Considering outsourcing your IT support, but not quite sure what services are covered or what an engagement with an outside IT provider would look like day-to-day?
Businesses rely on technology to keep all of their operations running smoothly. But the question becomes, who keeps the technology running smoothly — especially if you’re working on a small budget or with a small team? Whether you’re a small or medium-sized business, or even an enterprise-level company, you can benefit from having an external provider deliver some or all of the IT functions your business needs.
Here are some of the most common services an outsourced IT company provides:
Remote support/service desk support
What this is: This resource can gain remote access to your systems (with your permission, of course) to troubleshoot issues.
Example use cases: Fixing a down computer or network, deploying patches to your software, setting up new users
Network monitoring
What it is: Helps you optimize the performance of all of your systems in real time, including hardware and software.
Example use cases: Tracking bandwidth, use and uptime, detecting device or connection failures, reporting performance issues
Cloud services
What this is: Helps you get into the cloud or make the most of your existing cloud investments.
Example use cases: Cloud migrations and architecture planning and setup, cloud monitoring, capacity planning, governance, backup and storage
Disaster recovery
What it is: The procedures and protocols that will allow you to reclaim your technology and data after a cyber attack or natural disaster.
Example use cases: Developing business continuity plans, restoring operations, recovering databases and files, backups and storage
Cybersecurity
What this is: Threat detection and elimination via a comprehensive approach to maintain the security and integrity of your systems.
Example use cases: Risk assessment, security monitoring, rapid response to minimize the impact of a cybersecurity incident, employee education
Managed services
What this is: Proactive management of your IT infrastructure, allowing you to minimize downtime and disruptions, and better leverage technology.
Example use cases: Everything listed above and then some
IT strategy planning
What this is: IT consulting that helps you assess and implement the necessary technology to improve and grow your business.
Example use cases: Digital transformation, infrastructure planning, ERP selection, network design
What else should outsourced IT support services do?
Your IT support provider isn’t just there to fulfill a menu of services; they should be doing their part to strategically help you implement and manage technology as an asset that can propel your business growth.
Provide a wide IT skill set:
Even if you have an in-house IT department, it’s likely certain skills, certifications, and know-how will be lacking. When you work with a managed services provider (MSP), you’ll get access to a much broader range of IT best practices and knowledge. Having the ability to leverage that can make a big difference in your quest to be competitive.
Reduce costs:
System downtime and lack of worker productivity can cost you. So can equipment repairs, data breaches or other cybersecurity issues. In addition to reducing or eliminating the overhead costs that come with hiring a full roster of IT staff, outsourcing IT services can save you big in other ways, by helping you manage and minimize costs associated with technology.
Get to know your business:
All of the other to-dos — from network monitoring to disaster recovery — are just tasks when not completed within the context of the larger “why.” At AccountabilIT, we aim to understand your business objectives, so we can create custom IT solutions that will help you achieve your goals.
Let you focus on core business matters:
Outsourcing critical business functions, such as IT, that aren’t your core competency and shouldn’t be your concern can free you up to focus on the things that you do best. When you’re not worried about systems going down or aging infrastructure, you can focus on the big picture of business strategy and growth — not to mention you’ll have more peace of mind.
What’s Next
Want to find out more about the benefits of outsourcing IT support, and how it can be a cost-effective way to meet all your technology needs? Get in touch with AccountabilIT. We’d love to be your IT resource.
