March 22, 2023
Employers are increasingly turning to managed services to support their organizations. The 2023 State of IT Report found that Managed Services will account for 18% of IT budgets in 2023, up from 15% in 2020. The same report states that 59% of employers said hiring skilled IT workers is difficult, making it increasingly likely they’ll turn to a Managed Services Provider (MSP) for help.
Not only is it challenging to hire skilled IT workers, but the IT environment they support also has changed. While many employers are pushing for a return to the office, a 2022 Gallup poll found that hybrid work was expected to reach 55% of remote-capable workers by the end of 2022. In addition, 60% of remote-capable workers want a long-term hybrid arrangement. Supporting a hybrid workplace requires specialized skills, efficient collaboration tools, and flexible solutions. These trends emphasize the need to partner with a reputable MSP.
There are many benefits to the monthly cost of an MSP, and if you’re considering moving to or changing your MSP, here are seven areas to focus on. There are also different managed service offerings that may fit your specific needs.
If you have a core IT team focused on delivering key projects, and they don’t have the time to solve end-user issues, outsourcing your service desk (or help desk) makes sense for you. A dedicated service desk gives your users a single point of contact to resolve their hardware or software issues. Most service desks can solve problems over the phone or through remote desktop support, saving your users valuable time. If needed, most MSPs will provide onsite support as well. Service desks can also manage the patches and upgrades deployed to your devices and track and service warranties from your equipment manufacturers.
Microsoft 365 (M365) is a significant investment, and your staff may not have the time to master every feature it offers. Engaging with an MSP for M365 managed services ensures you fully utilize your subscription. SharePoint and Teams are powerful collaboration tools, and an MSP can recommend best practices for implementation and everyday use. You’ll also get the most out of the advanced security features that M365 provides while knowing your data is regularly backed up.
A fully managed solution includes end-to-end services – from storing and monitoring your data in a data center to service desk support for your end users. Your network’s performance is monitored, so you get the phone, video, and data performance needed to run your business. The MSP tracks the latest cybersecurity trends protecting your organization with antivirus, antimalware, backup, and recovery services. You’ll be insulated from technological changes and the hardware lifecycle, as the costs will be included in your monthly invoice.
Dewpoint experts have the knowledge and experience to deliver a managed services solution that fits your organization’s needs. We believe in “Making IT Personal,” and whether it’s our Service Desk, Microsoft 365, or Fully Managed Infrastructure Services – our professionals embody that philosophy. We’ll deliver the availability and performance your organization needs, so you can focus on achieving your business objectives. Chat with our experts today to start building a solution for you.