In the fast-paced world of business, every second counts.
Which is why unexpected IT issues can become major headaches.
Think about the last time your company faced an IT hiccup. Do you remember the stress you felt whilst it was being sorted? The frantic phone calls and messages in the dark – desperately looking for someone, anyone, to help!
Most of the time it isn’t so much the issue itself that causes pain (though there are certainly IT issues that can cause you and your company SIGNIFICANT pain) – but the feeling of wasted time and money whilst you waited for a resolution.
For a time, your focus was diverted away from your core business activities and that can really hurt you operationally and financially.
This is where and why managed IT help-desk services add so much value.
What is a Managed IT Helpdesk?
Simply put, a managed IT help-desk is an external service (delivered by service providers like Rapid IT) that handles all your company’s IT needs for you – remotely. This includes anything from solving small, everyday IT issues for you or your staff, to handling more complex deployments that help drive your business forward technologically.
A managed IT help-desk service covers everything your business needs to remain secure and productive in your day-to-day operations – including maintaining software updates, implementing and observing best practice in cybersecurity, troubleshooting IT bottlenecks, and even employee training on how to solve quick-fix issues themselves in the future.
Benefits of Outsourcing to a Managed IT Helpdesk
Cost Efficiency
It’s often assumed that hiring an external IT service is a luxury small businesses can ill afford. However, it’s surprisingly more cost-effective than hiring a full-time IT professional – and certainly more efficient that trying to muddle through yourself.
With a managed help-desk service, you pay for a package that fits your needs, users and budget best, rather than forking out the salaries, benefits, and ongoing training required when your hire in-house IT staff.
Expertise and Experience
With a managed IT helpdesk, you’re not just hiring one person; you’re hiring a whole team of specialists.
These experts live and breathe IT, day in, day out. Because they are passionate about the subject matter, they stay at the edge of advancements in information technology, often bringing insights from across industries and different types of businesses.
It’s difficult to replicate that level of timeliness in-house.
Scalability
You will be well aware of the fact that as your business grows, so will your IT needs.
You’ll be utilising more IT resources, have more users to support and probably also make yourselves a bigger target to potential cyber criminals.
Rather than having to invest in more in-house IT resource to cope with the new burden, a managed IT service can simply scale with your developing needs.
It’s relatively simple for a helpdesk service provider to allocate more resources or advanced services to your account as you need them. This flexibility can be crucial for businesses during periods of rapid expansion where time is of the essence and you want to grow fast, whilst the iron is hot, not burden yourself with a lengthy hiring process for more IT resource.
Focus on Core Business
Delegating your IT responsibilities allows you to focus on what you do best – focusing on strategic growth.
Unshackle yourself from the distraction of tackling IT tasks and issues.
Get the experts in, let them worry about it, and drive forward with your business ambitions. Full throttle.
Proactive Support
A commonly overlooked, but very real benefit, of employing a managed help-desk service is one of proactive support.
What do we mean by that exactly?
This means shifting your perception of IT Support from reactive – your typical ‘Break Fix’ IT support – to proactive IT management. A proactive support service means ongoing, real-time maintenance and monitoring of all your IT infrastructure.
This goes a long way to preventing IT problems BEFORE they occur.
Business downtime caused by waiting for IT issues to be fixed can be some of the most painful downtime there is.
With a proactive IT Management service on your side, the risks of it happening in the first place are slash dramatically.
What to Look for in a Managed IT Helpdesk Service Provider
So you’re aware of the benefits of a managed IT help-desk provider. Now, how do you go about picking one?
We’re created a list of the top five considerations to make:
Industry Expertise: Are they familiar with your industry’s specific IT needs? Do they already work with businesses like you? Can they provide a service that manages the level of users you need?
Transparency: Are they clear and upfront about Service Level Agreements (SLAs), billing and communication?
Customer Reviews: Look for feedback from businesses similar in size and scope to yours. Are they recent reviews? Can they provide a reference for you to speak to about the current level of service they receive?
Comprehensive Services: Do they offer all services that your particular business or market sector requires? Including cybersecurity, data backup, system recovery protocols, remote access, data management etc
Customer Support: You need to know how to get hold of them in an emergency. What does that process look like for office and out of hours support? All processes should be crystal clear so you never have to wonder or panic.
Implementing Managed IT Helpdesk in Your Business
Transitioning from your current setup to a managed IT help-desk service might seem daunting, but with the right provider, it can be smooth and painless.
Start by evaluating your current IT setup and identifying gaps for improvement or existing areas of concern. Then, contact several managed IT service providers to discuss your needs.
Communicate your business priorities, concerns, and any unique issues you face clearly. Meet your potential new partners in person. Do you like them? Do they seem reputable? Are they clearly answering your questions in an understanding way?
At the end of the day, you should feel comfortable and trusting in the service partner you choose. The right relationship should be a long term one – you certainly don’t want to be changing IT support providers every year or so.
So, take your time, think a lot, think of everything you’ve got… just be sure that the decision you make is the right one for you and your business.
Conclusion: Thriving with Managed IT Helpdesk
Switching to a managed IT helpdesk service can be the turning point for many businesses.
They can not only alleviate daily stress of IT management but also safeguard your growth trajectory by ensuring you are always technologically equipped and secure.
For any small business looking to streamline operations, cut costs and focus on growth, a managed IT help-desk can be a total game-changer.
Remember, the goal isn’t just to manage your IT needs—it’s to thrive with them. So, consider how such a service can transform the way you handle technology and propel your business forward.
If you’re a business local to Boca Raton, Ft Lauderdale or West Palm Beach and you’re thinking of changing IT service provider, or partnering with one for the first time, contact the Rapid IT service team today for a free IT assessment and consultation.