It used to be enough to own a computer connected to the internet to run your business successfully in the 21st century. Today, a simple PC or laptop is not enough–especially if you’re in the business of storing customers’ sensitive data, such as legal or financial records. Off-the-shelf antivirus software isn’t quite strong enough against sophisticated hacking and ransomware attacks taking place on a daily basis. 

This is why IT services are necessary. For many small and medium-sized businesses, IT services typically involve hiring a one- or two-person team to oversee the infrastructure, whether that includes servers, remote access, or just keeping office computers running smoothly. 

As they say, however, good help is hard to find, especially since the Covid pandemic turned the labor market on its head. IT professionals are paid well, and consequently, there are always recruiters calling around trying to poach IT professionals with the promise of higher pay and better benefits. 

The market has become so tight that many businesses struggle to retain qualified IT staff. This constant turnover is both expensive and frustrating–which is where managed IT services come to the rescue. 

What Are Managed IT Services?

Whether it’s an  IT company in Houston or elsewhere, managed IT service teams provide services to multiple clients at the same time, taking care of each business's IT needs as they arise. Managed IT service companies work on a subscription model, allowing businesses to pay a monthly fee to retain the services of the IT company. 

Having a team of professionals means that managed IT service companies can provide 24/7 support across a wide array of technological services–services that a small in-house IT team simply could not handle. IT service firms are also able to offer unparalleled support because each member of the team is an expert in their field. 

How Can Managed IT Services Help My Business?

Having specialized professionals isn’t the only benefit that managed IT services offer their clients. Other benefits include:

Predictable Costs

When you choose to use managed IT services, your monthly IT bill is a predictable expense. Furthermore, when using remote access and cloud services, you won’t have to pay for expensive servers or be the one to cover their repair costs. Managed IT service firms handle all of these expenses as part of the package they offer their customers. 

Unrivaled Support

One of the benefits of hiring a team of experts is that their up-to-date standards, security, and training simply cannot be achieved by a single IT professional. Because each member of the team is specialized, they can stay abreast of all the latest developments in their field. 

No matter how well-rounded a single IT professional is, they may not have the time or mental bandwidth to keep up with everything a company needs. This jack-of-all-trades approach often leaves something to be desired when real money is on the line and your customers’ data is at risk. This is especially true when dealing with IT for financial services. 

Scalability 

Scaling up from a small or medium-sized business can be extremely expensive, but with managed IT services, the process can be seamless. This is because managed IT firms are frequently servicing clients far larger than your business, so they can easily scale their services to meet your needs at a moment's notice. 

Software Efficiencies 

While you may have a software suite that works for you, the odds are that there is something better out there. Managed IT service professionals have seen every type of corporate software available, from basic Customer Resource Management (CRM) software to advanced IT security software. 

This depth of knowledge allows managed IT services firms to suggest new and better technology that can unlock hidden potential in your business and help it to reach new heights. 

Putting the Pieces in Place

As you can see, there are a host of benefits to working with a managed IT service provider. All businesses can flourish due to the depth of knowledge that IT service firms offer. Regardless of whether you need IT services for law firms, shipping, and receiving, or simple clerical work, there are many efficiencies that can be realized when you partner with a reliable managed IT services firm.