How Do Managed IT Services Keep Your Business Up To Date?
Running a business brings immense responsibility — and that can be overwhelming. Your team might look to you for leadership daily. Your clients may constantly bombard you with queries and complaints. And you could get lost in mountains of paperwork (even when it’s digital) before you realize it’s piling up.
But one of the most difficult aspects of running a successful company is staying up to date with advancing technology. You could be at a major disadvantage if you rely on outdated systems and software: you may fall behind your competitors, and clients might notice that your capabilities seem outdated and look elsewhere for a more up-to-date option.
However, you simply might not have the time to research what your more tech-savvy competitors are doing or implement the latest solutions into your operations. And that’s where managed service providers offer a lifeline.
How?
In this post, we’ll look at five ways managed IT services can keep your business up to date.
Take Advantage of the Latest and Greatest Equipment
Outdated technology can cause various issues, including:
- Security vulnerabilities
- Reduced productivity
- Downtime that costs you time and money
- Extra expense through frequent repairs and maintenance
You may not like the prospect of updating your hardware, especially if you’re working to a strict budget with every dollar already accounted for. But you could be making things harder on yourself and your team if you stick with outdated information technology. Unfortunately, researching, buying, and setting up brand new systems is a time-consuming process. And you might be too busy for that right now — and for the foreseeable future.
Fortunately, switching to up-to-date systems is easier than ever with managed IT services. Your MSP will recommend the ideal hardware based on their research into your operations and current setup. With your permission, they’ll update aging hardware and improve your infrastructure significantly.
As a result, your employees will have access to up-to-date computers with new features and smoother performance. That will improve their productivity and help them streamline tasks.
Receive Guidance and Advice on the Best New Software for Your Business Operations
Just as the right hardware is paramount for driving your business to further success, the right software matters too.
Outdated software can cause functionality problems that disrupt your operations. Your employees may lack the latest features that other businesses use regularly. For instance, they might be unable to leverage high-quality collaboration tools that allow them to work alongside colleagues on the other side of the world.
Another issue is a lack of support. Outdated software often receives no support, so bugs and performance weaknesses will remain unless they’re fixed by other users (which isn’t guaranteed).
If your team is failing to fulfil its potential because of outdated software, a managed IT services provider will fix that for you. A good MSP will assess your current software, identify improvement opportunities, and advise you on alternatives.
Safeguard Your Business with Up-To-Date Security Patches
The worldwide managed services market was worth $152 billion in 2020, and experts expect that to increase to around $274 billion by 2026. And the need for better security is just one of the factors driving this growth.
No business can afford to undervalue the importance of effective security. Research shows that data breaches in Canada incurred an average cost of $6.75 million per incident. That’s significantly higher than the global average ($5.34 million) in 2021.
Failing to implement the best cybersecurity measures available could lead to severe expenses. It could also harm your reputation and make clients doubt your business’s credibility.
That’s why it’s essential to install the latest patches for all software as soon as possible. Patches usually offer various benefits, from improving performance to adding features. But they also often include security updates to help reduce your risk of falling prey to breaches.
With an MSP monitoring your network and systems, you can rest assured that the latest security patches will be installed quickly. This will help protect your network from ransomware, spyware, and other security hazards that threaten businesses.
Backup and Access Data Anytime Without Relying on Traditional Solutions
MSPs offer cloud computing services to help companies with the most up-to-date online solutions on the market. Cloud computing could revolutionize your business operations if you rely on traditional on-premises storage only.
Managed IT services providers can set your team up with cutting-edge cloud storage software that empowers them with the flexibility to work anywhere. They won’t have to come into the office to perform tasks anymore, and you can stay connected to your key files wherever you are through multiple devices.
This means your team can be more productive and flexible than they could ever be with outdated technology. MSPs can help you backup data continually to decrease your risk of data loss, and introduce you to new cloud-based software that could benefit your business.
Stay Updated with the Latest Compliance Requirements
If your business fails to comply with the latest industry regulations, you face a hefty fine. Costs vary depending on the regulating body and other crucial factors, but any unexpected charge would eat into your finances. It may also harm your reputation, particularly if you’re still establishing yourself.
One of the most important aspects of compliance is staying up to date with new security regulations. Your company will be expected to follow specific rules to protect your users’ and clients’ data. The same applies to privacy policies, cookie management, and more.
Work with a managed IT services provider to keep up to date with regulations. That’s particularly important when overhauling your IT infrastructure and incorporating new solutions into your operations.
How to Start Working with the Best Local MSP
If you’re worried about staying up to date with technology, regulations, security, and other essential aspects of running your business, GenX is here to help.
We offer an extensive range of managed IT services tailored to your unique requirements and budget. Get in touch with our experts today to get started!