When something goes wrong with your vehicle, you probably take it in to be worked on by a mechanic, who can quickly diagnose the problem and take the steps necessary to correct it. Often, the problem isn’t the part itself, but the way that you maintain the car. For example, if you don’t change the oil regularly, the dirty oil will eventually damage the engine, causing more headaches (and a bigger repair bill) than had you just taken the 30 minutes to get the oil changed in the first place.
In many ways, your IT network is similar to your car. All of the parts of your network must be working properly in order for it to work efficiently, or even at all. If one part isn’t working up to par, or stops working altogether, the effects can ripple through the entire network — even causing it to shut down altogether. And much like serious problems in your automobile can be prevented by following the maintenance schedule and working with a qualified mechanic to find and fix small problems before they become big ones, serious problems in your network can be prevented by regular monitoring and maintenance.
The problem though, is that many companies (especially small and mid-sized businesses that do not have large IT departments) do not invest in adequate maintenance for their networks. They trust that their IT workforce is adequate to handle day-to-day tasks, and that major issues can be addressed on an as-needed basis. This model, known as a “break/fix” solution, because the company waits until something is broken before getting it fixed, is in most cases a more expensive option, and can have a severe impact on a company’s bottom line and productivity. Most companies that do not have the budget or the IT talent to effectively develop, maintain, and secure their networks are better served by contracting with a managed services provider (MSP).
Managed Services Defined
Many companies only turn to support professionals when they need help — that is, something is broken. In some cases, support providers also do upgrades or run diagnostics to find any red flags that indicate trouble is brewing. These services are invaluable to small businesses that do not have the ability to perform such tasks on their own, but there is a major flaw: The services are temporary, in the sense that the technician performing them only sees what has happened in the past, and current issues. Break/fix providers might identify the potential for future problems, but they are not monitoring constantly to identify and correct those issues before they become a bigger issue.
Managed services, however, will take on 24/7 responsibility for monitoring and maintaining your network. They aren’t combing logs to find the reason that a server crashed — they spot the problem when it starts and begin repairs immediately. Managed service providers also handle tasks that have a tendency to fall by the wayside when managed by inexperienced or overwhelmed IT departments, such as installing patches and managing backups. In short, MSP’s act proactively to make sure that your network works the way it should every day, preventing costly downtime.
Why MSP’s Are a Bargain
When comparing cost, you might be thinking, “Why should I hire someone to handle everything, when it’s so much cheaper to just pay for services when I need them?” On the surface, that logic makes sense. You don’t keep a mechanic on retainer for your car, to check it every time you go for a drive. But IT networks are different from cars, and need constant monitoring to avoid problems with security, malfunctions, and other issues.
Therefore, an MSP makes more financial sense than break/fix because:
- An MSP effectively replaces the need for an IT department. Your IT professionals can devote their time to revenue-increasing activities rather than constantly putting out fires.
- MSPs find problems before they take down your network, preventing lost revenues and productivity.
- MSPs help make sure that you are maximizing your IT investment and do not waste money on unnecessary infrastructure.
- MSPs help prevent catastrophic problems, such as failed backups or spambot infiltration, that may go unnoticed under the break/fix model.
- MSP’s operate on a contract basis, meaning that you do not have to pay costly fees for diagnostics and corrective measures if things go wrong. Depending on the severity of the issue, this could result in significant savings.
Working with a MSP does require making an investment, but it’s an investment in the proper functioning of your network and peace of mind that you won’t have interruptions when you least need or expect them. Much like changing the oil in your car helps keep it in top shape, an MSP keeps your network running smoothly.