What Does “Full Service IT” Typically Include?
Technology is the backbone of most business operations today, and a strong focus on IT is necessary for any company to remain competitive. However, not all businesses have the resources to build an entire team of IT experts or invest in infrastructure. This is why small and midsize businesses should consider outsourcing their technology needs to a full service IT company.
What Does “Full Service IT” Mean?
Most IT companies give you a list of their services and let you pick the ones you want to pay for. With a fully managed IT service, your provider offers everything you need to maintain your IT infrastructure. They also provide continued technical support to resolve tech issues related to computers, mobile devices, networks, and business software.
Outsourcing all your IT needs to a provider is more attractive than hiring an in-house team. You can eliminate the cost of recruiting, onboarding, and maintaining full-time IT employees. What’s more, your provider can provide scalable infrastructure and software solutions to keep up with business growth while keeping costs down.
What Does “Full Service IT” Typically Include?
Each organization has its own unique technology needs. However, you can tailor a full-service package to your specific business requirements. Let’s look at the common services you can expect when signing up for a fully managed IT service.
Data Management and Cloud Storage Solutions
Compliance with consumer privacy laws is important for protecting a business’ reputation and avoiding non-compliance penalties. Managed IT services can provide data management solutions to ensure all data is stored safely and handled securely. Working with experts also ensures that access to sensitive data is restricted to authorized personnel to reduce the risk of a breach.
Outsourced IT also includes the provision and management of cloud services to eliminate paper handling and mitigate manual data handling. Cloud-based solutions can lower the cost of on-site data storage, streamline operations, enhance scalability, and allow remote access. With proper data management and cloud solutions, you can improve business efficiency and maintain compliance with data privacy regulations.
24/7 Tech Support
Technology challenges like issues with software, hardware, and network connectivity can hurt business operations. Sometimes, such issues can even drive customers away and earn you negative feedback. A full-service company can provide round-the-clock assistance to address any issues or concerns related to all IT infrastructure elements. Access to 24/7 support can streamline operations, improve customer service, and boost your brand’s reputation.
Network Security and Risk Mitigation
Network security is crucial to preventing cybercriminals from accessing valuable data and sensitive enterprise information. Unfortunately, cyber risks are skyrocketing every year, and criminals are coming up with new attack tactics. In 2022 alone, 83% of companies experienced more than one data breach.
A fully managed service offers network security and risk mitigation solutions to combat cyberattacks. One effective solution against malware and data breaches is the Windows Defender Application Guard, which isolates the Microsoft Edge browser in a container separate from the host machine. When a user visits a malicious site, the host computer is protected, and the attacker cannot access enterprise data. For more information, click here.
Backup and Disaster Recovery
Natural disasters, cyberattacks, and system failure are common causes of data loss in businesses. Unfortunately, data loss can cause sales disruptions and costly downtime for the company. Data loss resulting from a breach or cyberattack can expose the business to lawsuits, fines, and reputational damage.
A full-service package includes robust backup and disaster recovery solutions. This entails creating regular backups of important data using cloud-based solutions. The provider will also lay out protocols and procedures for quick data recovery to prevent business disruption during difficult times.
Software Installations and Upgrades
Running your business on outdated software can put you at risk of security breaches, data loss, and lost productivity. According to a survey conducted by Microsoft, over 90% of consumers are willing to take their business elsewhere if they perceive a company to be using outdated technology. Staying on top of software updates isn’t great just for security purposes; it can boost customer retention.
Full-service packages include software installations, upgrades, and other software management services. The IT experts handle the configuration and upgrade of applications to ensure they are up-to-date with the latest patches and security upgrades. This helps optimize software performance and eliminate vulnerabilities.
IT Consulting and Advisory Services
When you fully outsource IT services, you can expect consulting and advisory services from your provider. The consultants will analyze your current technology landscape, identify areas requiring improvement, and recommend solutions aligned with your business goals.
They will also offer insights on IT trends and best practices, allowing your company to make informed technology decisions and remain competitive. As your business grows, IT experts will continually analyze your evolving technology needs and provide scalable solutions to support the growth.
Fully managed IT is an all-inclusive package that caters to all your technology needs. It provides a holistic approach to tech support with the aim of promoting efficiency, cutting costs, and boosting scalability. Once you entrust your IT needs to the experts, you can comfortably focus on other core business operations.
