Secure Your Remote Work with the Right Backups

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Working from home is no longer only for a few employees in special circumstances. The pandemic pushed many businesses to enable remote work. The priority was getting it working and securing access. Now that it’s routine, it’s also time to consider how you back up work from home.

Data backup creates a reliable copy of business data. An accessible, accurate backup prepares you for system failures, data corruption or deletion, natural disaster, or a security breach.

Regular readers of our articles know that we’re in favour of the 3-2-1 approach to data backup. You have three separate backups on at least two different mediums, and one is always off-site.

Yet even those with best practices in place may not have thought about work-from-home backups. Still, with so many people using remote networking, you need to take a fresh look at backup systems.

The IT team should have already set up automated backup systems for the on-site work environment, but what procedures are in place to protect data generated remotely?

Remote Work Backup Risks

Backup puts important business data in a protected place to ensure a quick emergency response. Without a backup, it will take a lot longer for your business to bounce back from an IT disruption.

In the home office, or when people are working remotely elsewhere, there are new risks. Saving files locally on a home computer may mean that data is not available to others who need it. Plus, the laptop could be lost or stolen (or broken when a furry colleague at the home office knocks it from the table). The business could also be disrupted if a remote worker’s system goes down due to power outage, fire, or an extreme weather event.

Businesses in regulated industries must also store data safely on- or off-site. Medical, financial, or legal industry businesses face data storage, protection, and audit regulations. The fact that people are working from home doesn’t mean they get a pass from compliance concerns.

Backup Best Practices for Work from Home

If your teams use MS 365, that can help with business collaboration. No matter where employees are, they can edit and share documents and other files. Tracking version history from any device also helps with data currency.

Yet this is not the same as a data backup. Set up an automatic backup of all files created on remote laptops and computers. Ask employees to back up to the cloud using Microsoft’s OneDrive, Google Drive, or another alternative.

We recommend setting up backups to upload every night in the wee hours. Backing up takes a lot of internet bandwidth, and scheduling for 2 a.m. is less likely to interfere with someone else’s Netflix binge-watching or video game play.

It’s also a good idea to get an outsider’s perspective on remote backups. You may need to manually save files to appropriate locations or to set up policies to safeguard off-site files in case of hardware, software, or security issues.

You could take advantage of remote monitoring and management, and you can test backups remotely. This also improves recovery time, as IT can restore data without physical access.

Need help backing up work from home? We can help. Contact us today at (515)422-1995.

What Not to Do on a Work Computer

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Working from home has its advantages but can also blur the line between professional and personal time. Plus, employees may grow more relaxed about what they do on their work computer while remote. This article shares things employees should avoid doing on work computers, whether remote or in the office.

What to avoid doing when working remotely

Log in to an unprotected network

Working outside the office means you are more mobile. If you have a business laptop, you could decide to work one day in a coffee shop and the next in a public park. But in doing so, never connect to public Wi-Fi. This is an unencrypted network. Hackers can position themselves to compromise your computer.

If you absolutely must use a public network, add a layer of protection by using a virtual private network. This can help shield your browsing from anyone monitoring your online activity.

Save personal files

You spend so much time on the work computer, and you want to get a few personal things done during the day. You might even start saving personal files on the computer. Maybe you created a “my stuff” folder on the desktop.

This isn’t a good idea, because personal data could get automatically backed up to the cloud with the work files. Cloud backup is good practice for the business, but now you’re losing control of your personal information. Plus, if you leave the job, you lose access to that computer and those personal files.

Let family and friends surf the Web

Working from home changes the office environment. People want to look something up, or kids need to submit schoolwork online. And your work computer is right there! Why shouldn’t they use it?

This could expose proprietary business data or sensitive information. You may think “my 10-year-old won’t know what that spreadsheet says.” Yet, especially in a regulated industry, you could be compromising compliance.

What to avoid doing when in the office

Stream personal entertainment

You have a break, or things are slow, so you decide to catch up on your favorite TV show at work. What’s the harm?

