Busting Common Myths About Managed IT Services

As businesses become more tech-dependent, IT infrastructures are growing too complex and dynamic for in-house teams. There’s a growing demand for managed IT services to relieve the mounting burden on internal IT teams. So much so, in fact, that 87.5% of SMBs use a managed IT service provider or plan to do so.

However, some entrepreneurs are uncertain about managed IT. And that’s mainly because of the myths, misconceptions, and misinformation surrounding managed IT services.

This article sets the record straight by debunking the top five managed IT myths.

Myth 1: Managed IT Services Are Too Expensive

It’s understandable to think that hiring an IT provider would be more expensive than working with in-house staff. But actually, the opposite is true. Managed IT services save you money in the following ways:

• A subscription fee for managed IT is just a fraction of an IT expert’s salary
• Onboarding a managed services provider does not involve expensive training
• IT providers bring third-party tools and services that would otherwise be out of reach due to high costs
• Manage IT services focus on streamlining your IT for cost efficiency
• By boosting your IT’s performance, security, and reliability, a managed partner improves your bottom line

Depending on your IT footprint, a managed IT provider can save you a significant chunk of your tech spend—all while improving your digital productivity.

Myth 2: In-House Support Is Better Than Managed IT

In-house support vs. managed IT—which is better?

Well, the answer is not all that clear-cut. The better approach will depend on your overall IT needs. However, managed IT services have a stronger case for most businesses. You essentially get a lot more from managed IT than from an internal IT department.

Here are some of the reasons that make managed IT superior to in-house support:

• Lower overall IT costs
• 24/7 availability
• Access to a team of experts with diverse skills
• Easy flexibility and scalability
• Outsider’s perspective

Myth 3: You Lose Control of All Your IT Operations

Engaging a managed IT services provider means delegating some or all IT tasks to a third party. The IT provider does not take exclusive control of your systems or operations.

The IT provider’s role is clearly outlined in the master service agreement (MSA), a binding contract defining the working relationship between both parties. The MSA is also where you draw the IT provider’s scope—what they can and cannot do.

Myth 4: My Business Is Too Small for Managed IT

Most SMBs have a relatively small IT infrastructure. But that shouldn’t mean they’re unfit for managed services.

Managed IT works for both big and small enterprises. In fact, one might argue that smaller businesses benefit more from signing up with a managed services provider. Partnering with an IT provider unlocks the full potential of the IT infrastructure, making the most of limited resources. Plus, managed IT providers make professional IT support accessible and affordable to SMBs.

Myth 5: All Managed IT Providers Are the Same

This is simply not true. Not all IT providers are created equal. Support services, delivery models, costs, and terms of engagement differ widely from one provider to another. Some even specialize in particular industries, niches, or business models.

In other words, managed IT is not one-size-fits-all. Also, you shouldn’t dismiss managed IT based on a bad past experience. It could be that you haven’t found the right IT partner for your business.

Speaking of finding the right managed IT provider, try Highway 99 Technology Solutions. We provide responsive and reliable Managed IT Services that will support your business goals. Get in touch with us to learn how you can leverage our vast expertise, resources, and experience in business technology.

Featured image credit: Image by starline on Freepik