How to cut costs without losing control ?
With razorblue group commercial director Mark Wilkinson …
A common debate when it comes to business IT support is whether to employ an in-house team or outsource , using a Managed Service Provider ( MSP ).
Many don ’ t realise that it doesn ’ t have to be one or the other .
You can cut costs without losing control . You can opt for a partner , rather than a provider .
However , we can ’ t talk about outsourcing without first addressing the importance of trust .
IT is the backbone of every business , so it ’ s hardly surprising that companies are reluctant to relinquish control .
Both parties must share operational and commercial information at a very detailed level .
To achieve success , companies must be willing to share forward plans and detailed roadmaps . This is not something that comes naturally , especially if trust has been damaged in a previous partnership .
Equally , it is vital that from the start and throughout the relationship MSPs are transparent and upfront with costs and expectations .
For many businesses , outsourcing their IT support may be the most cost-effective option as the cost of employing a dedicated in-house individual or team is too high .
But for growing or larger organisations , the solution may be less obvious .
Often , larger organisations with established IT departments tend to lose focus on the bigger picture .
The IT strategy and longer-term digitisation projects can be overlooked , as internal resources become overwhelmed by the daily grind of maintenance and resolving technical issues .
A hybrid approach can alleviate these pain points , without forfeiting control .
Top 5 benefits 1 . Stay focused on the future Outsourcing for end-user IT support drastically helps your team stay focused on what ’ s important , driving your business forward .
2 . Reduced risks MSPs provide 24 / 7 industryleading security practises to your organisation . Working with hundreds of companies , across all sectors , they have insight into the wider security landscape .
3 . Take advantage of the latest technology Placed at the forefront of the technology industry , MSPs can guide your strategic direction , making sure you don ’ t waste money .
4 . Decrease costly downtime Even brief outages can impact revenue streams and profits , impairing customer journeys and / or affecting productivity . MSPs monitor your network and infrastructure 24 / 7 , much more effectively than you could yourself .
5 . You ’ re always covered Reliable MSPs work around the clock and you are covered when your IT manager or team are out of office .
Top 5 considerations The market is saturated with MSPs , so choosing the right one can be tricky and it ’ s important to know what to look for .
1 . Reputation and retention Look for MSPs that can give real-life examples and success stories and are willing to give client references . Be sure to ask about their client retention levels too .
2 . Technical capabilities Don ’ t be afraid to ask questions on exactly how staff are trained and developed . MSPs should be able to give evidence of their technical capabilities .
3 . Experience and innovation It ’ s service providers who can demonstrate a good balance of experience and innovation who are going to be best equipped to support you and your business .
4 . SLA and NPS These metrics are used within the industry for a reason . Statistics includes the number of cases where contractual SLA commitments were met , as well as the feedback scores given by clients following the closure of a project or case .
5 . Accreditations Just as you wouldn ’ t hand over the keys to your car to someone without a driving licence , you should not hand over your IT to unaccredited MSPs . Look for Microsoft Gold Partners , ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus .
Whether you ’ re looking for a full outsource solution , or a partnership to bolster your existing IT team – razorblue have a solution to fit that is guaranteed to save you time and money .
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