Overwhelmed with endless high-priority decision-making, entrepreneur-led startups and SMEs often overspend on business IT. Still, a subtle reluctance to deploy managed IT services looms in the modern-day business ambience as startups look for ways to cut costs and get the most value for their IT investments. The capital raised during multiple funding rounds is repeatedly disbursed to market research, expansion, advertising, inventory, equipment purchases, and staff wages.

However, managed IT services are rarely on this list. This automatically pushes the adoption of a break-fix approach where IT challenges are confronted after they develop, not before. Network infrastructure installation and cloud server maintenance call for seasoned expertise, which may not be available in-house. It is in these situations that managed IT services can have a lasting positive impact on your startup’s growth trajectory.

In this post, we’ve rounded up the top five reasons why startups should consider managed it services in Tampa in their long-term success strategy.

1. Managed IT Services Aid with the Deployment of Cost-Effective IT Solutions

High business costs are labeled a “startup killer” for good reason. Recent data shows that one in four startups fail within the first year alone and nearly half will have gone out of business by the 5th year mark. Among the high-cost factors cited include:

Employee salaries and benefits
Licenses and permits
Basic supplies and inventory
Business taxes
Advertising and marketing costs

What these surveys may fail to account for is the soaring cost of inflation. When the cost of goods and services rises and demand falls, it can present an existential threat to businesses, especially startups. Combined, business costs add a significant drain to your startup’s bottom line. At this point in time, cost-effective IT infrastructure purchases should be viewed as a strategic investment.

Managed IT services help less savvy decision-makers distinguish between luxury and necessity when it comes to IT procurement. Cloud computing, for instance, adds significant overhead and operating costs for acquisition and deployment. But looked at from a strategic standpoint, cloud infrastructure palliates the need for additional expensive on-site servers.

2. Managed Service Providers Can Help Seal Security Gaps Hidden in Workflows and Infrastructure

Given the risky digital environment we live in, it’s in any founder’s best interests to keep their IT infrastructure clean and well-protected from cyberattacks at all times. A successful cyber attack can permanently cripple startup operations or cause unbearable financial strain resulting from ransomware payments and market share loss. It’s no wonder 60% of small businesses close within six months of a data breach.

Managed IT service providers are a bastion of small and medium-sized enterprises looking to fortify their cybersecurity defenses and maintain resilience in the face of an incident. Among the many cybersecurity measures in your local MSP’s toolkit include:

Up-to-date software – As technology evolves, so, too, do hacker tactics. Legacy technologies often lack the improved security features, regular support, and the ongoing maintenance offered by newer systems and applications. Unsurprisingly, they barely stand any chance against the next wave of cybersecurity threats.
Comprehensive disaster recovery planning – No one can guarantee 100% protection against a cyber attack. However, you can sufficiently prepare for the attack, whether it materializes or not. Developing and executing a comprehensive disaster recovery plan is one of the ways in which MSPs help startups regain lost ground whenever disaster strikes.
Passwords and multi-factor authentication – Managed IT services can be entrusted with the creation and deployment of password and user access controls, where remote users and employees are involved. Combined, these measures ensure that unauthorized parties are kept where they belong – away from the system.

These measures are just the tip of the iceberg with regard to cybersecurity. As a startup, there exists several vulnerabilities within your IT infrastructure which increase the level of exposure to potential cyber incidents. Managed IT providers such as Data-Tech are probably better equipped to evaluate your cybersecurity posture and prepare the most appropriate response strategy in response to an attack.

3. Managed IT Services Deliver Unlimited Access to Industry Expertise and Unparalleled Experience

In-house IT staff, being at the forefront of every facet of IT service delivery, are responsible for ensuring that your business sustains optimal efficiency. The trust placed in them, while duly just, may no longer be adequate to address the unique IT challenges that startups face today. Besides, in-house teams always seem torn between perpetual cycles of priority tasks and are bound to make errors due to fatigue and insufficient expertise.

