In the relentless rhythm of today’s business world, a mantra from yesterday still resonates in 2023: streamlining operations is vital for staying ahead of the curve. Technology is at the heart of this efficiency drive, instrumental in propelling productivity in our fast-paced commercial environment. Yet, managing an IT infrastructure can prove formidable for many businesses, sometimes leaving them grappling with yesterday’s crises instead of leveraging tomorrow’s strategic openings. Here is where the respite offered by managed IT services comes into play.
Managed IT services help businesses optimise their technology infrastructure, streamline operations, and boost productivity. Recent data from Deloitte reveals that 53% of Australian companies intend to expand their reliance on external service providers for IT needs. This trend is spurred by the increasing need to keep pace with the swiftly changing technology landscape and the escalating complexity of IT systems. Many organisations are finding it daunting to sufficiently resource and manage these systems on a daily basis.
By pulling a managed service foundation via a trusted partner into the fold of your organisation (hello, Meridian IT), businesses can access a wide range of expertise and services that can help streamline operations…. And move them back from the ‘reactive’ to the strategic again.
Don’t just take our word for it; let’s walk through some fundamental ways a managed services approach can add value to your organisation’s IT Infrastructure and bottom line.
Let us walk you through the fundamental ways a managed services approach can bolster your organisation’s IT infrastructure and bottom line. Here’s where to start:
Improved IT Efficiencies ‘doing more with less.’
First and foremost, businesses are turning to managed infrastructure services as a way of addressing skill shortages. With the increasing complexity of IT systems, it’s becoming more challenging for organisations to find and retain IT professionals with the necessary expertise. By partnering with a managed service provider like Meridian IT, businesses can tap into a team of skilled professionals with specialised knowledge and experience in managing IT infrastructure, allowing organisations to focus their critical internal talent on their bespoke client-facing applications while relying on companies like Meridian IT to provide a Service Level Agreement (SLA) based infrastructure service.
Furthermore, the managed services approach allows businesses to optimise and allocate their internal resources strategically. Outsourcing IT management to a trusted provider will enable organisations to free up their internal resources and focus on their core competencies. Instead of spending time and effort on IT-related tasks, employees can concentrate on strategic initiatives, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Leading to increased productivity improved employee morale, and, ultimately, better business outcomes.
Action: The first step in optimising your technology infrastructure is to assess your current setup. This includes evaluating your hardware and software systems, identifying potential vulnerabilities, and determining which systems are essential for your business operations.
Once you have a clear picture of your current infrastructure, you can develop a plan to optimise it. Meridian’s managed Infrastructure service can help you with this process, providing expert guidance and support every step of the way.
Cutting Costs Without Cutting Corners
One of the biggest benefits of outsourcing IT infrastructure speaks to one of the biggest challenges most organisations are battling; cost savings. Outsourcing IT infrastructure offers a robust solution to one of the most prominent challenges many organisations face: cost optimisation. A managed service agreement introduces a predictable monthly fee structure, easing IT cost management while simultaneously reducing staffing expenses, bolstering efficiency, enhancing security, and granting access to specialised expertise.
Managed IT services provide an affordable alternative to managing in-house IT infrastructure, often with substantial costs associated with hardware, software licenses, maintenance, and personnel salaries. This predictable monthly or annual fee for comprehensive IT support enables more effective budgeting and resource allocation towards other key business operations.
In fact, a CompTIA study revealed that 46% of Australian businesses identified cost savings as the main advantage of outsourcing their IT needs through managed services. This approach safeguards against unpredictable IT expenses, with fixed monthly IT support and services fees. Moreover, it facilitates the optimisation of technology infrastructure by identifying and replacing outdated or redundant hardware and software, leading to further cost reductions associated with IT equipment and licenses.
Action Steps: Businesses should first define their IT needs and identify specific services required. This will inform a plan and service offering tailored to the business’s needs and budget, whether on a per-user, per-device, or per-service basis. Meridian IT further advises conducting a cost-benefit analysis to quantify the potential cost savings from outsourcing IT infrastructure.
Increased Productivity – ‘Get More Done in Less Time”
Increasing productivity is still high on most management teams’ priority list (when is it not!) When it comes to managing your IT Infrastructure, leveraging a managed service provider to ensure that your technology infrastructure is working efficiently and effectively will assist in reducing downtime and providing proactive support when you need it, allowing you to get more done in less time.
In addition, MSPs can provide businesses with access to the latest technology tools and software, which can help improve productivity across the organisation. For example, cloud-based collaboration tools can help teams work together more effectively, while automation tools can help streamline business processes.
Here at Meridian IIT, we provide 24/7 proactive monitoring and support, which minimises downtime and ensures your IT infrastructure is always running at optimal performance. Our team of experts can help you assess your technology needs and identify areas where new solutions or tools can improve productivity and streamline business processes.
Compliance and Data Security – the dynamic duo in protection
As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, businesses must prioritise cybersecurity, compliance processes and data protection. A data breach can have severe consequences for businesses, including financial losses and reputational damage. A managed infrastructure services agreement can help companies to implement robust security measures, including firewalls, antivirus software, and regular security updates, to protect against cyber threats.
Meridian IT’s managed infrastructure services include cybersecurity and data protection. We can help you assess your current security posture, identify potential vulnerabilities, and implement solutions to mitigate these risks. With our expertise, you can rest assured that your business and data stay protected.
Action: We recommend regularly reviewing and updating your compliance policies and procedures, conducting regular employee training on data protection and compliance, and conducting regular compliance audits to ensure adherence to regulations. Meridian IT can help provide guidance and support when simplifying compliance and data security actions.
To wrap up, the transformative power of managed infrastructure services in refining business operations is invaluable and cost-effective. Amid the evolving landscape of 2023, businesses are increasingly engaging managed infrastructure services to address talent gaps and harness their internal teams for customer-centric tasks. Collaborating with a reliable managed service provider, like Meridian IT, unlocks benefits like SLA-based infrastructure services, optimised resource management, and cost-effectiveness. This partnership empowers businesses to streamline processes, elevate productivity, and centre their efforts on core competencies, all while ensuring a well-managed IT infrastructure.
View Meridian IT as your agile co-pilot for comprehensive infrastructure managed services, helping your IT team reach new heights. Ready to elevate your IT infrastructure? Contact our expert team today to start transforming your critical infrastructure.
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