Businesses need proper I.T. management to run smoothly. Did you know that with Managed Computer Support, you can save time and money?
With remote work support on the rise, companies are relying on their I.T. infrastructure more than ever. Entire companies operate electronically nowadays, and few wouldn’t suffer immense losses if their I.T. network encountered a significant issue. To fully understand Managed Computer Support, you should get familiar with the services they cover.
What You Will Learn In This Article:
What Are Managed Services?
Managed Services are a way to simplify your I.T. management. This system lets a Managed Service Provider (MSP) bear total responsibility for any issue related to your company’s technology.
With managed services in I.T., business owners no longer have to worry about data loss or computer problems; experts handle these issues and relieve owners to worry about what matters to them – running the business. MSPs work hand-in-hand with your I.T. systems by streamlining your workflows into optimal efficiency and productivity. Similarly, they offer numerous services according to your business’s needs and requirements.
Keep reading to find out how this service model is quickly overtaking the break-fix model of old.
How Managed Computer Support Became the New Norm
Understanding the history of managed services will give you a clearer picture of its role in your company. Technology is constantly evolving at a rapid pace. Meanwhile, the tools to service the changing systems have had trouble catching up.
A lack of tools hindered companies that serviced small networks in the past. Networks used to be simple systems, often programmed and rolled out by a self-taught technician. The maintenance for these servers was break-fix only, meaning that only the technician could fix it when something went wrong.
The Evolution from “Break-Fix” Support
The most advanced computer technicians gradually created advanced on-site visit checklists to scope out bugs before becoming a problem. However, the limitation was that these service technicians could only see what was happening within the day of their diagnostic. If something else happened in the future, there’s no way they would know unless someone at the company noticed first.
This inherent inefficiency often spiraled out of control for businesses that were early adopters of new technology. Companies were facing lost emails, internet outages, or printer shutdowns because of the limited scope of their I.T. management.
Break-fix support was also susceptible to human error. Managing passwords and email addresses created a constant uphill climb for technicians who played defense during periods of downtime.
The Difference in Pricing Models
The models of I.T. support and managed service described above have different price points. For example, here’s a summary of the pricing models for each:
Outsourced Traditional Support
If a traditional I.T. support model involves outsourcing, businesses typically either purchase a block of usable hours or pay an annual retainer. However, this type of support usually isn’t very flexible – it’s a one-size-fits-all model. After that, if your business ever needs more or less I.T. management, you’ll have to renegotiate your contract with your provider.
In-House Traditional Support
Traditional in-house support usually involves paying the total cost of salary, benefits, and training for full-time employees. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the median base salary for a Computer Support Specialist runs around $50,980 a year. Furthermore, the payroll of higher-tier staff can reach up to $65,000 – $70,000 per employee.
Managed Service Support
Managed computer support usually comes with a fixed-fee model. That keeps the price static over a defined period allowing for predictable budgeting and cost management. For example, a typical M.S. engagement for ITSM over three years for a medium-sized company can cost up to approximately 40% less than a traditional in-house I.T. support unit. The service parameters are defined up-front based on ticket volumes, service coverage hours, and on-site support. As a result, your MSP will be more accountable to your needs.
5 Major Benefits of Managed Computer Support
1) Less downtime means more revenue
Both business owners and internal I.T. staff would much rather focus on growing their revenue. Importantly, a genuine MSP can simplify certain routines, including:
- Firstly, mundane network operations maintenance;
- Secondly, repetitious monitoring of server and storage infrastructure;
- Lastly, on-site visits and help desk support
2) A single manager for all of your technology
The goal of an MSP is to deliver on contracted services, measure, report, analyze and optimize I.T. service operations, and truly become an irreplaceable catalyst for business growth. MSPs don’t just assume leadership roles. They enable risk reduction, enhanced efficiency, and ease of access.
3) Access to the latest software to protect your business
Whether you need a new firewall, email encryption, or anti-malware, an MSP can deliver. Instead of dealing with the hassle of multiple subscriptions to complex platforms, you can save headaches by relying on the single-source responsibility of one clear I.T. bill.
4) The expertise of an entire I.T. department at a fraction of the cost
Let’s face it. You don’t want to waste time putting out completely preventable fires. Hiring the right MSP can save you countless hours of stress and turmoil. By paying one flat rate for all of your technology needs, you can access:
- Affordable server and computer support
- Remote monitoring of critical network components like servers and firewalls
- Data backup and disaster recovery
- Network security
- Custom software solutions
- Technology evaluations
- And more!
5) Cut your I.T. management costs by up to 50%
If your company relies on piecemeal, break-fix support, you’ll be paying much more over time. The best way to reduce I.T. costs is through consistency and reliability. A full-fledged MSP will deliver both.
The Right Managed Computer Support For Your Business
Some companies will market their product as a managed service disingenuously. They may try to take advantage of the “managed services” hype and sell you an inferior package. Above all, providing accurate managed services requires a substantial investment in both technology and expert staff to operate appropriately.
Some companies that offer “managed services” are selling you a beefed-up break-fix service. They’ll merely dial in or remote access your systems to fix problems on your network. In other words, they won’t provide any proactive maintenance, and that’s how you can tell they’re selling an inferior service.
In conclusion, ensure that you’re getting what you pay for with an I.T. company. Don’t fall for impostors.
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About Cinch I.T.
Since 2004, Cinch I.T. has been providing customer-focused I.T. services for businesses of all sizes. Whether you need on-site support or a reliable cloud computing office, our computer support offers the fastest and friendliest service in the industry. Cinch is one of the nation’s fastest-growing I.T. support franchises with 8 locations and counting. To learn more about our managed computer support, visit cinchit.com. For more information about I.T. franchise opportunities, visit cinchfranchise.com.
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