Managed Services-Benefiting the Small Business

With limited funds, lack of in-house expertise, and limited bandwidth, small and medium businesses turn to local experts to tend to issue on an ad-hoc basis. The lack of transparency with a break/fix model of dealing with issues is detrimental to a budding business. Additionally, it doesn’t provide essential functions like applications management, disaster recovery, or network security. The advent of mobility, cloud-based applications and storage, and complicated business processes, also puts a strain on the currently limited expertise.
Where You Need Managed Services
Managed Service Providers (MSPs) solve these issues, and much more. An MSP takes care of all the core responsibilities of the business and allows the staff to focus more on mission-critical processes, without compromising their growth curve. Managed IT services allow an SMB to do more with less. MSPs regularly assess the business network, monitor infrastructure health, and perform remote maintenance activities, including upgrades and integrations.
MSPs also provide regular updates on service contracts and warranties. This means not only does the SMB has due protection if something fails, with the help of the MSP partner and increased availability, but the SMEB is also less likely to experience any downtime. SMBs do not have to worry about hiring large in-house IT teams as they expand, as a capable MSP will be able to provide them with the necessary workforce as they grow based on their needs.
A managed services contract can range from managing small technical needs, like filtering email, to outsourcing all of a business’s technology and IT infrastructure needs. Necessarily, a Managed Services Provider (MSP) can either supplement an existing IT department or can become a small business IT department. Most MSPs also come with a flexible pay-as-you-go payment plan, and the SMB can choose a plan according to their specific requirements without burning a hole in their pocket. As soon as Managed Services are implemented, a small business will immediately start to experience the benefits. Unlike other investments which require time, Managed Services create an instant return on investment.
Increased Uptime and Productivity
With a Managed Service Provider, processes and systems become simpler. Managed services combat issues that arise because of technology, through constant monitoring and expertise. Even before problems have the chance to emerge, they are detected, planned for and prevented through the components of a properly managed services plan. With a dedicated technology partner, SMBs can prevent troubles with upgrades, software changes, growth issues, all adding to uptime and productivity.
Reduced risks
Malware, spyware, hacking, customer data loss due to breaches, or natural disasters, can all pose a serious hazard to any business. MSPs provide 24/7 security and can restore operations in the case of an emergency or cyber-attack, before the business can be affected.
Scalability
Growth is the top criterion for most small businesses, and with growth, technology demands also increase. The need for more licenses, workstations, and mailboxes arise. With Managed Services, businesses ‘pay as you grow’ and this lessens the ‘what ifs’ and ‘how manys’ that businesses on the growth path are always faced with. And with hosting options, adding additional users becomes affordable and straightforward. Managed Services allow SMBs to not pay for unused services and pay for only what they need, and also include the ability to add more when demand is met.
Decreased Downtime
Not only can an MSP track and begin remediation of an issue quickly and efficiently, but is also able to predict the danger of each event, allowing fixes that will prevent it from happening in the first place, which means businesses can keep up and running.
24/7 expert assurance
An MSP gives businesses access 24/7 to IT experts trained to provide everything, from Help Desk support to disaster recovery, Infrastructure management, firewall and virus protection, WAN/LAN monitoring, a secure virtual environment scheduled on-site support and more. An MSP manages IT needs and addresses problems, keeps data safe, secure and accessible before they affect functionality, leaving critical resources free to run the business.
Security Strengthened, Compliance Met
An MSP’s job is to be updated and prepared for the latest security threats from cybercriminals and security practices imposed by regulatory agencies. SMBs need to have a strong defense as cybercriminals become increasingly sophisticated with their strategies. The repercussions of a data breach and unmet compliance are detrimental to small businesses. MSPs research and comply with industry standards for storing, transferring, and protection of data. Working with an MSP secures business data and transactions ensuring them that their data, and that of their clients, is safe.

Reduced costs & Predictability
Budgeting can be tough for businesses due to the unpredictable nature of technology. Minor computer repairs may be needed one month, while the next month, an entire software upgrade is needed. Managed Services challenge and address the unpredictability problem. While there will still be room for some variants, Managed Service options work to bring businesses low, fixed, and predictable monthly bills. With an MSP, the SMB needs not have to wait until after an emergency to know how much it will cost. SMBs can buy packaged services that fit their budget. Plus, they do not have to pay to hire and train staff.
Tailored- Custom Solutions
IT solutions are not one size fits all as each business need is unique. An MSP gets to know a business and works to tailor a plan to take care of individual demands and needs. If a business generates a lot of data, then its backup needs are more frequent than those that generating fewer data. The best thing about using an MSP is not having to outsource all of their IT needs to them; only specific modules can be outsourced, helping the entire business to be more productive.
Get more than what you think from “YASH Technologies” – Your managed service provider
Tom Lycan Program Manager @YASH Technologies

• Managed services
• Managed Services Provider
• MSP
• SME