Over the past two years, companies have been refiguring their approach to managing their technology assets. The COVID-19 pandemic sent almost every industrial sector, particularly those dealing with the supply chain, scrambling to adapt to the unexpected surge in remote officing requirements.
The response to the global health crisis was unprecedented, to be sure, but there’s little doubt it highlighted the lack of agility on the part of many organizations across the globe. Before the pandemic, businesses were already downsizing their IT departments. When their demand for IT services accelerated during the pandemic, it corresponded with the so-called “great resignation.” The already short supply of skilled IT professionals and drastically contracted and seemingly out of nowhere.
The new economic circumstances brought about by the pandemic response along with the subsequent labor shortage emphasized the need for companies to reassess their overall IT strategies. Many business leaders have realized that the best way to augment their in-house technology departments is to improve agility and adaptability through a partnership with managed service provider (MSP). In turn, MSP and co-managed IT engagement has risen exponentially since early 2020, the onset of the global pandemic.
A partnership with a trusted managed IT service provider or a managed security service provider (MSSP) lets companies access cutting-edge technologies, business intelligence tools, and specialized technical talent at a fixed, low monthly fee. MSPs manage hybrid telecommuting/office-based work environments with their ability to deliver IT services remotely to end-users in any geographic location, at any time of the day.
So, how can MSPs and MSSP services bolster your existing IT workforce? Here are a few common ways that small to medium-sized businesses leverage managed IT services:
1. Reduced IT workload
Fast-growing small businesses can quickly discover that their in-house IT team simply has too much on its plate. This is especially true if the department is run by a small handful of people. In such a case, co-managed solutions can help ease your overall IT workload by taking up non-revenue generating activities like network monitoring and security, help desk services, and system maintenance.
General IT management tasks are resource-intensive. Electronic hardware repairs, software patching, and help desk support are just a few items on a long list of time-consuming duties that bog down your internal IT team, drawing their focus away from profit-driving activities. When the work starts piling up, business owners seek out co-managed solutions to get their IT departments back under control.
Relaxing the responsibilities of a work-stressed IT department boosts morale, which increases productivity and yields a better team performance overall. Giving your direct hires a more manageable workload ensures that spirits remain high and your critical projects are delivered on time.
2. Eliminated skill gaps
MSP and MSSP services allow organizations to customize their IT services through co-managed solutions. If your IT team excels in one area but struggles in another, you can outsource specific areas of your IT to your managed service partner. Pairing your internal staff with outsourced IT professionals is the most effective approach for optimizing workplace efficiency. Likewise, a reliable co-managed MSP solution lets you access state-of-the-art technology resources in addition to skilled and specialized staff.
The co-managed business model doesn’t replace your existing IT services as a fully managed service would. If you’re battling a known skills gap, the managed service will send in an individual or team of specialists qualified to address the issue. The MSP still works closely with your department and can provide employee training to get your direct hires up to speed. Unlike traditional outsourcer models and IT consultancies, co-managed services subscription-based services are delivered under a long-term agreement. The service contract is always customized to specific business needs.
3. Continuous round-the-clock IT coverage
Most businesses, regardless of their size, depend on their IT infrastructure operating 24 hours a day. Ensuring that your systems remain functional and healthy at all times is paramount. When you rely upon a small in-house IT team to deliver services, guaranteeing round-the-clock vigilance is next to impossible. Not only is challenging to convince your 9-to-5 employees to remain on-call, but it’s also expensive. If someone calls off for the day and you need them for coverage, you’re flat out of luck.
This problem is easily resolved through a co-managed IT partnership. A reputable MSP provides coverage outside of normal business hours and can fill in for absent staff members. There’s no need to create graveyard shifts, and your employees won’t feel pressured into not using their hard-earned time off. Co-managed IT services are more than just a value-add proposition. MSPs are increasingly becoming the norm for conducting regular business.
PCH Technologies, the best MSSP for small business
If you’re in the process of expanding your footprint and your in-house IT department is feeling the growing pains, consider partnering with PCH Technologies to help relieve the unnecessary pressure. Learn more about our industry-leading managed IT and information security services by calling us now at (856) 754-7500.