Why It’s Not Good Enough To Just Have An “IT Guy”
Chances are, if you are not already working with a Managed Service Provider, you are working with an IT guy that operates their service using a Break/Fix repair model. The break/fix model works very simply: your IT guy will work on a fee-for-service pay scale, providing you IT support only in your time of need. In most cases, “time of need” generally means that you are only being serviced when something has already broken. This is an incredibly reactive mindset, as your business has now lost hours or days worth of productivity while you wait for your IT guy to come and repair an already broken piece of equipment. The cost of downtime can be astronomical for a business, and on top of that you still have to pay hourly wages to your IT guy once they have gotten you back on your feet… until the next disaster. More often then not your IT Guy is a self taught network amateur-turned-pro.
The break/fix model might seem like a workable solution until you realize that there is something else out there which can help you run your business seamlessly, through a proactive approach to IT.
Managed IT Services is the anti break/fix mentality - a proactive approach to IT.
In 2015, each day we see more and more "IT guys" jumping on the managed service bandwagon... But what exactly is managed services? How can you differentiate the between a true Managed Service Provider (MSP) and a company who is using the term dishonestly, possibly as a marketing ploy? This is just the unfortunate truth. Most IT guys will say yes to anything but often lack the resources to actually deliver a managed service or even the business skills to negotiate a technology solution with you.
An honest and effective MSP runs their business with this very goal in mind. MSP’s generally offer flat-rate monthly or quarterly fees for their services, and in return provide 24/7 monitoring of workstations, management and problem resolution. The software that MSP’s use (RMM- Remote Management and Maintenance) allow for all-in-one solutions for their clients; giving technicians alerts for system outages and warnings, while also allowing for technicians to “remote in” to workstations and servers to provide daily maintenance, including installation of patches, antivirus scanning, software updates and much more. With RMM software, efficient MSP’s can manage client infrastructure from a remote location, effectively eliminating the mindset that “everything is an emergency”. In most cases, technicians are able to eliminate problems before they occur, providing business owners with peace of mind that their technology will run seamlessly with virtually no downtime and/or outages.
An effective MSP will fix an IT problem before the client even knew there was one.
Proactively managing client IT infrastructure is good for both the client and the provider for a number of reasons:
- Most managed service agreements cost less than traditional break/fix service models, especially when considering the additional costs asSOCiated with break/fix service such as downtime, emergency service fees, etc.
- Through the use of RMM software, MSP’s can manage client workstations and other technologies remotely. This eliminates travel expenses, the need for a fleet of company vehicles, and saves time. This saves money for both the MSP and in turn, the client.
- Since MSP’s work on a flat fee basis, clients never have to worry about being overcharged. Typical IT guys could potentially embellish their time sheets, making the client pay for extra unnecessary hours. MSP technicians have the incentive to work proactively and efficiently, ensuring that your business will be running on a smooth and seamless network.
Managed Service Providers offer superior service for less money than the traditional IT guy. Through proactive solutions and unparalleled expertise, MSP’s are effectively taking the fear out of IT.
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