Do you know the top 8 reasons why you should consider a Managed Services Provider for your hybrid cloud environment?
Engaging a Managed Service Provider (MSP) offers several benefits that can significantly enhance a business’s operation, not least of which is to accommodate overstretched IT teams who are navigating lack of resources and often skill gaps. But how do you know when to take the leap and what to consider in your selection process for a managed services provider?
We have covered the eight benefits of engaging a Managed Service Provider (MSP) and the factors you need to consider before making your decision:
1. Expertise and Specialisation
MSPs bring specialised knowledge and expertise in managing complex IT environments. This expertise ensures optimal performance, security, and efficiency. With nearly 70% of all IT occupations in Australia in shortage, attracting and retaining in house skills, particularly niche & specialised skills, is proving challenging for many businesses. According to a CompTIA report, 96% of all companies that use MSPs say their IT operations have improved since adopting MSP services.
Consider, what skills do you need for FY25? Do you have inhouse capacity or do you need an extension to your team with an MSP? If so, what specialisation would add the most value to the business?
2. Cost Efficiency
As a cost comparison, what would it cost to leverage a managed service provider? When considering cost, it is not purely the infrastructure and required headcount & salaries, you need also to factor in scalable services that allow paying for only the usage you need, future proofing expertise, training and certification costs, tooling, as well as the typical costs of running a Data Centre. Research by IT Industry Outlook suggests businesses can reduce IT Costs by up to 40% by partnering with an MSP.
Create a ‘Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) to assess and compare the critical needs for your business. A significant 96% of all Australian businesses outsource a proportion of their IT management to an MSP.
3. Focus on Core Business
What are the overall business priorities for FY25 and how does IT support these priorities? We are big believers in the pareto principle of the 80/20 rule. What is the core 20% of efforts you need to focus on to achieve your business objectives and what are the 80% which you can delegate or outsource? If the day-to-day management of your environment is preventing the IT team working on core strategies, consider what bandwidth would be freed up by leveraging an MSP. A Deloitte survey found that 57% of businesses said MSPs helped them concentrate on their core functions and business strategy.
4. Proactive Monitoring and Maintenance
Do your team have capacity for proactive monitoring and maintenance? Most IT teams are so stretched that the basics like firmware upgrades and backups do not happen. It is reported that 75% of small businesses do not have a recovery plan in the case of a data breach, which often includes having an adequate back up of their critical business data. MSPs provide proactive monitoring and maintenance of your IT systems. This helps in identifying and resolving issues before they impact your business operations. Gartner reports that this proactive service model approach can minimise downtime by 85%.
5. Enhanced Security and Compliance
Implementing enhanced security and compliance in-house can be costly, especially considering the advanced technology and features required, the pace of change and the high salary demands. MSPs stay updated with the latest security threats and compliance regulations. They implement robust security measures and ensure your IT infrastructure complies with industry standards, protecting your business from cyber threats. According to Cyber Security Ventures, cybercrime is predicted to cost around $10.5 Trillion US dollars globally by 2025!
6. Access to Advanced Technologies
MSPs have access to the latest technologies and tools, which they can leverage to improve your IT environment. This access ensures that your business stays competitive and benefits from the latest advancements. IDC reports that 70% of successful digital transformations are conducted by companies that leverage MSPs for their IT needs.
7. Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity
MSPs offer comprehensive disaster recovery (DR) and business continuity plans. In the event of a disaster, they ensure that your data is protected, and your operations can continue with minimal disruption. A study by the Ponemon Institute found that companies using MSPs for DR could reduce their downtime by 50%.
8. Scalability and Flexibility
As your business grows, your IT needs will change. MSPs offer scalable solutions that can adapt to your evolving requirements, providing the flexibility needed to support your business growth. According to a Spiceworks report, 62% of businesses find scalability as a primary benefit of using MSP services.
Why Meridian IT Managed Services?
With more than 40 years’ experience in the IT Services industry, our success has been underpinned by highly certified & passionate engineers who deliver industry leaving consultancy and managed services.
When you work with Meridian IT, you work with real people who build and maintain your on-premise, cloud and Hybrid-Cloud solutions. Our relationships are based on trust and no matter how big or small your technology needs, Meridian IT experts are here to help. Our engineers maintain up-to-date certifications on relevant skills to empower them to help your business succeed. Think streamlined solutions and smart, secure technical support. Collaboration is the key, and we will evolve our technology services as your business needs change. With a National Network and a Global Footprint, you also benefit from access to leading technology partners like IBM, HPE, DELL Technologies, NetApp, Red Hat, Microsoft and more than 160 OEM partners and hundreds of service professionals across the globe.
Fully flexible, commercially minded, Meridian IT offers the most efficient, economical, and effective solutions to help your business scale and grow. Plus, Meridian flex their solutions so they are fit for purpose and aligned with best practices – because today’s technology isn’t always right for tomorrow.
Proactive. Predictable. Best practice.
When you choose Meridian IT to take care of your critical on-premise, cloud or hybrid cloud infrastructure, you benefit from cost-effective, industry-leading service, and end-to-end tech support. From simple solutions to high-end strategies. Tailored, for your organisation.
You can 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. Learn more about our extensive managed services and solutions at meridianit.com.au or contact us now to arrange a meeting with one of our local experts to discuss your needs: https://meridianit.com.au/contact-us/