For many small and medium sized business, IT feels like an ongoing headache that only has brief lulls of calm before starting back up again.

Something breaks. You call someone or take it somewhere. It gets fixed. Then the next problem pops up.

Let’s be honest: IT problems drain motivation, productivity, and budgets. When something works, even if it’s with “duct tape and a prayer,” we don’t even want to breathe on it too hard for fear of it malfunctioning. But that’s not a healthy approach to technology, is it?

Instead of taking a reactive approach to IT that drain your business, a Managed Service Provider (MSP) that offers full IT services flips that script. An MSP turns your small or medium-sized business’ technology from a debilitating cost into a strategic advantage.

Predictable Costs & Budget Control

Most business owners believe that the most predictable cost (and the one that looks best on paper) is no cost, the idea that if it’s working now, then there’s absolutely no reason to spend money because it’s working… right now.

If your business has ever suffered a cyberattack or a critical device going down, then you’ve probably experienced unexpected and unpredictable bills. Hours or repair, data recovery, labor, and all sorts of monetary costs, but also the cost of lost productivity, sales, and energy. While it feels good to have a low (or no) IT costs without an MSP, the costs are above and beyond that of reliable MSP services when the costs do come.

Managed IT Services from an MSP, however, offer small and medium-sized businesses a consistent flat monthly rate. By partnering with an MSP, your business gets access to a team of technology professionals who offer a wide variety of services within that rate, such as cybersecurity, help desk, repairs, installs, and more.

Repair costs, while they still might occur, can be planned for in advance with an MSP because, as your tech team, their job is to map out and work with business leadership to determine what technology is reaching the end of its lifespan along with what technological advances are upcoming that could be implemented to catapult your business forward.

Each MSP is different, catering to unique businesses, industries, and geographical regions. Contacting multiple MSPs in your area or industry will give you the best idea of what services you can expect. On top of that, as your business grows, MSPs offer scalable solutions and services that allow your business to grow and adapt with pricing that is clear, concise, and scales well.

Stronger Security & Compliance

Threats are evolving every day, and small and medium sized businesses are still prime targets. Attackers presume, often correctly, that these businesses have not invested in any form of cybersecurity outside of simple anti-viruses like Windows Defender or McAfee. No firewall. No detection. Nothing more than “set and forget.”

The worst-case scenario of this strategy will leave your business open to cyberattacks, and most small businesses shut down within 6-months of a successful cyberattacks. The reasons: mounting bills & recovery costs, legal costs, stolen financials, lost consumer trust, and denied insurance payouts from compliance failure.

We’ve talked with business owners who have opted for cheaper solutions of “break/fix IT” without ongoing cybersecurity who suffered cybersecurity attacks. Not only did these businesses spend tens of thousands of dollars in responding to the attack, but then these business owners faced increased insurance premiums and far stricter guidelines, including some that forced these businesses to spend thousands more for ongoing cybersecurity support from third-party vendors.

The crazy part is that even though these businesses “saved” money on paper for the weeks, months, and years before a cyberattack, the costs paid to recover from those attacks far outweighed any savings. Not only so, but no monetary costs can be associated with lost trust in your clients base.

MSPs offer a variety of services and protocols that not only help protect your business, but also keep you compliant with local, state, and federal regulations. Depending on software and hardware necessary for your business, an MSP can help your business choose the best solutions to fit your needs. Additionally, MSPs manage these tools for you, taking stress off your plate.

More Focus on What Matters

Unmanaged IT environments often lead to more headache and fire drills. Slow computers, outdated drivers, constant crashes or computer freezes. When these IT issues stack up and take the focus and energy of staff and owners, important tasks focused on growth and customer service fall by the wayside.

When you IT stops being a daily fire drill, business owners and staff can finally focus on growth, customer services, and innovation within the business and industry. The way MSPs do that is by taking the brunt of technical details and duties — from help desk tickets to updates and beyond — which frees up hours of work every day. Instead of multiple people within your organization attempting to fix one computer issue that is bogging down one employee, businesses have access to IT professionals who can quickly and efficiently work with the affected individual to get them back online while the rest of the office can continue working.

On top of this day-to-day help, MSPs help your business align for the future of technology right now. An MSP’s job is in all things information and technology, which means that they are already looking for ways in which technological innovations in hardware, software, firmware, AI-tools, and more can give businesses they work with a huge boost in productivity and growth.

Get Technology That Works For You

Managed IT Services through an MSP is more than just an outsourced support line or a fix-it-only solution. MSPs provide business-to-business partnerships that help businesses grow through holistic support and strategy. By preventing problems, securing systems, and simplifying budgets, businesses that partner with MSPs have a technological advantage, not a distraction.

At Marvel IT Services, we’re dedicated to helping local businesses in Pennsylvania and New Jersey save time, money, and frustration through proactive and personalized IT support and management. If your business is ready to take the next steps in your technological journey, drop us a line through our Contact Us page to take advantage of a free IT-consultation!