What Do Managed IT Service Providers Do?

 

Many businesses have IT services because it is becoming essential. There are outsourced as well as in-house services that companies have the option of using. Even though IT services are everywhere, do you know what we do for companies? Read on as we explain what IT services are and what we do as a managed IT service provider.

What Is a Managed IT Service Provider?

A managed IT service provider is a third-party company that provides technical services to companies to monitor and manage their IT infrastructure. The services that are provided depend on the package you choose. There are many different terms used to describe them; however, they are essentially the go-to for anything technical within your company.

What Do They Do?

The job of IT services includes a variety of different tasks and skills. Here are a few services that are provided with IT services:

·        Remote Desktop / Office support

·        Cybersecurity

·        Network Monitoring

·        Maintenance

Services vary on the packages that are chosen from the provider. They are customizable to meet the needs of your business, no more and no less. Each business is different, so specifically what managed IT service providers do is monitor and manage your network; however, they can do more if that is what you require.

Is Outsourcing Beneficial?

Outsourcing a managed IT service provider has many benefits. Not only is it cost-effective, but your company can focus on the core business rather than just the technical. These providers are highly skilled professionals that can help with any technical advance or issue that arises.

Having the right people to take care of your network is important. Your business is precious and having the very best watching over it can bring some ease to your mind, knowing that any issue and update will be taken care of by professionals that have been extensively trained.

How Do I Choose the Right Company?

This is a very important question to ask when looking for a managed IT service provider. Before answering that question, your company must evaluate what is needed out of a provider. Define the goals and expectations that you have for them. After those are defined, working with a personable company is important. Being able to talk to multiple people to fix an issue at any given time will come in handy.

That is why at TXSG we pride ourselves on providing team-based service to our clients. We believe that having a trusting relationship with our clients is essential to provide services for our clients to thrive. If your business is looking for a managed IT service provider, contact us and let us know how we can help your business got to the next level. 

Data Loss, Explained by A Managed Cloud Service Provider

 

Backing up your data can seem trivial when everything is going smoothly. However, if a system crashed or the power went out in the middle of a project, it can become a very big problem. Especially for startups, backing up your data is an essential part of your network.

According to a 2019 study, 1 in 5 small businesses close when they experience an attack by malware. When a cyberattack happens to a startup or small to medium businesses (SMBS), the recovery is very costly in time and money. Read on as we explain what the real cost is of not having data backed up and how you can utilize managed cloud service providers to prevent shutdowns.

What is the financial cost of data loss?

The average cost of data loss fluctuates by the year. A study done in 2018 by IBM shows that in 2018, the average global cost per data breach incident was around $3.9 million. Recovery costs can be significantly higher or lower depending on the amount of time passed between the initial breach and resecuring your network.

In 2021, the average cost rose almost 10% from $3.9 million to $4.2 million. This is the highest average cost of data breaches in 17 years.

Downtime due to data loss can, also, provide financial loss. When your network has been breached, the company’s normal operations come to a complete stop. Depending on the company’s size, there can be a loss of thousands of dollars per hour if the network is offline.

What is the non-financial cost?

Losing data can cause a major loss in money; however, there can be additional non-financial consequences as well, such as in the case of a network halt. There can be a stop in production which can affect productivity, reputation, and push out of product.

Service interruptions can cause users to be irritated and can damage loyalty. The reputation of the business is vital. Especially with social media these days, a small negative interaction can cause a large pushback.

What factors can cause the loss of data?

Several different factors can cause the loss of data. Every business is different and there will not be the same cause across each business. Here are a few common causes:

-        Failed Power

-     Accidental / Intentional Data Removal

-    Network Malfunction

-      Natural Disasters

-      Hacking / Malware

-       Theft

What can be done to prevent data loss?

Data loss can be prevented by having backup services in place. Many companies benefit from using managed cloud service providers to set up a cloud to back up data. These services can provide cybersecurity as well as extra storage just in case your companies network shutdown or is compromised. This is what we provide with our Bright Cloud Private Cloud Hosting Service. Contact us today to learn how to secure your data. 

