Since the beginning of commercial computing, businesses have faced a distinct set of technical challenges. And in today’s complex cyber landscape, the risks, challenges and solutions require increasingly more specialised expertise – that is often difficult to find and expensive to hire.

With a lack of in-house IT personnel to support their teams, small businesses are vulnerable to cyberattacks and losing money and productivity because of network and server issues that affect their operations.

This is where managed service providers come in. An outsourced IT department, the right MSP will help small businesses with their specific IT needs consistent with size, industry and unique requirements. 

And the MSP industry is on the rise. According to GlobalData, by 2025 Australian businesses are forecasted to spend approximately 8.4 per cent more on managed services – more than on hardware and software, which is predicted to grow 6.3 per cent. 

What is Managed Services?

Managed IT services or a managed service provider (MSP) is outsourced, ongoing support delivered by an IT service provider to large and small businesses for a fixed monthly fee. It involved remote, constant monitoring and maintenance along with managed IT support services that keep a business running at peak performance. 

Key services that MSPs offer include data and infrastructure management, communication services, network, IT security, backup and disaster recovery.

How does an MSP work?

An MSP works by taking on other organisations as clients. These small businesses don’t have their own IT staff and a managed service provider is the outsourced IT department for that enterprise. 

Imagine a small architecture firm. They need to archive large volumes of data. Aside from storing this important data, they also need to keep their computers in running order for their software, third-party applications and add-ons to work. They can hire an Australian MSP that will take care of backing up and protecting their data, providing day-to-day support, maintaining licensing requirements and managing frequently changing numbers of users. 

An MSP works best when you collaborate. As your dedicated IT department, you should keep in mind that MSP won’t fix your problems with no information or prevent every IT problem from happening again. Knowing what to expect from IT managed services providers is key to starting off successfully.  

Why do small businesses need MSP?

The primary reason small businesses need MSP is because they don’t have an IT department in-house. The reality is that SMEs usually rely on the office manager to take care of IT issues. But a simple issue such as the internet being down can quickly escalate, stalling business operations for hours. This happens because there’s no one in charge to take responsibility for the issue or have the time and knowledge to contact any necessary vendors and find a solution for the problem.

Besides that, managed security services will protect your business from cyberattacks and help you with a long-term cyber resilience strategy. Thinking your small business is not at risk is a sure way for hackers to take advantage of your lack of protection. Your company could be the victim of ransomware and malware. A 2019 report by IBM found that the average cost of a data breach for small businesses was over $2 million. 

How to choose a managed service provider for my small business

The ideal managed IT service provider should simplify your processes and help you get on with your business without worrying about IT. Your starting point in choosing the best MSP for your company is reviewing testimonials and calling the provider directly to assess their customer service, commitment and knowledge. 

Great managed services should include services such as cyber security, cloud services, remote monitoring, ongoing maintenance, ongoing IT strategy, solution design and implementation, asset management and budgeting, compliance, reporting and 24/7/365 Help Desk services. 

When choosing your IT managed service provider you should also consider the nature of your business. For example, if you’re in the Architectural, Engineering and Construction industry, you’ll probably also need hardware & software services and managed print solutions. And you’ll also want the MSP to know about your industry to provide better managed IT solutions. 

Lastly, choosing a local MSP provider is so much better than outsourcing your IT support overseas. When you choose managed IT solutions in Australia, you don’t have to deal with miscommunications or worry about who has access to your data.

Top benefits of managed service providers for small businesses

There are many benefits of using the services of an MSP Melbourne provider, but top on the list are:

• Cost. One of the biggest benefits of outsourcing your IT to an MSP is the savings you make. A fixed monthly plan that covers everything from maintenance to strategy and support is cheaper than hiring IT technicians in-house. Your business will also save money by preventing and reducing cyberattacks or data loss. 
• Fast response time. 24/7/365 Help Desk support is invaluable for any business, regardless of industry and size. An MSP team with experience and expertise will be able to promptly respond to your queries and find solutions for your problems. 
• Knowledge and support. From compliance to cyber security support for all your team members and being able to fix issues that range from software to hardware, an MSP will keep your business running and your employees productive. Plus, you won’t have to worry about dealing with various vendors – an MSP does that for you. 

Managed service providers are here to help you

Managed IT services have a lot of benefits for your small business, and you don’t want to be left behind when it comes to your security and data protection. 

If you’re looking for managed IT in Melbourne, MSP Blueshift is here for your small business. Get in touch today and we’ll have a look at your IT.