Are you running a small or medium-sized business? There is no doubt that in today’s modern world, your IT systems are essential for your business operations. IT systems are the secure, reliable, scalable, and fast solutions needed to keep operations running smoothly. But with the increasingly complex cybersecurity threats you may encounter, a solution will be required to eliminate such risks.
Managed IT services providers are a proactive solution that can help you handle cyber threats. The managed IT industry is expected to experience a 1.57% growth rate between 2025 and 2030. But, what are managed IT services? Our article will look closely at these services and explore the many advantages they can bring to your business.
Managed IT: A Definition
Managed IT services involve outsourcing your IT operations and management to an experienced provider. The provider, known as a Managed Service Provider or (MSP) handles, maintains, monitors, and optimizes the IT infrastructure on behalf of your business – and this frees up time for your company to handle the functioning of the business. The services an MSP offers include:
Network Monitoring – When MSPs oversee the performance of the network and its security, they are completing network monitoring for your business. They can also remotely check the availability of devices on the network, monitor servers, and monitor applications.
Data Backups – A data backup service is a process that protects data by backing up and storing it on dedicated hardware. MSPs can automate this process to ensure your company does not need to back up its data manually.
Cybersecurity – In completing cybersecurity processes, Managed Service Providers monitor the system infrastructure. They can help your business respond to breaches in security and educate you on how to avoid them.
Cloud Services – MSPs can also manage your cloud environment and infrastructure, which involves monitoring the software, platforms, and computing capabilities of resources that operate over the internet.
When offering all of these services, MSPs avoid break/fix methods and embrace a managed IT model. While break/fix approaches are reactive and involve amending issues after they happen, managed IT is more proactive and works to prevent them before they begin.
Managed IT Benefits to Look Forward to as an SMB
So, what additional benefits do these services offer? Your SMB can look forward to the following advantages when you choose the right MSP:
Cost Predictability – You will not need to worry about surprise costs with an MSP. Many offer a flat-rate pricing model, which means you can plan your expenses and stick to your budget.
24/7 Support and Monitoring – With 24/7 support and monitoring, you can rest assured that any issues will be resolved proactively. For instance, if the system experiences a network outage, the MSP will notice this instantly and work to minimize downtime.
Expert, Niche Staff – In outsourcing managed IT services to MSPs, you can access the services of IT professionals who are certified to complete complex IT system maintenance. You will not need to hire in-house staff and pay them a full-time salary.
Scalability – You will be able to make changes to your managed IT services as your business grows with the help of a Managed Service Provider. For example, if you need to increase your cloud network resources, this can be arranged with an MSP.
Cybersecurity and Compliance with Regulations – Perhaps one of the more important services is the cybersecurity MSPs offer. It protects your company against data breaches and ensures your business’s data use aligns with industry regulations such as the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).
Exploring the Need for Managed IT as an SMB
But managed IT is also needed for SMBs for a few additional, specific reasons. Here’s why your small- or medium-sized business should consider managed IT services:
Growing Cyber Threats in Canada – Ransomware increased by 11% between 2021 and 2023, and 13% of businesses experienced this threat in 2023 according to StatCan. Additionally, more than 60% of SMEs have experienced a phishing attempt, typically through email. It’s with managed IT cybersecurity services that your business can avoid such breaches of security.
Remote and Hybrid Work Models – There’s a need for secure, flexible IT infrastructure, which is why MSPs are vital for success. They can help you establish a virtual private network (VPN), protect sensitive data with endpoint detection, and set up multifactor authentication to keep network services flexible and secure.
Need for Digital Transformation – Companies may feel under pressure to undergo a digital transformation and serve their clients with the latest technology, which MSPs can make possible. They can assist with the adoption of cloud computing technology, the automation of security measure tasks, and the automation of routine maintenance.
Indications You Might Need an MSP
You might need some of these services and, at the same time, not know whether managed IT services are ideal for you. How can you know if your company requires it? Here are some signs your SMB needs a managed IT partner.
Frequent Downtime
If you’re constantly experiencing downtime, this is a sign your business could really benefit from MSP support. As mentioned, MSPs reduce downtime with proactive monitoring services for networks, servers, security systems, and more. This can keep each of these systems online and ensure your business activity remains uninterrupted.
Overworked In-House IT Team
If you notice your in-house IT team is overworked, outsourcing some of the managed IT services to a managed IT team might be required. If you also notice your business lacks in-house expertise, or your team doesn’t have the niche experience to handle complex tasks such as cybersecurity approaches, managed IT services can help.
Concerns About Data Security or Cybersecurity
You might also be worried that your data or client data isn’t secure. Since this can cause issues in terms of regulation compliance with acts such as PIPEDA, it might be a sign that you require an MSP’s support. They can also help you put a disaster recovery plan in place if you have experienced a breach in security.
Ways to Choose the Right MSP
If you’ve decided to partner with an MSP, choosing one just requires asking the right questions and determining whether they have industry-specific IT knowledge.
Make sure you ask questions about their experience with small- and medium-sized businesses and with storing company data within the geographic borders of Canada (in line with Canadian data residency factors).
Determine the level of service your business will need and request a Service Level Agreement (SLA) that specifies the uptime and response time metrics. In the SLA, you should also find the consequences of failure to meet the agreed-upon services.
If you also look for local providers, your MSP will likely understand the regional needs of your business.
Stay Competitive with Strategic IT Support
The benefits of managed IT are wide-ranging, helping you gain 24/7 monitoring support, minimize cyber threats, scale your resources as the business grows, comply with regulations, and more.
It’s worth assessing your IT setup today so that you can worry less about downtime, cybersecurity issues, a lack of resources, and challenges with digital transformation. Tech Masters is a managed IT services provider that can help. Arrange a consultation with us today. Stay competitive, achieve business goals, maintain business continuity, and remain productive with our strategic IT support.