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your MSP Services

Managed service providers (MSPs) offer a lot of value to enterprises that are otherwise unable to carry out IT-related activities on their own. Many MSPs provide multiple types of solutions, so it is important that you and your provider are both aware of the scope of the services you will receive. A service level agreement (SLA) is designed to just that, as it is essentially a contract that outlines the details of the ongoing services that an MSP will perform for your company. That said, just because an SLA exists does not mean that you are taking full advantage of everything your MSP services have to offer. Read on as we discuss a couple ways to get the most value from your contract.

Cut Out the IT Middleman.

Businesses that are accustomed to a break-fix model prior to leveraging MSP services are often used to an arrangement where they have an internal employee screening each IT issue before it is handed over to the provider. This is because using the break-fix model means that every single time the provider is contacted, it costs the organization money. This mindset can act as a hindrance when businesses switch over to managed services if the appropriate changes are not made. In fact, routing tech problems through someone internally first as opposed to directly engaging an MSP can delay the MSP’s response, thereby preventing the company from maximizing the value of their contract. 

Part of your MSP’s job is to identify IT-related subjects that your team might need more training on and problematic pieces of equipment. Having an IT “middleman” perform these tasks undermines the need for a third-party provider at all. Therefore, firms should eliminate any in-house intermediaries that might exist and simply let their MSPs do what they do best.

Don’t Exclude Your MSP From Important Planning Stages. 

When a company is considering implementing a new technology (such as software, hardware, an online application, and so on), they often fail to consult their MSP prior to purchasing it. Failing to contact your IT provider beforehand can lead to a lot of headaches in terms of integrating the new tech into your business’s existing IT infrastructure. 

Instead, it is always better to involve your MSP in the early planning stages, as they can usually help firms choose the software that is best suited for their needs. Your MSP’s software selection and product evaluation processes can provide your enterprise with additional value because it helps you gain a better understanding of what is required for certain technologies to work in your current IT environment. This input can speed up the decision process, as it helps businesses narrow down their options. Moreover, your MSP can give you more insight on additional costs or risks that are involved with the adoption of new tech. For example, MSPs should be able to tell you whether the implementation will require additional security, another server, additional networking, or another adjustment in order to run smoothly. Including your IT provider in the planning process can help you ensure that your organization is fully aware of the total cost of ownership of the software/equipment before investing in it. 

Are you in the market for MSP services? If so, contact us at TXSG today to learn more about the value we can offer your business through our BrightStar Managed IT Services. 

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Outsourced IT Services for Startups

Many startup businesses take the approach of doing everything in-house, as their budgets are usually tighter than more established enterprises’. However, as your company grows, you will need to begin expanding your reach and competing with larger organizations in your industry. When thinking about expansion, it is a good idea to consider outsourcing your IT services for your new company. While outsourcing IT services for startups can be a great idea, it might not be a good fit for every business. Below are some of the main advantages and disadvantages of hiring a trusted third-party IT company to manage all things technology for your new firm.

The Pros

IT services for startups and small businesses are surprisingly affordable.

When you enlist the help of a third-party IT company that provides flexible options in terms of pricing and services, you will save money in the long run. This is because IT companies that offer a wide array of packages to cover various clients’ needs are able to better hone in on what features best suit your company’s IT requirements. For example, TXSG’s BrightStar Remote Managed IT Service package offers services that are tailored to a remote workforce so that you are not paying for a service that would be a better fit for an in-office team.

Experts are available to handle complicated IT issues.

There is nothing that is more comforting than knowing that any of your startup’s IT hiccups can be quickly and effectively handled by a team of experienced IT experts. These experts are problem-solvers that can provide support when a minor – or major – IT issue arises. IT emergencies can impede on the progress of large corporations, but for startups, the results can be significantly more devastating. When IT problems cause a big client to go a different direction, or if your network experiences security issues, it can take your new business weeks or even months to recover.

The Cons

You will not need an in-house team.

If your goal is to have an in-house IT team in the future but you do not currently have the time or resources to do so, then it might just be the perfect time for you to outsource your IT services. While in-house IT support is great for some organizations, not all companies run the same way, especially newer startups. In the long run, the overhead, training, and employee contracts can actually add up to a more costly solution than simply turning over the technology duties to an outsourced team.

If you find that you are spending too many hours focused on IT woes instead of your company’s own core offerings, it might be time to call in the experts. Here at TXSG, we offer services tailored to unique high-tech startups. We know that brand new businesses have a tendency to expand quickly, so our scalable IT solutions are perfect for your growing list of needs. To learn more, contact us today.