Managed IT services provide uninterrupted access to the right experts in the right quantity and at the right time. These experts will bring specialized skill sets backed by credible certifications in different aspects of IT. On top of that, MSPs also bring a wealth of knowledge drawn from direct experience working with other peers in your industry vertical.

The managed IT service provider also ensures that your business stays in compliance with regulations such as HIPAA and PCI DSS through advanced data protection and enhanced security. Compliance requirements are dynamic and complex, hence, require specialized experts with a knack for breaking down complex jargon into an executable IT strategy.

4. Managed IT Creates the Foundation for More Scalable and Flexible Operations for Growing Startups

Most startup businesses have high aspirations to attain some level of growth and improve their viability within the first five years. As growth is bound to happen at some point in time, the question remains, will the current IT infrastructure support such growth or will new systems be required?

Partnering with an MSP answers this question. A managed IT service offers scalable and flexible IT support solutions that are adaptable and seamlessly integrate with existing software. One go-to solution for scalable and flexible business operations is the integration of cloud services. As startups grow into more established ventures, they start to move away from traditional on-site facilities and host applications and services on cloud facilities. This creates room for more customers and employees across multiple locations.

No hidden costs are incurred with an MSP; everything is outlined in your service level agreement, hence no surprise costs outside the monthly flat rate fee or the hourly rate charged (depending on their pricing model).

5. MSPs Alleviate IT Issues with Proactive IT Maintenance and Support

Having an all-time available IT service provider at your beck and call eases the maintenance burden placed on your in-house team. Regular monitoring and testing for existing infrastructure ensures that your business stays ahead of potential problems.

With managed IT services, developing IT issues detected are addressed before they escalate. MSPs peer into the future through regular monitoring and periodic testing, closing down loopholes that are paving the way for potential cyber attackers.

In the event of an unprecedented system crash, you can always count on your managed IT service provider to carry out repairs, restore affected systems, and minimize the damaging effects of unplanned downtime. Partnering with a managed IT services provider gives startup managers the peace of mind that their IT infrastructure is in good hands.

Conclusion

Startup founders and managers have an obligation to prioritize the venture’s success. To achieve this, they’re compelled to track the health and performance of existing systems while keeping an eye on employee productivity. This can be made easier with the help of a local managed IT service provider with extensive experience and expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can managed IT services help startups improve their overall business productivity and efficiency?

Offloading IT management to experienced IT service providers leaves more time and resources for more strategic duties. Managed IT services handle time-consuming, redundant and complex IT tasks, from proactive monitoring and rapid issue resolution, to ongoing tech updates. In so doing, they streamline rather difficult processes that would have been left to an overburdened in-house team.

What are some common challenges that startups face when IT comes to technology infrastructure and how can managed IT services help overcome them?

Among the IT infrastructure challenges that startups can face include limited in-house resources and persistent cybersecurity risks. Managed IT services offer seasoned expertise, proactive IT monitoring, and scalable solutions that smoothen operations, enhance security, and help startups adapt to the increasingly complex business environment.

Can managed IT services provide customized solutions tailored to the specific needs and budget constraints of a startup?

Absolutely! Managed IT services do provide tailored solutions to match startup needs. Often, in-house IT staff end up purchasing IT equipment that is either unnecessary or too expensive for its intended use. Managed IT service providers can help with strategic IT purchases and the acquisition of customized IT solutions that meet your startup’s needs.

How do managed IT services stay up-to-date with the latest technology trends and advancements to ensure startups are using the most innovative solutions?

To ensure that up-to-date technologies are offered to startups, managed IT service providers carry out frequent industry-related research to keep up with emerging trends. An assessment of the new technology’s compatibility with your startup’s systems would further reveal hidden gaps before its acquisition and integration.

Are there any case studies or success stories of startups that have benefited significantly from utilizing managed IT services?

Several companies have benefited significantly from managed IT services. This includes big-box retailers, financial institutions, procurement and logistics, legal, and medical firms, and non-government organizations. You can find real success stories from our client testimonials.

5 Reasons Why Managed IT Services Are Paramount to Startup Success