In fact, you could be making it more difficult for your colleagues to do their work. Streaming takes up bandwidth, and there is only a set amount available to your business. So, while you’re laughing at a sitcom, others are struggling. Colleagues could drop from video calls or wait longer to download important files.

Click on unrecognized links or download attachments from unknown parties

This one is well-known. It’s up there with not using simple access credentials such as “password” or “letmein.” Be wary of what links or attachments you click on or download. Cybercriminals constantly leverage human error to gain illicit access to business networks. Don’t be the weak link in your company’s security posture.

Also, avoid visiting non-work-related websites. You are more likely to visit a site that harbors malware if you are surfing the Web for personal use at work.

Download software without first asking IT

You might have a preferred way of doing things, but the business computers don’t have the software you’re familiar with. Deciding to download it to your own computer seems safe enough. It could be a well-known app or piece of software. It’s not like one of those shady downloads from the point above.

Yet downloading software to a work computer can cause problems for the IT team, as they don’t know what’s working on the systems. There could be upgrades or system updates you miss that create a vulnerability. You could also, again, risk noncompliance.

These six things should be avoided if you’re using a work computer. It doesn’t matter where you’re working, you still need to be thinking of cybersecurity and productivity for you and your colleagues.

Need help knowing what your employees are doing with work computers on- or off-site? A managed service provider can help. Learn more about remote monitoring and other helpful tools. Contact us today at (515)422-1995.

Outsourcing to an MSP: Custom-size Your Partnership

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When it comes to business technology, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Managed service providers (MSPs) know this firsthand. That’s why you’ll find they make it easy to partner with them for different levels of outsourced IT. This article outlines the three tiers of MSP outsourcing typically available.

Small and mid-sized businesses share many challenges. They need to manage resources, follow regulations, and combat cyberthreats. At the same time, they grapple with constant changes (e.g. growing workforce mobility). Yet for all these commonalities, the technology used in each business can vary, and so too can the level of in-house expertise to manage and maintain IT.

So, many businesses turn to MSPs to get to know their IT infrastructure. The MSP can act as an IT watchdog, offer specific value-added services, or replace an in-house IT team.

MSP as IT Watchdog

This level of MSP engagement is for the business that wants expert backup support. The MSP watches over the business infrastructure and makes sure everything runs smoothly.

The MSP will use remote monitoring to keep tabs on the IT environment. They won’t make any changes if an issue arises – that’s up to the business – but they’ll help detect concerns to avoid any business disruption.

Many businesses don’t have the personnel for around-the-clock IT monitoring. This basic level of MSP service is a good way to track critical networks, systems, and databases 24/7/365.

MSP’s Menu of Services

MSPs also offer a menu of value-added services on top of the monitoring. The added tasks outsourced can depend on your expertise, budget, and desire to be hands-on with IT.

Value-add services MSPs offer include:

  • taking responsibility for installing software updates;
  • fixing security vulnerabilities as they are detected;
  • suggesting current, reliable, and secure technology solutions to improve your operational performance;
  • handling data backup and disaster recovery;
  • serving as your IT help desk for employees.

Partnering with the MSP for these services can save the business time and money. Consider data backup: The MSP may have its own data centers for all its clients, which might mean a better rate on essential data backup thanks to economies of scale.

MSP as IT Team

Other businesses can benefit from handing over all IT to a trusted MSP. For one thing, this saves the business from having to recruit, train, and keep its own IT team in a tight labor market.

The MSP continues to remotely monitor and manage the IT infrastructure, but they now have full responsibility. It’s not a matter of picking from the services available on the a la carte menu above. All those tasks are the MSPs responsibility.

Many internal IT teams are reactive, as they don’t have the bandwidth to act otherwise. Yet with an MSP in place of an overwhelmed IT staff, you gain a proactive partner. The MSP secures applications and networks, manages mobility, and handles any incidents. They keep your business running by avoiding disruptions leading to revenue loss, customer churn, and reputation damage.

