IT Managed Services: What are the Benefits?
Information Technology (IT) infrastructure is one of the most valuable assets for any business or charity. While it is possible to keep IT operations inhouse, the benefits of IT managed services are enormous. At VS Group, we’re passionate about empowering our clients with the knowledge to make smart and informed decisions when it comes to communications solutions. This guide offers more information about IT managed services and explores how outsourcing the responsibility to professionals can benefit your small business, charity or third sector organisation.
What are IT managed services?
Before we spotlight the benefits of IT managed services, it’s important to define exactly what the term means. Let’s start with the IT acronym. As mentioned earlier, it stands for Information Technology and describes the use of computers, laptops, smartphones and other digital devices to generate, process, store, transfer and exchange digital data. As well as physical devices, IT includes the associated infrastructure, hardware, software and processing systems needed to carry out these tasks.
Here are a few examples of services that fall within the IT umbrella:
- Digital platforms that allow employees to work from home
- Cybersecurity systems
- Cloud services
- Data back-up
- Voice over internet protocol (VoIP) infrastructure
- Email services
- Troubleshooting and tech support
Companies that offer IT managed services essentially act as guardians for critical IT infrastructure. The digital footprints of modern businesses are continually growing which means proactive IT management is more important than ever.
The benefits of IT managed services
Whether you’re a private medical clinic serving the local community or a growing charity with a national presence, all enterprises can benefit from managed IT services. Here’s an overview of some of the key benefits, which can be applied to organisations of all shapes and sizes.
Free up time to focus on your area of expertise
Whether it’s coordinating a donations campaign for a nationally recognised charity or overhauling the patient registration process at a medical clinic, IT managed services offer organisations the freedom to focus on their areas of expertise. Instead of struggling to stay on top of IT operations, managed services ensure everything continues to run smoothly behind the scenes.
Heightened security
Digitalisation has transformed modern workplaces. It’s reimagined how companies communicate and opened exciting new doors and opportunities when it comes to employee collaboration and customer engagement. However, ever-expanding digital footprints come with a unique set of cybersecurity threats.
To continue operating in digital spaces, organisations must take steps to protect sensitive data, such as customer credit card details or private patient information. Heightened security is one of the key benefits of IT managed services and offers the total peace of mind that your sensitive data is safe and secure.
Streamline operations
Top-tier communications solutions should feel seamless. However, behind the scenes there are all kinds of moving parts to consider. Investing in IT managed services takes the stress out of coordinating communications and connectivity for your enterprise.
Instead of struggling to manage multiple suppliers and understand the complexities of niche areas like voice over internet protocol (VoIP) infrastructure, cabling and maintenance, outsourcing IT services to a professional simplifies operations with a single point of contact.
Simplify invoicing
In the same way that IT management simplifies your points of contact, it also streamlines your accounts payable department. Instead of dealing with multiple invoices from different suppliers every month, IT managed services are billed on a single invoice. This makes it easier to budget and ensures IT expenses are constant and predictable.
Optimise productivity
IT infrastructure is at the core of any modern business. Whether it’s communicating with customers via a feature-rich voice over internet protocol (VoIP) system, storing sensitive data in the cloud or using a digital platform to promote collaboration between team members, IT has a critical role to play in everyday operations.
While IT operations can be managed inhouse, outsourcing the responsibility to a professional service provider is a guaranteed way to optimise productivity within your workplace. The goal is to empower employees with the digital tools they need to carry out tasks and efficiently, as well as communicate internally and externally.
On-demand support
Even the smallest IT glitches can have a serious domino effect. For example, a data security breach can severely damage the reputation of a charity and put donations at risk. Similarly, failing to backup data can result in the loss of valuable customer contact details for small businesses. One of the key benefits of IT managed services is access to a dedicated support team. At the first sign of a security breach, data glitch or another issue you can rest assured a professional team is working hard behind the scenes to rectify the situation.
Unlike other members of your team who may specialise in fields like administration or customer service, IT support providers draw on the collective experience of trained professionals. Specialised skills, up-to-date certifications and a deep knowledge of digital infrastructure make all the difference when it comes to IT operations.
Unlock savings
Budget is generally front-of-mind for small businesses, charities and other third sector organisations. Outsourcing IT management to a professional company can be an effective way to minimise overheads. Not only will you receive the best technology and communications solutions, but you’ll unlock the best possible prices. As well as locking in the best prices, IT managed services teams actively work to source more cost-effective solutions, as they become available.
Up-to-the-minute technology
The information technology realm is continually evolving. Keeping up with the latest trends and innovations can become overwhelming for those not working directly within the industry. Proactive account management is another key benefit of IT managed services. When you outsource IT management to the professionals you can rest assured your organisation will have its finger on the pulse of the ever-changing technology landscape.
For example, at VS Group we offer our charity clients next-generation OfficeServ 7000 technology from Samsung. The best-in-class telephony solution is built to support charities that make and receive large volumes of calls. Start small and grow your charity with up to 1,000 extensions, plus a suite of features like smart queuing, call waiting and voicemail to email. Not only is it feature-rich but it’s cost-effective, making it ideal for small and medium-sized charities looking to minimise overhead costs.
Scalable and flexible
The best IT managed service providers offer flexibility to grow over time. Whether you’re a newly opened dental clinic building clientele or a charity looking to expand to other areas of the UK, outsourcing IT management makes it easy to scale up your communications and technology solutions, as necessary.
Bespoke solutions
Every organisation is different which is why a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t always work it when it comes to IT solutions. The ability to customise your communications, telephony and data storage solutions is one of the most important benefits of IT managed services. Providers look carefully at your requirements and create bespoke IT solutions based on the unique needs of your business.
Stay compliant
The UK takes data security seriously and organisations that fail to comply with laws like the Data Protection Act 2018 and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) risk serious fines. Not to mention loss of trust and confidence from customers. IT managed services take the stress our of compliance and ensure your digital operations are safe, secure and compliant.
Easy-to-manage cabling
Cabling is one of the biggest headaches faced by organisations attempting to manage IT solutions inhouse. Outsourcing your IT managed services puts planning, supply, installation and maintenance into the hands of the experts. You can enjoy the total peace of mind that you cabling solutions are fully operational and meet all legal requirements.
Are IT managed services a good investment for your organisation?
As mentioned earlier, every business, charity and third sector organisation has different needs. It’s important to look closely at the unique needs of your enterprise when weighing up the benefits of IT managed services vs the costs.
In general, all enterprises underpinned by digital technologies can benefit from IT managed services. Why? For starters, modern customers and clients expect a certain level of digitalisation. It’s also important to factor in the ever-increasing risk of cybersecurity attacks.
Not to mention the fact that IT technologies are becoming increasingly complex. Partnering with a professional IT management service provider is a great way to help your enterprise stay up to date with the latest technology trends, as well as achieve your unique goals.
Upgrade your IT solutions with VS Group
Looking for professional IT managed services that will grow with your organisation? At VS Group we specialise in tailored IT solutions for small businesses, charities and other third sector organisations. We step up as guardians for your critical IT infrastructure and ensure your backend operations are fast, efficient and secure.
With high-profile clients and partners across the UK, you can enjoy all the benefits of IT managed services at affordable prices. Get in touch with a customer service agent today to find out more about bespoke IT managed services.
