Managed IT Services: The Secret Weapon for Scaling Your Business

For small businesses that aim to scale, managing technologies required for expansion can be challenging. Tight budgets make it difficult to have a well-equipped internal IT team capable of handling IT operations that adapt to an organization's growth needs. 

With managed IT services, however, organizations can affordably support their staff in running a scalable IT infrastructure. They can also outsource all their IT processes to focus on growth without worrying about technical IT tasks. 

But these are just a few ways managed IT for small businesses promotes scalability. Here's a deep dive into how it enhances smooth growth in small and mid-size businesses (SMBs).

Improving Operational Efficiency

Managed IT services for small businesses make a firm's IT operations more efficient in two ways: 

Streamlines IT Processes

IT tasks like updating software and monitoring network security are repetitive. As a result, they are time-consuming when an organization accomplishes them manually. Third parties that offer IT services leverage automation to streamline these processes.

For instance, instead of manually installing software updates across multiple devices in a business, a managed IT service provider uses an automated patch management solution. The technology can download and install the latest security updates as soon as they are available.

The longer software programs remain outdated, the more vulnerable an organization is to data breaches. Updating software automatically and as early as possible prevents security weaknesses from becoming significant problems that disrupt business operations. This promotes business growth by minimizing downtime. 

Consolidates the Management of IT Activities

Outsourcing IT processes to a service provider lets you centralize the management of all IT operations, such as cybersecurity and hardware management. Instead of relying on different vendors for each IT need, an organization depends on a single service provider to oversee its entire IT environment. This reduces administrative burdens so small businesses can focus more on expansion.

Enabling Scalability and Adaptability

A managed IT service provider enables organizations to scale their technologies based on current needs. For example, most providers offer scalable cloud solutions. These services allow SMBs to upgrade or downgrade their IT resources depending on their growth demands. 

In other words, managed IT service providers can adjust their solutions to fit a business's unique needs. As a result, SMBs enjoy flexibility an in-house IT team and on-premise IT infrastructure may not have. 

Reducing IT Costs and Improving Budgeting 

The initial cost of setting up a physical IT infrastructure on an organization's premises can be expensive. Companies have to invest in: 

• Hardware such as servers, data storage systems, and firewall devices 
• Physical space for building data centers
• Electricity for running the in-house IT infrastructure 
• IT staff to maintain the on-premise IT environment
• Ongoing maintenance upgrades to keep the data centers secure and at optimal performance

Using a managed IT service provider like Standley Systems, SMBs don't have to build a physical IT infrastructure or spend money on an in-house IT department, eliminating the related overhead expenses. 

According to Forbes, using the cloud can be 10 times cheaper than developing an on-premise IT infrastructure. These savings can then go to other business activities that fuel growth. 

Apart from reducing IT costs, managed IT services streamline budgeting through flat-rate pricing. With this model, a business pays a fixed monthly fee. IT expenses become predictable, which makes budgeting easy when building a growth strategy. 

Enhancing Business Continuity

When a natural disaster like a tornado impacts a business, it can destroy data storage systems and result in information loss. Similarly, hackers can use a ransomware attack to lock access to an organization's computers or erase the information inside.

A reliable business continuity plan lets you recover from these emergencies quickly. However, creating one requires advanced IT expertise that may not be available in growing companies. 

Managed IT service providers help small businesses implement proactive cybersecurity measures. This may include:

• Compliant cybersecurity protocols: Data protection laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) outline what businesses should do to prevent and recover from cyber breaches. 
• Real-time data backup: The goal is to back up details whenever a company changes its data. This measure keeps business information backup systems as recent as possible so a business can have an up-to-date version of its data in case of a cyber attack.
• Redundant data backups: This data recovery technique involves creating multiple data copies and storing each copy in separate locations. If a cyberattack strikes an organization's systems, the company will still have a copy of the information necessary to run business operations. 

With these measures, businesses can continue to operate from where they left off before a cyberattack or natural calamity instead of starting from scratch. 

3 Factors That Matter When Choosing a Managed IT Service Provider

Below are the most important aspects to remember when organizations look to outsource their IT operations: 

Industry Expertise

Every business needs IT experts with experience in their specific field. That way, the managed IT service can help a growing organization take advantage of relevant technology while complying with industry-specific cybersecurity laws, such as HIPAA for health-related fields. Check if the provider has worked with similar organizations to evaluate niche expertise. 

Quality of Customer Support

How fast does a provider respond to inquiries? A quick response shows that the IT service company addresses the client's issues swiftly. 

Technological Capabilities

Check a provider's website to see whether they offer advanced technological solutions like cloud computing. Additionally, ask about the specific cybersecurity tools they use for encryption, disaster recovery, and data backup. The goal is to work with a managed IT service provider who is well-equipped to handle a company's IT operations securely and reliably. 

Scaling Your Business Quickly With Standley Systems

Small organizations usually view managed IT as an opportunity to outsource technical operations they can't handle in-house. However, partnering with IT service providers is a strategic move that can enhance business growth. The key is to work with an experienced managed IT service provider who understands your industry. 

Since 1934, Standley Systems has helped companies grow through dependable IT solutions. Whether your company is in healthcare, education, agriculture, or any other sector, Standley Systems offers managed IT services that promote scalability. 

Contact us today to see how we help organizations all across Oklahoma and North Texas upgrade their technologies, become more efficient, and reach their scalability goals faster.