Interscale Content Hub – With cyber threats on a global scale, Australian businesses are facing some pretty unprecedented IT challenges, just like their counterparts around the world.
So, why do businesses need managed IT services? Businesses face many other challenges besides global threats.
Simply put, managed IT services help you keep your IT infrastructure running smoothly while you focus on your core operations.
And as we saw in “The Business Benefits of Managed IT Services,” the global managed services market is really taking off. In fact, 61% of businesses plan to invest in these services in the near future.
So yes, the main reasons are fundamental and beyond trends. That’s why we’re going to break it down here.
What is the Role of Managed IT Services?
Managed IT services help your business keep up with the latest tech without slowing you down.
The “Managed IT Services Overview, Importance, and Benefits,” by Veritis says you can outsource your IT management and maintenance to a third-party provider, or Managed Service Provider (MSP), for short.
MSPs take care of all sorts of IT tasks, from monitoring and maintenance to security and even infrastructure management.
This outsourcing model lets businesses make the most of expert knowledge, cut downtime by over 85%, and get more efficiency and scalability.
One of the best things about managed IT services is you can count on them to be proactive.
As TPx says in “The Business Benefits of Managed IT Services,” MSPs keep an eye on IT systems all the time, stopping problems before they become big issues.
This is a very different approach to traditional reactive IT management, where problems are only dealt with when they actually happen.
By keeping everything running smoothly and stopping problems before they become big issues, managed IT services make it easier for businesses to operate and reduce the chance of expensive outages.
As a starting point, you might want to take a look at “What Is IT Managed Services & Benefits Your Company Will Get.”
Why do Businesses Need Managed IT Services?
There are lots of great reasons why businesses, especially in Australia, should think about managed IT services.
The Cisco paper, “What You Need to Know about Managed Services,” says cost reduction is a big reason to go for managed services.
It says outsourcing IT management can cut in-house costs by 30% to 40%.
The good news is there’s more. With 65% of IT budgets usually spent just on keeping things running, managed services can free up resources for more strategic projects.
This means businesses can focus on growth, not just maintenance.
Another big plus is how it can help with security. Veritis says there’s no doubt how managed IT services are a great way to make your cybersecurity stronger.
MSPs keep your data safe with regular updates and real-time monitoring, so you can stay compliant with the latest regulations.
This is especially important in Australia, where cyber attacks are becoming bolder and more common.
The other thing is how managed IT services help businesses to work better by making sure their IT systems are always up to date and running smoothly.
The flexibility to scale up or down as needed means businesses can adapt quickly to market changes without spending a fortune.
This flexibility is vital for businesses who want to stay competitive in a fast-changing market.
How Can Managed IT Services Improve Business Efficiency?
What are the benefits of using managed IT services for a business? Another big reason is efficiency. And saving money is definitely one of the main benefits.
The Veritis white paper says businesses lose an average of 12.4 hours per employee each year because of server downtime.
By getting an MSP to look after their IT, companies can cut these downtime hours, which means they’ll save a lot of money and get a lot more done.
Also, managed IT services give businesses access to the latest tech without the costs that come with owning it.
TPx’s research shows how managed services help businesses stay ahead of the tech curve without the hassle of constant upgrades and replacements, as the service provider handles these.
Finally, managed IT services help you keep your budget on track.
With fixed monthly fees or pay-as-you-go models, businesses can avoid the financial surprises that often come with IT maintenance and upgrades.
This financial predictability, along with the operational efficiencies gained, makes managed IT services a valuable asset for any business looking to optimise its IT infrastructure and overall performance.
Challenges in Implementing Managed IT Services
One of the main challenges businesses face is moving from in-house IT management to an outsourced model.
Cisco’s white paper, “What You Need to Know about Managed Services,” says the shift often involves IT teams inside the company being resistant to the change, seeing it as a threat to their job security.
This is a real concern. Cisco says that up to 65% of an IT budget is spent on maintaining current systems.
So, reducing these costs through managed services could be seen as a direct challenge to the existing IT staff’s role.
Another big challenge is the risk of service disruptions during the transition.