Putting an MSP in charge of IT can concern some business owners who are reluctant to give up control, but an MSP brings the benefits of specialized experience with technology (and, ideally, your industry). They have the tools to provide data analytics, improve cybersecurity and continually better your business.

An MSP Partnership to Suit You

On any of these three levels, you want to work with an MSP that will become an extension of your business. The right MSP becomes a trusted partner looking out for your business’s best interests. Contact us today at (515)422-1995.

What You Need to Know about Security Testing

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You want to keep your IT in top shape. Your business technology supports both your productivity and profitability. You don’t want to be dealing with downtime. You also want to avoid running afoul of any industry regulations or standards. But how does a business gauge IT fitness? That’s where IT audits, security assessments and penetration testing come in.

First, understand that IT audits and security assessments are different things. Both are important to your business and its risk management practices. Yet they have distinct goals.

An IT audit evaluates if your business is meeting regulations or guidelines. A third party well versed in your industry’s technology best practices does the audit. It checks your technology processes, control systems, and data procedures and policies. All against standards established by government or industry associations.

Many industries need an external audit for certification. For example, merchants need to follow the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. A Report on Compliance (ROC) from an auditor details how cardholder data is protected.

The IT auditors have deep knowledge of the guidelines. They are going to dig into the finer points of your IT environment. Their audit identifies any shortcomings and gives you recommendations on how to improve. Failing to meet standards in the audit, though, can lead to compliance issues. That’s why security assessments are a good idea too.

The Value of Security Assessments

The security assessment can be done internally or with the help of an IT expert. Of course, where there are standards or regulations, there will be overlap. The security assessment determines what you are doing well and could be doing better.

This is a proactive step to identify and fix any deficiencies. Consistent security assessments provide benchmarks and prepare for the rigorous IT audit.

The assessment’s high-level look at security should follow any major business change. It can help determine if there are new risk factors.

Other Security Services for SMBs

You’ll also likely hear about vulnerability assessments and penetration testing. These are two more security services that are often confused. Like the two above, though, they have differences.

The vulnerability assessment is a component of a security assessment, but the difference is that a vulnerability scan is automated, and a security assessment has parts that require manual investigation.

A vulnerability assessment scans the business network for any security weaknesses. The best results let you know what vulnerabilities are the highest priority.

Penetration testing takes this to another level. Professionals experienced in circumventing security defenses do this testing. This testing attempts to exploit the vulnerability assessment’s weaknesses. This lets your business see where it is genuinely at risk of unauthorized network access.

Typically, the vulnerability assessment is done more often. The more involved penetration testing is more likely an annual event. The good thing about the latter is that you’ll also get a report with recommended remediations.

Get a broader and deeper understanding of your business technology. Any of these security services can help. Our IT experts can review your current setup. We’ll also recommend the best next steps to bolster your cyber security. Call us now at (515)422-1995.

Top Things to Replace in Your Old School Office

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You may be in the “if ain’t broke why fix it” camp. Yet even if some of your outdated office tools and technology aren’t actually broken, they could be crying out for an update (if only you spoke filing cabinet, you’d know!). Here are the top things we see that businesses could upgrade to improve productivity and add security.

First, let’s start with those traditional landline phones. Sure, they’ve done their job well for decades, but switching to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has many advantages. Don’t overlook the benefits of:

  • streamlining voice and data services to save on bills and long distance;
  • employees using VoIP communications wherever they have access to an internet connection;
  • accessing features such as call waiting, screening, recording, auto attendant, and voicemail transcription;
  • gaining greater flexibility to scale up and down as needed so you don’t need to pay for phone lines you don’t need;
  • integrating calls with customer relationship management software for better data insights.

Saving, Sharing, and Revising Documents

Next up, those filing cabinets. For one, they may be an eyesore, plus, they’re taking up valuable real estate in your space. Today, many printers allow you to scan many pages at once and easily scan documents into content management software.

Moving to online document management also opens you up to many productivity gains. The software often supports optical character recognition (OCR), which makes scanned content searchable. Plus, the documents are available online, where and when employees need them. This is helpful in remote or hybrid work setups, but it also helps ensure you have a backup of critical documents if disaster strikes.

