At times, running a business can feel like you're lost at sea in a boat that's slowly taking on water as sharks circle. As you frantically worry about what issue to focus on first, you can end up spreading yourself too thin; it's easy to become counterproductive.
But, it doesn't have to be this way.
Now, more than ever, more and more businesses are starting to turn towards MSPs (Managed Service Providers) for help. And for a good reason, too. So, if you find yourself asking, 'do I need an MSP?' or 'how do I know which MSP to partner with?', read on, and we'll explore the topic further.
For many businesses, you may just be thankful to have just got through 2020/21 relatively unscathed - we've all gone through a tumultuous few years that haven't had many highs but a seemingly endless list of lows.
So, as the 2022 version of normality is underway, you may want to focus on what matters most to you. If you're in the hospitality sector, that may just be getting people through the door and bums on seats. Do you work in retail? Maybe you're trying to focus on how you can capitalise on the latest trend, such as cashierless checkouts or experiential retailing.
The things you don't want to spend time on may include cyber security planning, patching devices or building a team of IT experts who have to wear many metaphorical hats to ensure your network is in the best possible condition. So turn to an MSP.
An MSP such as Fifosys can exist as an extension of your in-house IT team or become a standalone department, offering a flexible solution built to your specific needs. Tasks such as round the clock user support, cyber security, data protection or strategic planning can fall under the remit of an MSP.
Some MSPs work as your IT partner and - in our case - aim to deliver a close working relationship to help your business succeed. For a full list of other ways MSPs can help, why not visit our list of services?
An MSP doesn't have to be brought on board as a partner to run your IT department independently. In some cases, they can co-exist with an internal team to provide coverage in the areas you need it most.
There is no one trigger for what pushes an organisation to make the call to an MSP, but it could be any one of the following:
The IT world is so complex, and in SME organisations, the budget allocated for tech teams often means some gaps naturally form. By no means is this a slight on the people working tirelessly in these roles. It's just that the subject matter is so vast that no individual - or small collection of individuals - can possibly know it all and have had exposure to it all.
In many cases, individuals may have questions about the work they've done - or want an external party to grade it. Are you unsure of how well your cyber defences work? An MSP could help with running a security audit, run a penetration test or offer SEAT sessions.
But it doesn't have to be something so complex and business-critical. Smaller tasks may be where you need help, such as rolling out a cloud calling solution for branches of your restaurant nationwide.
Perhaps you're moving into a new office now that we look to move past COVID restrictions and need help with ensuring things such as your internet lines are up to scratch.
Or, maybe you're looking to roll out cyber security training sessions for your staff who continue to work remotely? An MSP can be the glue that holds your organisation together from a tech standpoint, joining up the dots to create a picture of success.
So, what would working with an MSP mean for your business? As we always strive to continue our growth, we have surveyed our customers over the last two decades.
Here, we have listed the most common benefits of working with an MSP:
Many of our partners report seeing productivity benefits after onboarding with Fifosys, whilst others are glad to not have to concern themselves with the day to day requirements associated with the industry.
With monthly meetings and the option to take them on in a virtual CIO capacity, MSPs can exist as an arm of your business and swallow the burden that sometimes comes with technology. By doing so, not only do you get access to the benefits listed above, but you also get a business partner who can help take you to the next level.
In a world where technology and our everyday lives become more and more intertwined, mistakes or vulnerabilities can be incredibly costly. And, especially relevant as today is Valentine's Day, you need a partner you can love.
No two MSPs are the same, despite many offering similar - or even identical - services. But, with over two decades of experience under our belt, frequent awards, and thousands of people across the globe relying on us to perform for them to work, you don't have to be left wondering if we can deliver a game as good as we talk. Our proof is very much in the pudding.
Give us a call today to set up a free introduction. Who knows, it could be the start of something special?
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