Technical difficulties like frozen screens and slow loading applications are par for the course when your business relies on IT in any capacity. These IT problems are not only frustrating to deal with, but they often get in the way of your work.
Luckily, there’s an industry that revolves around fixing computer problems and making sure they never pop up again. Managed IT services providers (MSPs) are everywhere in the country, assisting businesses in Wichita, Kansas City, Tulsa, and other areas with a wide range of IT services. Also, they do it all for a monthly subscription fee that goes for merely a fraction of the cost of hiring an in-house technician.
Here are just a few problems you can expect a dependable MSP to fix.
Security risks and breaches
One of the core responsibilities of a reliable MSP is to ensure your business is safe from all manner of cyberthreats.
This is especially important because the cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving. Hackers are becoming increasingly proficient at finding system vulnerabilities and are more cunning than ever, using deceptive online scams to lure users into doing their bidding.
At the same time, remote work and bring your own device initiatives — which enable employees to access business resources outside the corporate network — increases the company’s exposure to attacks. According to a recent survey, 37% of remote workers experienced an increased risk of phishing attacks.
Security-focused MSPs like Summit Advisors conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to develop a comprehensive defense strategy. These strategies usually involve implementing state-of-the-art solutions like endpoint protection software, intrusion prevention systems, identity and access management, and virtual private networks. Some providers even offer security training, so that your employees aren’t a liability when they encounter a fake email.
More importantly, if your business is hit by a security breach, Summit Advisors is just a phone call away to help you eliminate the threat and restore your systems back to normal.
Related reading: 6 Questions to ask before investing in a cybersecurity partner
Outdated technology
Many businesses fall into the trap of delaying major technology upgrades to save money, but this does more harm than good. Outdated technology is inefficient and prone to failure.
A five-year-old laptop that’s well past its warranty date, for instance, can overheat as its processor tries to keep up with the computing demands of the latest software. If hardware components break, purchasing spare parts and repair services add up to an exorbitant amount. Similarly, outdated applications lack streamlined features, and are fraught with security vulnerabilities that can lead to a devastating (and costly) data breach.
MSPs address these problems with proactive monitoring and maintenance, ensuring everything is running smoothly at all times. This involves promptly patching outdated software, optimizing system performance, and troubleshooting errors before they become catastrophic issues down the line.
Plus, leading MSPs have close ties with industry leaders like Microsoft and Lenovo so they can give you the best deals on cutting-edge hardware and software.
Poorly optimized networks
Another recurring IT problem that MSPs solve are slow and unstable internet connections. With thorough diagnostics and proactive network monitoring services, MSPs can identify the root cause of network issues. Examples of root causes include too many devices connected to the network, overloaded routers, or internet bandwidth-hogging applications.
Whatever the case may be, MSPs will proficiently resolve the heart of the problem, ensuring your networks are as fast as possible so you can work uninterrupted. Companies that rely on the cloud and internet-based phone systems will definitely need an MSP for this reason.
Disasters, data loss, and downtime
There many things that can go wrong with IT, whether it’s through accidental file deletion, software corruption, hardware malfunction, security breaches, or even natural disasters. When these issues occur, employee productivity comes to a screeching halt as everyone frantically tries to recover what was lost.
This downtime leads to lost revenue, not to mention heavy legal and reputational repercussions if sensitive data was mismanaged. In the most severe cases, businesses that fail to recover from these setbacks have a life span of only two years.
The best MSPs provide data backup services and disaster recovery plans to ensure your company’s longevity. The former involves routinely storing data in highly secure cloud servers that can be accessed using company-authorized accounts and devices.
Meanwhile, disaster recovery plans are a structured approach to restoring IT functionality, data, and operations after an incident. MSPs devise plans based on the likelihood of certain disasters and prioritize the recovery of mission-critical systems to keep your business running.
Cloud confusion
Cloud computing offers major benefits, including pay-as-you-go subscription models, reduced infrastructure and storage costs, and access to enterprise apps and data through the internet. It’s because of these benefits that make digital transformation and remote work a possibility for businesses. In fact, experts predict that the global cloud market will grow from $371 billion in 2020 to $832 billion by 2025.
However, to leverage the cloud, you have to migrate to and manage cloud solutions. These are very difficult challenges to overcome, especially for those with limited technical expertise. Businesses also run the risk of using too many cloud applications, which only makes things more confusing and inefficient.
That’s where MSPs come in. Thanks to their years of experience with cloud technology, they’re fit to guide you on choosing and deploying the right cloud service for your business. They can then configure cloud environments to suit your needs and integrate them with existing technologies and processes so you have a cohesive and efficient platform.
What’s more, MSPs make sure your cloud environment is protected from unauthorized access, cloud-based attacks, and data loss.
Lack of a robust IT strategy
In many companies, there’s often a disconnect between IT and business strategy. Leaders see the bigger picture but rarely know where technology fits in the puzzle, which is why it’s crucial to bring an MSP on board.
MSPs are technology partners who take the time to understand your business and then use their in-depth IT expertise to develop a strategy that aligns with your goals. If employee collaboration is an issue, for example, MSPs may recommend cloud solutions like Microsoft Teams or Asana.
Ultimately, what makes MSPs a necessity is that they can identify the root cause of your company’s IT headaches and provide a more robust solution to alleviate them.
If you don’t want IT problems getting in the way of running your business, then Summit Advisors is the answer. From cybersecurity issues and slow networks to disaster recovery and IT planning, we have the expertise and solutions to support your business. Call us today so your IT can run smoothly and efficiently at all times.
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