With global markets more competitive than ever, businesses are constantly on the lookout to make their operations more effective, cost-efficient and flexible. Many larger companies have allocated a percentage of their information technology function to managed IT services companies like Scale IT.
Managed service providers (MSPs) offer a broad range of information technology services that can handle specific IT services for a company or 100 percent of a business’s technology needs. For example, some businesses hire MSPs to provide network management services, hosting for email and other business applications to provide additional storage capacity.
Managed IT services – cloud computing services
According to Forrester, 61% of small and medium-size business (SMBs) use some form of cloud computing to run their operations. The SMB segment is the fastest growing segment in the cloud computing vertical to leverage the power of the Internet to not only make themselves more efficient, but to grow their operations.
According to one report 54% of the companies surveyed made plans to increase spending in the public cloud in 2013. This pattern will continue over the next few years. While some companies have moved specific tasks to the cloud, other companies transitioned their entire IT operations to a 100% cloud-based solution.
A large percentage of outlays have been allocated to software-as-a-service (SaaS). However, infrastructure-as a-service (IaaS) represents fastest growing segment of the “as-a-service” market. Businesses are ridding themselves of the responsibility, staff and hassles associated with managing in-house infrastructures. Some companies have taken the IaaS model a step further by purchasing comprehensive packages of end-to-end IT services– applications infrastructure, data, security, and other services, in the cloud.
Benefits for Small Businesses
Cloud computing allows even small organizations to have access to the latest hardware, software applications and other managed IT services without the need to run an in house IT department. Start-ups can reap immediate benefits as they gain access to the latest computing technology without a huge upfront investment. SMBs in need of upgrading software or replacing aging servers can also gain from cloud computing
For most small and medium-size businesses seeking to enhance their operations and grow market share, managed IT services and cloud computing can provide powerful solutions and improve their cash flow by reducing or eliminating capital investments and expenses for hardware, software and staff.
Whether you decide to move certain tasks to the cloud or keep your existing infrastructure onsite, partnering with a managed service provider makes your IT budget more predictable and improves your ability to respond to market changes.
Do not confuse Managed IT services with 100 percent outsourcing or the total surrender of your IT infrastructure to a third-party. Although this is an option, you can use managed IT services as an extension of you company. Get in touch with a management consultant today and learn how managed IT services can help you create a more powerful IT infrastructure. In turn, you can redirect your efforts and resources on core competencies and growing your business.
