Can you recall your childhood bicycle adventures? The exhilaration of pedaling away, the wind in your face, and the joy of freedom. Yet, those moments could halt abruptly with a flat tire. If you were resourceful, you’d fix it yourself, patching the inner tube with glue and rubber to get back on your adventure.
Today, as a successful small business owner, everything flows smoothly until a server crashes or your network falters. Like that innertube, you’re still following a patch-as-you-go strategy for technical issues. It may work temporarily, but too many leaks can disrupt your business.
For various reasons, many small businesses stick to the Break/Fix model for their technical needs. But is it the safest way to ensure your business’s uninterrupted operation? Perhaps, until a certain growth point, but when breakdowns outweigh fixes and budgets spiral out of control, it’s time to explore other options. Let’s delve into five reasons small businesses hesitate to embrace Managed IT Services contracts and propose solutions.
Cost
Naturally, the primary concern is cost. Some business owners struggle to justify a monthly fee, regardless of usage. Yet, it’s essential to recognize that the service is in constant use – from overnight software updates to continuous SPAM filtering and 24/7 system monitoring. Any breakdowns are swiftly resolved.
Trust
Placing trust in an unfamiliar entity is daunting. Your business’s workstations and network are its lifeblood, making it hard to entrust them to an unknown service provider. Ideally, seeking recommendations from friends or fellow business owners is wise. You can also conduct a quick Google or Yelp search to read reviews before making a decision.
Budget
You might think that “Budget” and “Cost” are synonymous, but the distinction lies in planning. Budgeting allows you to anticipate expenses, avoiding unexpected costs. With a Managed Services Provider, monthly and yearly costs can be budgeted, aiding in strategic planning for growth and expansion. Conversely, the Break/Fix model can lead to unforeseen expenses that jeopardize growth plans.
Urgency
In a business, prompt issue resolution is imperative to minimize downtime and revenue loss. Without a dedicated IT resource, you resort to internet searches for available technicians, often settling for an average or inexperienced one. In the urgency, you’re willing to pay any cost, but the bill may shock you later with hidden expenses like drive time and off-hour charges.
Managed Services Agreements cover these aspects, providing timely assistance from qualified technicians familiar with your business, and reducing unexpected costs.
Contracts
Entering into a long-term Managed Services contract can feel like a leap of faith. Apprehensions regarding service satisfaction and equipment ownership in HaaS (Hardware as a Service) agreements may arise. Fortunately, contract terms are negotiable. You can inquire about exit options in case of dissatisfaction, clarify concerns about hardware and software ownership, and, most importantly, exercise caution when signing with unfamiliar entities. Trust your business intuition to determine the right fit.
As a small business, initiating IT repairs and maintenance with a Break/Fix model is a sensible starting point. However, as your business expands, outsourcing services becomes a pragmatic choice. A reputable Managed Services Provider (MSP) evolves into your business partner, aiding growth and productivity. View it as a force multiplier, where your monthly investment buys back your time, fostering increased efficiency and growth potential. Let the MSP handle risk mitigation and cybersecurity updates while you focus on your core competency – running your business. Just as you wished for someone to fix those childhood bike flats, trust the experts to handle your IT concerns.