If you’re still filing documents in cabinets, you may have paper-based processes, too. Forms and folders get passed around for different people to sign off at various stages. This makes it easy for workflow to bottleneck or, worse, for documentation to get lost in the physical shuffle from place to place.

In a step up from this, a business might at least move documents around via email attachments. Everyone gets a chance to see the document and make comments. Then, some poor soul takes all responses and correlates them for the next round of revisions.

Replace these old-school approaches with online business tools built to enable collaboration. Microsoft 365, for example, allows people to work on documents at the same time. There are no more worries about version control, and everyone can track the file’s progress.

Enabling Remote/Hybrid Work

Cloud-based collaboration software not only helps with document exchange. Microsoft 365 also allows users to communicate efficiently via the Teams channels. They can also start video meetings, share screens, and co-work on files and PowerPoints. Plus, integrating Outlook contacts and calendars helps efficiency and scheduling.

All this helps support employees working remotely or coming into the office only some of the time. With online documents and databases, everyone can get work done without coming on-site. Plus, VoIP business calls forward directly to phones or laptops for seamless communication.

Put Away the Post-its, Too

One last thing we’d love to see people replace in their offices? Those Post-its with handwritten passwords stuck to the bottom of computer monitors or oh-so-stealthily under the paperclip organizer in their top desk drawers.

We all have many passwords, and we understand the impulse to write them down, but a safer strategy is to use a password manager. A password manager stores, generates, and manages passwords in an encrypted database. A password management solution – such as Keeper, LastPass, or LogMeOnce – is more cyber secure than that sticky notes.

Of course, every work environment is unique, and you might have some other outdated office technology we haven’t mentioned here. Need help bringing your business tools up to date? Our IT experts are here to help. We can review business practices and suggest the best solutions for your needs. Contact us today at (515)422-1995.

Windows 11 Is Coming: Should You Upgrade?

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Microsoft’s next version of Windows is being rolled out this year, and businesses are now wondering if the upgrade is right for their needs. This article looks at the changes and helps you weigh up your options.

Windows 11 simplifies Microsoft’s operating system and user interface. The new release is still only at the preview stage, but we know there’s a new startup sound and Start menu. Additionally, snap controls allow users to resize and reposition windows on their desktop. Microsoft also touts its content personalization tools and many widgets to choose from. Plus, an app store rebuild makes it easier to browse, install, and update applications.

For business, though, the big question is whether the upgrade makes sense. The full launch of the software is due in late 2021. In the meantime, those already using Windows 10 are wondering why they should upgrade. After all, Microsoft is promising to support the Windows 10 OS until October 14, 2025.

The Appeal of the Windows 11 Upgrade

Many advance reviews of Windows 11 focus on the new look of the desktop operating system, but there are also functionality changes to enhance productivity and security.

Employees today collaborate virtually and are always looking for ways to improve efficiency. Windows 11 aims to help by offering a new taskbar that integrates Teams right into the desktop. This simplifies multitasking and makes it easier for users to jump into a group chat or team meeting. Users can also mute/unmute or start presenting right from the desktop.

While remote working has grown, so too has cybersecurity risk. With more people seeking to access software from home, cyberattacks are rampant. Windows 11 embraces a Zero Trust framework. This validates both user identity and the platform to better safeguard access, making cybersecurity a default rather than an add-on. It offers hardware-based isolation, encryption, and malware protection with hybrid work in mind.

Proceed with Caution

The productivity and security enhancements are appealing, but they demand more advanced hardware. Windows 11 requires:

  • a compatible 64-bit processor;
  • a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 chip (to help protect encryption keys, user credentials, and data);
  • 64 GB or more available storage;
  • 4 GB RAM;
  • high-definition (720p) display.

The upgrade is free (right now) to those with Microsoft 365 licenses. Yet, buying new machines could prove costly.

