to fulfill their day to day processes. So, it is no wonder that the need for managed IT services has increased. Company leaders now look at managed IT services as a strategic business asset, and not just as an instrumental asset like in the past.
By using these services, businesses are lowering their risk and improving efficiency to handle some of the load that could not be performed by just one person. According to CompTIA, more than two thirds of businesses said they have used external IT firm services within the past year.
No service is the same. A large portion of services offer a la carte options, which allow businesses to choose the help they get – such as email hosting, CRM applications, storage, network monitoring, or even backup and recovery efforts. These are the services that are most commonly and easily adapted through managed IT services.
Having an external person(s) handle monitoring servers, desktop activity, or the network as a whole will really be a breathe of fresh air to your IT department, or IT person. Plus, these services are usually run 24/7, not just during business hours, so there is additional peace of mind. Further, hosting is another great benefit that can be had through managed IT services. Having email managed in the cloud through a provider frees up more time for in house IT services and provides a more malleable service to your employees.
Overall, your business gets to be picky-choosey, just the way you like it. Getting rid of unnecessary in house applications and replacing them using managed IT services, most likely through the cloud, will free up time, get rid of tedious updating and processing for your IT department, and get your business into the future.
Should you handle all your own devices?
Mobility with work is a hot topic. Day to day functions are increasingly being taken to the home, local coffee shop, or out in the field than being done in the office than ever before. One common thing businesses are doing to improve this are bring-your-own-device policies. Though, this kind of policy makes it complicated for IT to handle the chaos of issues from having different devices, platforms, and apps/services that each individual employee may use making continuity difficult. Additionally, providing security for each individual, and making sure each individual is being safe using their own devices with sensitive information on it becomes that much harder as well.
Providing employees with devices provides its own challenges, like setting up, managing, and activating networks, emails, or applications can also be time consuming for you IT department, which could practically a job in itself. A lack in oversight and proper handling of these services allows these tasks to be handled by employees, and not well. Lost devices, easy to hack passwords, and downloading and browsing non work related items can all early break down the wall of security your business tries so hard to protect.
Another device that needs servicing and attention often is company printers, copiers, and scanners. Managed IT services can monitor machines, diagnose issues, and push notifications about the device. The printers can even be configured remotely with the already built in security. Not only are the printers managed, but accurate data can be kept about usage of the machines from the managed IT services team.
Similarly to other services, managed IT services can also properly handle devices and device security through the right mobile device management, or MDM. Thats right, the IT burden can be broken and security can stay standing high and mighty over all your business does. Protecting sensitive business and personal data, managed IT services provide integrated solutions to access your devices quicker, saver, and across your network which can burden the IT department.
So, what is a business to do?
Technology is the way of the future, and it does not have to be complicated, overbearing, or even deadly to your company – as long as its handled with care. Managed IT services allows your company to (deploy) resources better. New solutions can be discovered through Managed IT services, such as lessening printer load by allowing more cloud storage for important documents.
Strategic use of your resources is nothing new, though the way we use them is. IT departments are a huge asset given they have the time to handle the big stuff, and not have sweat the day to day nuances. Outsourcing the stuff your IT department needs help with will allow your IT department to do what they are really good at.
That’s where we can help. The bottom line: If growing your business, while controlling costs, is on your mind, it’s time to talk with Stratix Systems.
About Stratix Systems
With offices in Reading, Lehigh Valley, Philadelphia and Central and Northern New Jersey, Stratix Systems is one of the region’s leading technology solutions partners —with the people, resources and experience to deliver the IT, content/document management and imaging support you need: where, when and how you need it. In fact, very few providers in the region can match the vast array of total business solutions and responsive service available from Stratix Systems. It’s no wonder why we are the partner-of-choice for over 4,500 organizations throughout Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Have a question? Get an answer. Our experienced systems experts would be happy to answer your questions, help you explore your options and develop a customized plan for you. Learn more at www.stratixsystems.com or call us toll-free 1-800-444-2943.