Working with a managed service provider (MSP) can be a great way to outsource your IT needs and avoid some of the common challenges that come with maintaining an in-house IT team.
However, there are still some potential IT managed services challenges that your business must be aware of when working with an MSP.
In this blog, we'll outline some of the common managed services challenges and how to avoid them by partnering with a reliable managed IT provider.
Exploring Managed Services Challenges and How They Arise
Hiring an MSP is a big decision, and it's important to do your research to find the right provider for your business.
With the global IT managed services market expected to reach $414 billion by 2028 and so many new MSPs entering the market, this makes the chances of encountering an inexperienced MSP even greater.
With the time and consideration you put into finding the right IT partner, however, you'll be able to ensure a value-added partnership that helps you run your business smoothly and delivers quality services and support for your company.
You’ll also be protected from the many IT managed services challenges that can arise along the way from turning to MSPs who are unqualified.
Essentially, it is ultimately your choice of partner that determines the value your business will see out of your IT services.
Check out these blogs to learn more about how you can avoid all of the common IT managed services provider challenges in choosing an MSP who can meet your needs.
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How To Avoid These 5 Managed Services Challenges
1. Inconsistent Service
It's not uncommon to receive inconsistent responses from multiple providers when resolving IT related issues, especially in cases where an emergency situation arises.
As one of the biggest managed services providers challenges, this can lead to:
- Inability to resolve IT issues in a timely manner
- Higher costs due to loss of productivity
- Recurring security issues that are left unsolved
As such, it's important to partner with an experienced MSP that has the necessary expertise to address these challenges swiftly and accurately - and is prepared to promise you service offerings through a service level agreement (SLA).
2. Inadequate Cyber Security Coverage
51% of small businesses surveyed by Digital.com said they did not have cybersecurity measures in place.
A large part of this is because many IT service providers claim managed security as one of their offerings, but don’t actually have proven processes in place to deliver the level of protection that you need.
This is single-handedly one of the biggest IT managed services challenges today.
Choosing the right MSP partner can help businesses prevent such threats before they become a reality by providing security expertise and thorough safety protocols and advanced security measures.
In your MSP selection process, be sure to ask about the following security services:
- Remote monitoring
- Penetration testing
- Firewalls
- 2-factor authentication (2FA)
- Antivirus / anti-malware protection
- Intrusion detection and prevention
- Managed backups and disaster recovery
- Managed Detection and Response (MDR)
3. Budgeting
Finding an MSP that offers reasonable rates and the flexibility to scale up or down as needed is no easy feat.
Unfortunately, many MSPs require long term commitments and lock customers into contracts with expensive penalties if they need to make changes. This makes it difficult for small to medium-sized businesses like yours that are growing quickly and may need to adjust infrastructure frequently to accommodate new business demands.
For this reason, it’s best to find an MSP that offers flexible service offerings, as well as advice on how to reduce your technology spend with IT project estimates and customized budgeting.
In-House or Managed IT Services? Let’s Compare
Managing IT services in-house comes with a number of challenges, including poor communication, out-of-date technology, unreliable network infrastructure, and inadequate support during crisis situations.
And while the IT managed services providers challenges mentioned above are always a risk, these common challenges of managing your IT services in-house are far greater.
Check out this graph to compare the benefits of managed IT services with those of in-house teams:
Why Choose Managed IT?
The MSP market is becoming so saturated that it’s becoming more challenging for MSPs to stand out amongst the competition, with 29% of managed service providers (MSPs) citing ‘competition’ as their greatest challenge in a recent survey.
It is not only one of the challenges MSPs face, but it can also pose a challenge for your business as finding a reliable IT provider becomes harder and harder in a market full of false promises.
To avoid these potential managed services challenges and ensure your business is receiving the best possible service, it is essential to choose an experienced and reliable MSP like The Isidore Group, which has delivered proven results over time and has 8+ years of experience.
Reap the full benefits of managed IT services! Book a free consultation today.