Businesses can manually check device compatibility, or run diagnostic tests such as the DirectX diagnostic tool (DxDiag) or the PC Health Check App, or hire an IT consultant to assess systems (and needs) before making the decision to invest in new devices.

The move to Windows 11 could also impact other applications the business relies upon. For example, Microsoft has moved away from Internet Explorer and its ActiveX-based applications, which means employees may be using products and services that will be impacted.

Ultimately, Windows 11 has its benefits, yet there are drawbacks to consider, too. Before making an upgrade decision, contact your managed service provider. We’ll check you have the necessary hardware, and that your applications will remain supported.

We can help also with your Windows 11 deployment. Windows Autopilot or Microsoft Intune cloud and automation can help, but working with IT experts can also cut downtime. Contact us at (515)422-1995 for help today!

A Good Internal IT Person Is Hard to Find

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Technology is everywhere, yet we don’t always understand it. When things go wrong or get challenging, we turn to IT Services for help, but it’s becoming difficult for businesses to hire internal IT support staff. Here’s why and what to do about it.

The IT talent shortage has been an issue for more than a decade. A majority (56%) of leaders globally bemoaned the lack of tech-savvy employees in 2011. By the 2019 PWC report, as many as 79% expressed concerned about the talent shortage. In a separate KPMG CIO Survey, anxiety over tech talent was at its highest level since 2008. The pandemic spiked demand, and now there’s more remote technology and work from home system access to manage.

What Is Prompting the IT Talent Shortage?

Businesses know that they need IT help, and a shortage is nothing new. So, why does it continue to be a problem?

  • Technology is evolving fast, which makes finding skilled workers more difficult.
  • Baby boomers are retiring, which leaves employers scrambling to fill their roles.
  • Current IT workers aren’t adding artificial intelligence, machine learning, or other advanced tech skills.
  • Gender gaps in the tech industry narrow the talent pool.
  • Data scientists, software developers, and security and cloud experts have many options. Every industry has a need.

Employees need help troubleshooting temperamental devices, and businesses want people to setup technology, manage cybersecurity, and develop applications and software solutions, not to mention the know-how needed to get a company running again in the event of unforeseen downtime.

Finding the Best IT Fit for Your Business

IT recruits expect a competitive salary and benefits, plus a flexible, welcoming environment. To encourage professional development, companies are focusing on internal training. Microsoft now offers a professional degree program to develop data scientists. By 2025, Amazon wants to upskill 100,000 employees in software engineering, the cloud, and machine learning.

A lack of technical expertise within the business further complicates IT hiring. After all, it’s difficult to hire someone when you don’t understand what you’re looking for.

Many businesses also make the mistake of hiring for current technology needs without considering where they want to be with technology in the near and long-term future. They hire someone great right now who lacks skills to support technical evolution. That means spending more time and money later finding a new resource as the business grows.

The solution? Partner with a managed service provider (MSP). Get the benefit of working with a skilled IT team without having to hire each individual. The MSP gets to know your business needs and makes scaling technology up and down much easier. When you need a new approach, they can suggest the best option for your business practices. Plus, they have the staff available to help you along the way.

Finding qualified IT resources for your internal team requires resources. Collaborate with a trusted MSP partner to fill a tech skills gap; avoid having to recruit and hire in a competitive market; plus, enjoy ready access to the technical know-how your business needs today. Call us at (515)422-1995.

Signs You Aren’t Budgeting Enough for IT

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Generally, we like to make the argument that nothing about your small business is too small. We do say it a lot in relation to cybersecurity - no size of business is immune. Yet, there is the chance your IT budget is too small. Consider these indicators that you might need to invest more in your IT.

Every business wants to be cost-conscious. Saving money in one area can make funds available to expand, develop new products, or pay people more. That all makes sense.

Yet technology is the lifeblood of business success today. When you have the best tools available, you gain productivity, efficiency, and transparency. Plus, your people are likely to be happier, which helps retention, too. At the same time, with cyberthreats on the rise globally, IT isn't the best area in which to flex your thrift muscles.

