Maybe. Think about this.

IT outsourcing is on the rise—having become increasingly popular among SMBs. According to the worldwide consultancy KPMG, many of these organizations are turning to IT managed services for access to experienced people, newer technologies, and other resources previously unavailable to them.

But, how and when did these companies know their IT had become too much of a challenge? Oftentimes, there were some clear indicators that IT managed services was their best option.

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IT ISSUES WERE GETTING IN THE WAY
Their IT became too difficult to manage effectively. They spent too much time on IT management, leaving too little for business. They found it hard to keep their IT systems available. Too much time and money went into hiring and training.

TECHNOLOGY CHANGED TOO QUICKLY
Technology is becoming too complex. They found it harder to make informed technology decisions. Their equipment and solutions were too quickly outdated. They dealt with multiple providers to resolve problems.

THEIR BUSINESS WAS GROWING AND EVOLVING
Their technology did not adapt easily to change. They wanted to improve and streamline business processes. They needed add technology capacity for their growing business. They wanted quick access to new applications.

IT COSTS WERE TOO HIGH FOR BUDGETS
IT costs were unpredictable and growing. Too much capital was tied up in expensive equipment. Rapid technology changes were driving up IT consulting fees. Unexpected expenses, such as software upgrades, we hurting their budget.

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Does any of this sound familiar? Still think you’re too small for IT managed services? Think again. According to a recent Computer Economics study, organizations with fewer than 300 employees stand to benefit the most from IT managed services and outsourcing their IT support.

So, the question is, how do you know if IT managed services would benefit your business?

Here are eight suggested questions to ask that will help figure out if your organization would benefit from IT managed services.

1. How are you currently supporting your network infrastructure, hardware, and software today…?
   If IT-related issues get in the way of business-critical tasks, or you are continually frustrated by limited resources and high costs, managed IT services could be a viable option.
2. Do you have dedicated, in-house IT personnel…?
   Companies with small, inexperienced, or non-existent IT staff are a great match for managed IT services—as you benefit from the collective capabilities of an experienced and professional IT team.
3. Does your number of employees / users outweigh your support capabilities…?
   If things keep “slipping through the cracks” and your IT professional needs help with the daily tasks in order to concentrate on the more important projects, managed IT services can supplement resources you already have.
4. Could you benefit from additional IT staff, but can’t justify the additional people…?
   Managed IT services expands your support capabilities without expanding your budget. Rather than taking on the expense of another employee, you could pay a predictable monthly fee for an experienced team of IT experts.
5. Is your technology lagging behind your business growth…?
   Managed IT services and hosted applications are ideal for companies who need to provide the latest and greatest, but do not want to commit to expensive personnel and support costs.
6. Do you have multiple locations and/or remote workers…?
   A managed IT services partner can help you with the “points and paths” that connect your people, locations, devices, and data—from wherever they are.
7. Are you concerned with security threats and meeting privacy or security regulations?
   Entrusting your business network to a team of managed IT services professionals will give you peace of mind through proactive monitoring and remediation should an issue arise.
8. Do you find yourself seeking expert guidance and then not being able to find it…?
   A virtual chief information / technology officer (vCIO / vCTO) can fulfill a role many business and organizations may lack—working as a trusted advisor, which will help with short- and long-term planning.

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Q&A Brief: “Are IT Managed Services Right for Your Business?”

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