What is Managed Services and Why Should You Care?

Have you ever found yourself staring an IT crisis in the face, dreading the bill for repairs and new equipment almost as much as the downtime itself? If so, then you might have already considered moving to a managed services agreement. On the other hand, if you haven't had this kind of experience - yet - now might be the perfect time to check one out. So what is managed services exactly... and why should you care?

Simply put, a managed services agreement means that you have an IT provider who looks after your systems regularly for a monthly fee, instead of working on a "break-fix" model that can cause unexpected expenses. In other words, it's about controlling costs and avoiding expensive downtime. After all, would you rather have a predictable IT budget or live in fear of an IT problem that can be very expensive to fix?

Ask any client who has been through the process, they can tell you, it's easy for IT expenses to get out of hand quickly when you have a major problem, or one that's hard to diagnose. With managed services major problems are avoided and/or addressed before they get to the "crisis' level. It is a win-win for both the clients and the IT services provider. Neither party worries about the amount of time it takes to find and implement the right solution.

Another key point about a managed services agreement is that your IT services provider will be proactive, rather than responding to problems. challenges. This means they will work to prevent problems from ever popping up by taking proactive measures like monitoring your software updates, backing up your most important files, making sure your email server stays online, and keeping you safe from security intrusions. Any of these problems could require several hours or days of downtime and your IT provider's time to fix. These problems can result in lost sales or decreased productivity, which are often "hidden" technology expenses for small businesses.

While it might not seem like such a big deal at first glance, the down time associated with technology that's not working, or working poorly, can actually be a bigger expense than the repair and maintenance itself. That's because time that your employees can't do their jobs, or your customers can't reach you, is roughly equal to having money fly out the door.

Here are a few quick things to look for in a managed services provider:

24/7 availability. Technology problems don't always wait for a convenient time. To make sure your business can stay up and running at all hours, you should have an IT team that's willing to do the same.

The patience to answer your questions. There are going to be times, in the course of working with your managed services provider, that you're going to have questions or need longer explanations. Be sure to choose a managed services provider with the patience to be helpful and informative.

A committed team of experts. Obviously, this is an area where expertise is key. You want a managed services team with experience on a wide variety of systems and platforms. Don't be afraid to ask if they're familiar with your hardware and software setup. Get examples and references.

For many small and medium-size businesses, managed service agreements are a wonderful way to keep a lid on costs and minimize technology downtime.

To find out how one of these agreements can stop hardware and software failure from costing you money, prevent huge IT bills, and get your IT partner working proactively to prevent problems, contact Net Friends today.