How can you know you need to pay more now to avoid spending an exorbitant amount later? Look for these warning signs.

Employees Are Losing Time to Tech

The right hardware and software makes employees' jobs easier. Robotic process automation can improve workflow to avoid effort spent on mundane tasks. But people struggling with slow, outdated technology are wasting valuable time.

If your people have to find workarounds to get that project done on deadline, that's only a short-term fix. It is frustrating for them, which impacts morale and retention. Plus, the band-aid approach to getting the job done can backfire in the long run.

There are Important Things You Can't Do

You may be putting off upgrades to save on your IT budget. Yet in your effort to spend less on tech, you're undermining your business interests. You put off an operating system upgrade because your current system is working fine, except that choice could make you more vulnerable to cyberattack. You recognize the value of integrated customer relationship management (CRM) software but don't want to splurge on that valuable tool. Still, you don't want to save money on IT spend at the expense of business needs right now.

Customer Experience Is Suffering

You may not immediately connect IT budget and customer satisfaction, yet consumers today want convenience and personal attention. These can be difficult for the overworked human employee to do. Providing improved data and analytics makes it easier to offer individual attention. Plus, chatbots and mobile apps can transform the customer experience, because they save time and effort.

You're Struggling to Meet Industry Standards

Businesses face different industry standards to manage and protect personal and proprietary data. There can be requirements for backup practices, infrastructure testing, monitoring threats, and more. This can make the job of IT more complicated, but not spending to safeguard data or intellectual property risks a financial hit.

Improving operational efficiencies is a priority, of course, yet security spend needs to part of the IT budget, too. Address risk exposure with recurring risk assessments and a strategic security framework.

Better Budgeting for IT

Many businesses looking to bounce back from the pandemic are struggling with tight budgets. Still, technology can improve remote work, increase productivity, and enhance customer satisfaction.

Not sure where to direct that IT spending? Our IT experts can get to know your business and its objectives. We'll identify cost savings and suggest transformations for the best return on investment.

Call us today at (515)422-1995.

Do You Need Document Management?

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The employee surrounded by teetering stacks of paper is less common today. What with the move to digital technology, we’re all doing more online. Yet some businesses remain true to traditional processes, passing documents around the office. You could be paying for this in lost productivity or worse. You may need document management. Check out the common signs of trouble and learn what you can do about them.

Trouble Sign #1: You are losing business due to slow work processes

It may not even be this severe. Maybe you’re not actually losing that client, but your customers are not happy with the time it takes your staff to get back to them. They call with what they see as a simple question, but your people need to hang up to find the right folder on their desk or look through filing cabinets.

Trouble Sign #2: Conflicting information is causing problems

You have digitized some work processes, but you have people who still prefer to do things the old way. You wanted to be flexible, yet document control is a problem. It’s difficult to know who has the most current copy of a file. Plus, when someone enters inaccurate data, it takes time to notice, because various documents are floating around.

Trouble Sign #3: Inefficiencies are costing your business time and money

Exchange of information is essential for business success. You could be a one-person shop doing every task. Otherwise, you need to know what is happening end-to-end in the business. When you’re relying on manual processes, it is more difficult to track:

  • orders received;
  • where inventory is in the supply chain;
  • when orders ship;
  • current inventory levels;
  • what customers are saying to customer service;
  • which customers get discounts and which don’t pay on time;
  • where a document is within a multi-step process;
  • what employees are responsible for what tasks.

A miscommunication or lack of communication between departments wastes valuable resources. According to Google, executives waste 30% of their time looking for information. With what you’re paying top brass, you want them to do more with their valuable time.

Document Management Advantages

A document management system allows you to easily scan, capture, and retrieve documents. When a vendor calls, your employee can search a key phrase, email, or phone number to bring up the correct file.

A document management system can also streamline workflow. When sales submits a contract, underwriting can receive an alert that it’s time for them to take over. Once that’s done, the document is forwarded on to the next party. Throughout, everyone works with the same file, and all revisions and comments can be recorded and saved along the way.