As the Veritis report points out, moving to a managed services provider (MSP) often means moving critical systems and data, which can affect business operations for a while.
The report says that 80% of network outages are caused by changes to the system, which shows how risky this transition phase can be.
Security is also a big issue when it comes to implementing new systems.
As businesses move their IT management to third parties, it’s important to make sure these providers stick to the highest security standards.
TPx’s report says that the average company gets hit with over 1,400 cyber attacks a week.
It’s important that the MSP not only stops these attacks happening, but also has the ability to respond quickly and effectively when a breach does occur.
That’s why finding the right MSP is so much more than just a challenge.
Cisco says not all providers are the same. Some may not have the full range of skills needed to manage complex IT environments.
It’s important for businesses to think carefully about which MSPs they work with, making sure they have the right expertise, especially when it comes to managing the latest tech.
For your another perspective, please refer to “Your IT Support is Slow as a Koala? Time to Choose IT Support Australia.”
Criteria for Choosing a Managed IT Service Provider
So, why do businesses need managed IT services? There are so many different reasons, aren’t there?
That’s why it’s so important to make the right choice. To do that, we need to follow a few fundamental and look-simple steps.
Most importantly, the provider knows what they’re doing and has experience.
As the Veritis white paper says, a good MSP should show they understand your industry’s particular needs and challenges.
This expertise should go beyond just basic IT support and include things like proactive management of IT infrastructure, security, and compliance.
It’s also a good idea to check how stable the provider is financially and how big they are.
Cisco says businesses can cut their in-house IT costs by 30% to 40% by teaming up with a well-established MSP.
But we shouldn’t sacrifice quality to save money. The MSP should have the financial backing to invest in the latest tech and the scalability to grow with your business as your IT needs change.
It’s also important to look at how the MSP handles security.
With cyberattacks getting more frequent and sophisticated, it’s crucial that the provider has solid security measures in place, including 24/7 monitoring, threat detection, and rapid incident response.
It’s a good idea to look for providers you can trust to keep your data safe. Make sure they have a proven track record of managing security for similar organisations and can demonstrate compliance with relevant industry regulations.
Another key thing to think about is the Service Level Agreement (SLA).
Veritis says it’s important to have SLAs set out clearly so you know what you’re getting and the provider can meet your expectations.
Finally, remember to look at how well the provider supports customers and communicates. Good communication is the key to a successful partnership.
TPx’s research shows the best MSPs give you clear reports and regular updates on the health of your IT systems. This means you can make smart choices about your IT strategy.
The IT Headache: A Familiar Foe in the AEC World?
As you can see, there are lots of different ways to choose an MSP. On paper, it seems like a pretty simple and straightforward process. Yup, it looks so practical.
However, once we have to choose, we’ll quickly reach a point of saturation and complexity.
That’s why we at Interscale put ourselves forward as your first choice for MSPs in the AEC industry.
Now, the question; Why should you consider making Interscale your managed service provider (MSP) right now?
We’re not just making empty promises here. Our clients have told us that they’ve saved a lot of money by partnering with us.
That’s money you can put back into what matters most: designing and building amazing structures that’ll make even the Sydney Opera House look humble.
Yes, our managed IT solutions are designed with one goal in mind: to make your AEC projects easier.
Just picture a world where your IT infrastructure is so smooth and effortless, you barely notice it’s there.
That’s the world we create, so you can focus on what you do best – designing and building incredible structures.
Of course, we don’t expect you to take this on faith alone.
We’re all about transparency and doing our homework. We suggest you do your research – take a look at our track record, explore our services, and ask us any questions you may have.
Start with our Interscale IT Managed Services page, where you’ll find all the details about how we operate.
We’d also love to have a catch-up – maybe over a coffee and a croissant?
Let’s discuss the IT headaches you’ve been dealing with and explore how we can make them disappear.
In Closing
MSPs are a great way for businesses to get to grips with the ins and outs of IT management.
With an MSP, you can focus on what you do best and grow your business in a sustainable way.
So, why do businesses need managed IT services? It’s about giving your business the tools it needs to succeed in the digital age.
