Having a managed services provider (MSP) is becoming more and more popular, especially among small and medium-sized businesses. Some business owners are hesitant to leave behind in-house IT and other familiar options. Their concerns about managed services are valid, but not always grounded in fact.
Here are some common concerns about managed IT services and why you shouldn’t actually be worried.
1. There Are No On-Site Engineers
Having in-house IT services means an IT engineer is on site from open to close to address any issues. However, MSPs are an outsourced IT option and will not show up in person very often because they can handle many IT issues remotely. You might be asking yourself, “Will I ever see my IT engineer in person?”
Besides providing remote solutions, many MSPs offer on-site time to address specific needs in person. They will include a certain number of on-site hours in your service level agreement (SLA) to cover any issues that require their physical presence.
You should also consider that an in-house IT engineer may take a vacation or get tied up and be unable to respond to immediate needs, but an MSP offers remote service 24/7 from an entire team. Even if your designated engineer has the day off, your business still has essential IT support.
2. MSPs Provide Contractors, Not Employees
Like many business owners, you want to build a relationship with every member of your team. How can you do this if your IT person doesn’t work in your building?
While an MSP won’t be around to chat during lunch breaks, a reputable MSP will assign a designated engineer or two that you can build a relationship with and get to know as time progresses. You won’t be dealing with a bot or randomly selected technician. This personalized experience gives you a relationship similar to the one you might have with an in-house IT engineer.
3. MSPs Can’t Provide Hands-On Assistance Continuously
Some industries, like healthcare or manufacturing, operate 24-hours a day, seven days a week; and all businesses are at risk for IT issues that occur outside of traditional business hours. You might worry that because you are not your MSP’s only client, your network won’t get the constant attention it needs.
Most MSPs keep a technician on call after hours because they know threats to your network can show up at any time, day or night. This, combined with automated monitoring, ensures support when you need it most.
4. Managed IT Services Are Hindered by Aging Infrastructure
If your tech is from the dark ages, an MSP will conclude that outdated, inadequate solutions are the culprits of your IT problems. An MSP won’t be able to work with or support old hardware or software. This is true! However, it’s not in your best interest to keep pouring time and money into inefficient IT.
Your MSP will address the root cause by updating your technology. They’ll perform a network assessment, determine what is best for your unique needs, and create a personalized strategy to ensure efficient IT solutions moving forward.
5. Many MSPs Focus on Size-Based Range of Clients
All MSPs are not considered equal. Some of these tech professionals work with small to medium-sized businesses, while other MSPs work with larger corporations. While this is true, the size of your business won’t necessarily disqualify you from receiving essential IT support and services.
In talking with potential MSPs, make it clear how much support you will need and ask the tough questions to determine if they can meet your needs.
Stellar IT with AxiaTP
At AxiaTP, we work hard to provide excellent IT services for businesses of all sizes. We know you might be hesitant to try out something new when it comes to your business’s IT! Contact us to learn more about what we offer—we’re happy to respond to any more concerns about managed services.