Advanced document management software can also automate workflow to speed your processes. Additionally, the artificial intelligence engine running the software can confirm accuracy. You might configure the software to pre-populate fields. Some document management tools even check forms to confirm completion.

Automating document management also gives you access to data analytics. You can identify human bottlenecks and recognize employees who are particularly efficient. Monitoring documents can help identify trends, which can help with prioritizing business improvements.

With online document management, you can save on office space, too. Instead of keeping hard copies in file cabinets or off-site storage, digitally archive relevant materials.

That digital archive also supports compliance and can save your business from legal action. You don’t have to worry about being unable to provide the proper document when it’s needed. Document software systems provide a complete audit trail. The software might even generate automated notifications when sensitive information is shared.

Looking to add document management to your digital solutions? We can help your business find the best system to meet its needs. Work with our IT experts to find document management to make your work smooth and easy. Call us today at (515)422-1995.

Weighing Software-as-a-Service and Managed Service Providers

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There are many acronyms in the IT world. Two common ones are SaaS and MSP, which stand for software-as-a-service and managed service provider, respectively. The bigger question is what the differences are between these two and why you would need one or the other. Here’s help.

What’s SaaS?

Your business may already be relying on SaaS. Some of the more widely used platforms include:

  • Microsoft 365
  • Salesforce
  • HubSpot
  • MailChimp
  • Shopify
  • SurveyMonkey
  • Canva
  • Slack

SaaS companies are booming. Businesses are relying more and more on these technologies, and SaaS spending has grown 50% in two years. Why?

Software as a Service provides customers with convenience. The companies develop, manage, and update a product to support teams such as marketing, sales, or customer service. The SaaS platform will promise greater efficiency, improved productivity, increased transparency, and more. These tools automate and streamline processes to drive revenue.

Customers typically pay for a cloud-based subscription fee. In return, they get lower-cost services, reduced time to implementation, and scalability.

What’s an MSP?

Managed services support software, as well as your networking and hardware infrastructure. The MSP has human experts to install software, upgrade hardware, patch systems, and track security. The MSP provides all-around support for the business’s technology. This third-party firm gets to know you to help keep your business competitive.

The MSP tackles all sorts of tasks behind the scenes for your business. When your business outsources its IT to an MSP, you gain efficiencies and expertise. You are not giving up control but adding a partner to focus on time-consuming, complicated, and repetitive tasks. Meanwhile, your people can concentrate on driving innovation and generating revenue.

Businesses reap many rewards from working with an MSP. These experts can often find cost savings. Most MSPs charge a predictable monthly fee that’s easy to budget around. The enhanced expertise can also help ensure security and compliance. The MSP will also have the know-how to recommend the tools your business can enjoy most.

It doesn’t have to be either-or

Understand that you don’t have to choose between SaaS and an MSP – the two work well together.

MSPs can help you deploy and get the most out of your SaaS. In fact, an MSP can make sure your SaaS solutions work well together. They can help identify features on one platform that you’re not using. This could lead to you dropping an underutilized subscription to another SaaS.

Going on your own with SaaS means relying on each company’s IT support or asking your own in-house IT people to get to know the ins and outs of many different platforms. When you have an MSP, you pay that single provider for help instead of having to spend on tech support for each SaaS. Also, if you have a security issue, the MSP will alert you and act to cut the damage and repair the problem. The SaaS manufacturer doesn’t have the same responsibility.

Before you even get SaaS, the MSP can help guide your purchase. Your business may think it needs Slack because everyone else seems to be using it. But if you already have Teams, that could be unnecessary. The MSP learns about your business and how you work to help determine what SaaS’s are right for you.

The latest-and-greatest SaaS will come and go. Your MSP can remain the same as your business changes and evolves. Providing continuity of service, they will keep an eye out for the new SaaS you can adopt. The SaaS company wants to grow its customer base and evolve its platform, and the MSP’s job is to help your business succeed, with or without SaaS.

Contact us at (515)422-1995 today to enjoy the many benefits of working with an MSP.

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