Small business owners take on a lot of responsibility outside of the function of your business. Between accounting, marketing, and handling your own IT – the background tasks can really build up and it might be time to bring on a professional. Whether you’re just starting out, expanding or planning for the future of your business, hiring a managed service provider can help make sure that you have the right technology to reach your goals, and offer expert advice and support along
Read on to learn the top 5 ways a managed service provider can support your small business.
1. Backups
When was the last time you backed up? 2 weeks ago? 2 months ago? Last year? The only thing worse than being hacked is realizing that you don’t have backups for the files you’ve lost. It’s estimated that 60% of small businesses who fall victim to cyberattacks go out of business within 6 months. Don’t let this happen to you. A managed service provider can help you plan and execute a backup strategy, like automatic backups to a virtual server, giving you peace of mind that your important files are safe and ready when you need them.
2. Standardization
Whether your team is growing, or you just need an organizational overhaul, standardization is right up there with backups as one of the most important IT practices for small businesses. Standardization creates easy access to things like equipment and software subscription information, who to contact for support, and service provider information for things like phone and internet. With good standardization, all your important IT info will be organized and backed up, eliminating the fear of information loss due to staffing changes. A managed service provider will guide you through the process of standardization to help you establish solid IT practices for your business needs.
3. Regular health checkups
43% of online attacks are now aimed at small businesses and the best way to prevent an attack is to address weaknesses before cyber criminals get the chance to exploit them. Things like weak security protocols, failing or out-of-date equipment and unapproved software could lead to costly losses and fines for your small business. A managed service provider can help prevent issues and strengthen your defense by performing regular health checks on your system, identifying weaknesses early and correcting them before problems arise.
4. Training Employees on best practices
The human element is one of the greatest opportunities for loss in any small business. That’s why proper security training and protocols are one of the best investments you can make for your employees. A managed service provider is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to preventing data breaches and can help train your team on the best way to protect themselves—and your business. Managed service providers go a step beyond anti-virus software, proactively monitoring your system and guiding you on how to avoid common tricks and minimize damage if you become compromised.
5. Equipment and vendor management
If you’re relying on big box stores for your technology purchases, you might be spending more money for equipment that doesn’t quite fit your needs. While store employees are experts on their inventory, a managed service provider’s focus is understanding your specific business needs and finding the exact solutions to fit them. Managed service providers spend years cultivating relationships with trusted technology vendors, allowing us to get better deals on the same products and pass those savings onto you. We can also manage your software subscriptions and technology services like phone, internet, and POS systems to make sure everything is working efficiently.
Whether you’re actively growing or just setting goals for the future of your business, working with a managed service provider can give you peace of mind knowing your IT systems are safe, efficient, and not costing you more than they need to.
Language Tech Solutions has more than 20 years’ experience as a managed service provider for corporate offices, design firms, restaurants, hospitality and more. Get in touch or give us a call at
(737) 236-0091 to schedule a free consultation and learn how managed IT services can work for you.