Originally Posted On: https://www.networth.ca/post/managed-it-services-that-catch-trouble-before-it-costs-you-time
A reactive approach to IT systems management might seem simple when everything works as it should. But what happens when a server goes down, or a cyberattack forces your business offline?
You’ll need to call a local IT specialist to help solve the problem quickly. But it’s not just the repair bill you need to consider in an emergency; it’s the downtime.
For days on end, you may have no way to deliver the products and services your customers need. That can affect your lead generation, client satisfaction, and (ultimately) brand reputation.
Fortunately, adopting a proactive IT strategy can help you save time in the long run. And partnering with a managed IT services provider is the most efficient, convenient way to do this.
Below, we’ll explain how managed IT services can prevent issues before they disrupt your business.
The High Cost of a Reactive Approach to IT Management
While it’s not easy to monitor your infrastructure in detail when running a business, keeping a close eye on it is crucial nevertheless. Otherwise, you may only realize that your systems aren’t running as they should when something goes wrong.
And by that time, you may not be able to fix it without outside help.
Even if you hire your own in-house IT technicians, they’ll likely have their hands full dealing with everyday tasks. Some issues are also just too big for one or two employees to handle themselves, especially if they lack the resources they need to do the job right.
And when your IT fails, you could face extensive downtime while an expert gets you up and running again. Here’s why that’s a problem:
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It will cost you invaluable opportunities to win new business by generating leads and engaging with users on social media.
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You won’t be able to operate as usual. Existing customers may discover that your site is down and they can’t contact you via the usual methods.
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You won’t generate revenue, but you’ll still be paying employees’ salaries — even while they can’t work.
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Customers may lose trust in your business and your ability to operate in a safe, responsible way.
Ultimately, IT problems on any scale can cost you serious time and money. But they also bring added stress, which is rarely in short supply when running a business.
How Managed IT Services Deliver Proactive Solutions
A proactive approach is the most effective way to predict, identify, and mitigate risks before they affect your IT infrastructure. Partnering with a managed IT services provider will take the stress out of monitoring your network and systems in-house.
Instead, you can relax and leave the hard part to a team that lives and breathes information technology. But how do managed services help catch IT trouble before it hits?
A comprehensive strategy includes:
24/7 Monitoring to Identify Warning Signs
Around-the-clock monitoring is essential to spot potential problems as early as possible. Hackers and criminals have access to highly sophisticated tools that can penetrate networks with ease. But 24/7 monitoring ensures consistent vigilance and helps to maintain business continuity.
On-Site and Remote Support to Prevent Issues
Without managed IT services, you never know when you might need to call a local specialist or how expensive that could be. And if you’re on a tight budget, this unpredictability can be a real concern.
However, the best managed service providers will include on-site and remote support in your plan. If they spot any minor threats or technical faults, specialists can either visit your site or access your systems instantly from their base. This will be part of your plan and won’t incur any additional expense.
Whatever the problem, on-site and remote support can help you avoid downtime without the worry of unexpected costs.
A Bespoke Strategy Based on Your Unique Needs
A one-size-fits-all IT management strategy may work for some businesses, but it can be problematic for various reasons:
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You could pay for services and technologies that you don’t need.
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You may miss out on beneficial hardware, software, and solutions.
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You might lack the support to grow your business and expand your operations.
That’s why the best managed IT services are tailored to fit the needs of each client. A reputable team will assess your current IT infrastructure, business operations, goals, and budget to create the most suitable plan for you. This will ensure that you have the right services to help you avoid wasted time.
Backup and Restore Services to Ensure Business Continuity
While identifying and mitigating threats is critical, backing your data up is essential to prevent downtime. This involves storing all the files you need to operate outside of your office in the event of a disaster, whether that means uploading them to an off-site hard drive or in the cloud.
With cloud storage included in your managed IT services plan, you and your team can access important files from home or another office. You won’t need as much downtime (or any at all, in some cases), so your business can recover more quickly.
Cybersecurity Solutions to Minimize the Risk of Downtime
Security breaches can lead to long and stressful periods of downtime. Implementing effective cybersecurity measures is paramount to protect your business from a variety of common threats, including:
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Ransomware
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Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks
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Social engineering
Ransomware, in particular, is one of the biggest security threats facing Canadian businesses. For example, the average cost of ransoms paid in Canada was $1.130 million CAD in 2023 — 150% more than it was two years earlier. But effective protections can keep these dangers at bay.
Finding the Right Managed IT Services for Your Business
With a dedicated team as your IT support partner, you know that threats to your operations will be detected, assessed, and addressed proactively. This will reduce the likelihood of downtime and the resulting fallout.
At NETWORTH, we offer comprehensive managed IT services to suit businesses just like yours. Our experts will take a proactive approach to protect your network from a huge range of issues and prevent costly downtime.
Want to try our managed IT solutions for 30 days for FREE? Get in touch today!