As businesses become more dependent on technology, having a reliable I.T. infrastructure has become necessary. Many businesses prefer relying on a single, expert resource to look after their I.T. needs which often does more harm than good.
With the job market being so diverse, finding a single I.T. expert is like searching for a needle in a haystack. Apart from the quality hires being a rare thing, these I.T. gurus don’t come cheap. According to Glassdoor, the average cost of hiring an I.T. expert runs about $75,000. In addition to these hefty overhead costs, you’ll have to pay up to $10,000 for benefits.
As an SMB looking to grow, paying this amount can significantly strain your cash flow. An alternative approach to managing your I.T. infrastructure is partnering up with an I.T. Service Provider.
But what is an I.T. service provider and how does their cross-functional approach benefit your business? Read on, as we discover why having a cross-functional I.T. team is better than a single expert!
What Is an I.T. Service Provider?
I.T. service providers, otherwise known as managed service providers (MSPs) are organizations that look after the I.T. needs of your business. Dedicated to mitigating downtime, these organizations consist of multiple experts that offer multiple benefits for your business.
These organizations proactively monitor your I.T. infrastructure for any vulnerabilities and fix issues before they escalate. The proactive monitoring of your systems saves you from expensive repairs and hiring technicians on an hourly basis.
Managed service providers follow various pricing models and packages to meet your business needs. Out of all kinds of pricing models, MSPs operating on a flat-fee model like I.T. For Less are the most cost-efficient option. Such MSPs charge you a fixed amount in return for managing your I.T. infrastructure, making your tech expenses predictable.
Benefits of Cross-Functional I.T. Teams
Innovative Solutions
When you mix experts from different backgrounds, experiences, and areas of expertise, you’re bound to get innovative solutions. Cross-functional managed service providers are a powerhouse of a strong I.T. strategy.
Partnering with an MSP gives you access to various experts, including tech support specialists, network support, and security experts. These experts utilize their strengths to fortify your networks against vulnerabilities and unexpected downtime.
An I.T. service provider also conducts routine maintenance to diagnose any hardware issue or outdated software. Proactively monitoring for such issues ensures such issues don’t disrupt workflow during your working hours.
Gain Access To Expert Insights
Experienced cross-functional MSPs like I.T. For Less are powered by experts to help foster positive change in your operations. Their experience and skills allow them to detect problems and mitigate them prematurely.
Apart from diagnosing and preventing issues, these experts help you adapt the best practices for your I.T. infrastructure. Adapting these I.T. best practices protects you from downtime factors like cyber-attacks, human errors, and hardware failure.
Communication Skills
For any business partnership to be fruitful, it’s crucial to communicate clearly. Botched communication is one of the main reasons why most MSPs fail to perform as expected.
I.T. service providers like I.T. For Less focus on partnering with you. They connect with you to analyze and understand your business needs. Leveraging effective communication allows them to have a clear picture of your business needs which allows them to offer tailored services.
They further streamline their efforts by discussing constructive feedback, allowing them to deliver results per your expectations.
Access To New Tools
Businesses today are heavily dependent on using productivity tools and a suite of applications. With new updates and software released frequently, it’s crucial to leverage the right tools to streamline operations.
MSPs with a cross-collaborative team are usually in the loop with new software. They evaluate your company’s needs and find the right software to automate and optimize certain processes of your operations.
With your MSP integrating new tools into your operations, you’ll gain an edge over your competitors.
Access To Diverse Skills
When you hire a single resource, they’re likely to be brilliant in just one I.T. domain. Let’s say, you hire an expert security consultant. While your business will remain protected from vulnerabilities and cyber-attacks, it remains unprotected against unexpected downtime and support issues.
I.T. service providers like I.T. For Less are a one-stop solution for all your I.T. needs. Their team has experts in every domain, ensuring your I.T. infrastructure is not only prone to security issues, but support issues and unexpected downtimes.
These experts can also help you leverage storage solutions like cloud services, ensuring readily available backup in case your I.T. infrastructure gets compromised. Having backup on standby allows your business to remain majorly unaffected by issues and makes it possible for your business to quickly get back on it’s feet.
Final Words
Working with managed service providers run by a cross-functional team can help streamline your operations. From innovative ideas to improved communication, these I.T. service providers instill a dynamic environment that propels your business toward success.
However, finding such I.T. service providers is never an easy find. Fortunately, that’s something we can help with! Having over two decades of experience in the I.T. industry, I.T. For Less is your go-to cross-functional MSP.
Our team of experts works collaboratively to keep your I.T. infrastructure well-performing, so you can focus on what matters the most: growing your business!
Are you ready to leverage the power of well-managed I.T. infrastructure for Less – Less cost, less stress, and less downtime?
Let’s talk and see how we can collaborate to grow your business!