We understand the reluctance to contract a managed service provider (MSP) to look after your IT – especially if you’re used to handling this aspect of your operations yourself.

But with costs increasing, the threat of malicious attacks always constant, and tech moving at a faster pace than ever before, you’re running the risk of falling behind and spending far too much on your IT if you don’t partner with a capable firm that can deliver year-round support for you and your employees.

Here are six reasons why investing in managed IT services will almost certainly make sense for your business.

1. You get professional insights and expertise, without the additional overheads

If you’re lacking IT skills in-house, and your limited IT knowledge is beginning to affect your productivity (and ultimately your growth), bringing a third party in to provide ongoing IT support makes logical and operational sense.

This is particularly true if you are a relatively small company that simply can’t stretch to a full IT department yet, but you still want the reassurance that someone will be at the end of the phone if you run into trouble with your hardware or software.

Plus, by bringing in a MSP, you won’t need to worry about going through the hiring process, and allowing for things like holidays, pension contributions and sick pay for IT-related employees. As your outsourcing partner, we’ll take care of this.

2. You get robust coverage

An MSP will have a full team of IT experts on hand to answer every question and take care of every problem. From fixing issues with common apps to providing 24/7 monitoring services, your outsourced IT department will be able to handle all your technical requirements around the clock, leaving you to focus on the aspects of running your business you actually enjoy. 

3. You’ll be introduced to more efficient (and cost-effective) ways of doing things

Struggling along with spreadsheets to manage your projects when you could streamline your admin with Dynamics GP instead? Perhaps you think you’re getting a good deal on your Microsoft subscriptions, but you could actually save cash by switching to a different package or agreement?

Work with a MSP, and they will almost always be able to present you with a more appropriate software solution to help you tackle any business challenge. A good managed service provider will also monitor your apps, systems, and usage to make sure you’re getting the most from this technology and none of your investment is wasted. 

4. You know your systems are well-protected

Strong cybersecurity should be a top priority for any business owner. But if you have a limited understanding of anti-virus tools, it’s often difficult to understand what you need in place, and why. A managed service provider will be able to suggest lots of ways to ensure your software is protected against malware, ransomware, and other means of attacking your systems and compromising your data. What’s more, they will ensure your anti-virus software is constantly updated, so it’s always working as hard as possible to keep your business safe.

Any good MSP worth their salt will ensure your protection stretches to a comprehensive disaster recovery strategy, too. So, if the worst should happen and you lose your data, you’ll know there will be backups in place that will get you up and running again ASAP. 

5. You know you have a team working to future-proof your IT

Staying on top of your IT can often feel like a full-time job in itself – and that’s because it often is!

An MSP will ensure your systems are secure and fully up to date by installing the newest patches and upgrades as soon as they become available. What’s more, they will actively propose newer and more effective IT solutions for your business – so you can rest assured you’ll always be one step ahead as far as your tech is concerned.

6. You only pay for what you need

Unlike full-time employees, MSPs offer unrivalled flexibility. Growing fast? You can increase your package. Need to consolidate for the time being? No problem – your agreement can be adjusted to accommodate your changing circumstances.

Bypass the expense (and hassle) that comes with in-house IT specialists, and hand this important aspect of your business over to an IT partner, instead. You’ll only ever pay for the time and expertise you’re using – nothing more, and nothing less.

Why partner with ECOM?

• Unlike many other Essex-based IT MSPs, ECOM charges monthly fees, not hourly bills. The price you pay will cover the core services you have agreed with our staff.
• We’ll take the time to understand your business and your unique goals, and tailor your IT strategy to suit your short- and long-term objectives.
• We man an in-house support desk rather than an outsourced call centre – so you’ll always get straight through to a knowledgeable member of staff.
• Our SLAs include a 4-hour response time as standard – so you’ll never be waiting days for a reply from our team!
• Most IT issues can be solved remotely. However, we offer onsite visits to local customers, allowing you direct access to our engineers at your own premises, whenever you need them.

Contact ECOM today to learn more about the many benefits of working with an MSP, and to discuss how we can tailor our IT services to meet your company’s requirements.