Most business owners and/or operators understand the need for IT professionals. Unless you already have a lifetime of experience in IT, you need access to experts who can help you navigate technology and security. One of the easiest ways to fill that need is to contract managed IT services.
A Quick Refresher on Managed IT Services
Managed IT services is a term that describes the general concept of outsourcing IT work for any business. The services can range in scope and application, and they can encompass anything and everything relating to IT.
You can have managed IT services that provide help desk support for troubleshooting problems as they arise. Other services can manage your printing equipment and workflows to optimize spending on paper and ink. Many businesses invest in third-party services for cloud access and resources.
When leveraged correctly, outsourced IT can help businesses tighten their budgets. It allows you to get more IT resources for less money. You sacrifice direct control by enlisting third parties, but the improvements in your bottom line are often worth it.
You also gain access to experienced IT professionals. Small businesses often find it challenging to vet expertise for internal IT hiring. When you contract a service provider, you can use reviews and recommendations to help vet them. From there, you can rely on their IT expertise.
A final point to remember about managed IT providers is they also help with vendor contracting. Service providers often have their own relationships with several vendors. When you contract a provider, you also reap the benefits of those relationships. This can help you save money and get better services.
Requirements of Your Managed IT Services Agreement
When you recognize the value of outsourced IT, you will want to look for a service provider that fits your Iselin business. In your search, there are contractual components to consider carefully. While reviewing the services is essential, IT management has other aspects, and it’s important to keep them all in mind.
Services
This is the first thing you will review. What specific services are offered by the IT provider? You probably have an idea of some services that you need. They might involve hardware installation, software upkeep, help desk support, or any number of additional services.
Your provider will likely recommend some services that aren’t at the top of your list. Often, they will recognize opportunities to help your workflows.
You should also understand how you can change your contracted services over time. Businesses grow and change, and you need an IT provider that can change with you.
Data Management and Recovery
Data management and recovery are essential services that are easy to overlook. How is your data protected and backed up? How can you recover if data is lost? Recovery plans should cover physical disasters, security disasters, and other forms of downtime.
You want a provider that can guarantee the safety of your data and get you back online quickly in the face of a negative event. The last thing you want is for a ransomware attack to take down your business at a critical moment.
Security
One of the leading reasons to contract a managed IT provider is to access professional cybersecurity resources. You want a digital security plan in place, and you should consider how your potential vendor provides and warrants such services.
A good IT provider will want to audit your current security provisions so they can customize a security plan of action that protects your business.
Terms
The contract terms lay out responsibilities and guarantees, detailing the duties the IT vendor is assuming. This ranges from guaranteed hours of work each month to their financial liability in the case of an IT failure or downtime.
The terms also cover the termination of the contract and any other obligations.
How to Get Started: Finding a Vendor
If you’re a small business, you might be running solely on what you have figured out for yourself. If your business isn’t relatively small, you might already have an IT person on the payroll or contracted.
Consider what you already have and look for providers to fill in the gaps and expand your IT resources to cover existing needs and future goals. Once you’ve worked these out, you’re ready to start talking with IT providers.
That’s when you should contact the team at KDI Office Technology. We can start that conversation and outline how we can help your Philadelphia, eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware business.