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Managed IT for Small and Medium Businesses

As a small or medium-sized business owner, you likely understand the importance of investing in IT infrastructure. In today's digital age, IT plays a crucial role in the success of any business. However, investing in IT is not enough. You need to ensure that you're maximizing the value of your IT investment.

One way to do this is by working with a managed IT service provider. Managed IT service providers offer a range of IT support services to help businesses achieve their goals. Here are some ways in which a managed IT service provider can help maximize the value of your IT investment:

Managed IT vs. Outsourced IT illustrative Image

Nowadays the terms “managed IT services” and “outsourcing” are used interchangeably, which can be done, but is a mistake most of the time. Some believe that the first term is just a fancy way of saying the latter, but it’s nothing like that.

Both hiring a MSP and outsourcing has its time and its place and will greatly depend on your in-house resources and your own situation. In this article we want to focus on the vast difference between Managed IT and IT outsourcing so you have a better understanding o0f both concepts and can make a funded decision.

 

IT security risks

Small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) are by no means immune against cyber security threats. On the contrary, they may even be more at risk as cyber criminals often see them as softer targets because they may lack the robust cyber security measures and infrastructures to protect valuable information. 

Many SME owners feel vulnerable to attacks targeted at their networks, but worry about the cost of finding suitable security solutions. 

The first step to take is to inform yourself of the common types of cyber security threats out there and to establish how to protect your company against them. What can you do yourself and when do you need to ask for help?

Cyber attacks including phishing and ransomware operators are on the rise – leaving many businesses vulnerable to costly security breaches. Stolen data, a loss of productivity and reputational damage are some of the potential fall-outs resulting from cyber attacks. 

Home-working during COVID has led to new opportunities for phishers as a result of the more insecure internet connections of remote employees − leading to criminals taking advantage of unpatched systems and architecture weaknesses. An increase in cloud computing also leads to misconfigurations and weaknesses. 

Managet IT Service Team Working

Thinking of upscaling or ramping up your IT services? This is usually the point where business owners have to choose whether to boost their in-house IT capabilities or opt for managed IT support. 

This is one of those important “crossroad” decisions faced by every growing business at some point in its development journey, and getting it wrong can be costly.  

A third option is a hybrid or co-managed approach which includes a combination of in-house and external IT skills to fulfil your business technology needs. 

SME Team at work

Cloud-based services, virtualization and automation have made the delivery of managed IT support more affordable, enabling SMEs to use these managed services to reduce risks, focus on core business and explore new digital technologies. 

As SMEs continue to spend more on IT to embrace digital advances, they are faced with limited in-house capabilities, complexity and high costs. This is where managed IT support could add real value by enabling them to have the systems infrastructure and skills they lack in-house. 

Tech Support Decorative Image

How to bulletproof your company and plan for growth is top of mind for most business leaders and owners as we enter another potentially volatile year. With technology services becoming ever more important in COVID-19 times, investing in a managed IT support partner is the smart way to ensure you hit your 2021 business goals. 

IT Services For Small Companies

By the time small business owners realize they need IT support, it’s often too late as they already face a costly security threat or technical issue that could have been avoided. Smart small business owners realize it is better to be safe than sorry and that investing in IT services for small businesses will save them money, time and sleepless nights in the long run.

  • “The entire Crimson IT team is made up of high level professionals that ensure my organization is operating at peak performance at all times. I would highly recommend them for any company.”

    Michael Barker \ CEO & Managing Director \ Barker Pacific Group

  • “Crimson IT is the firm I turn to whenever I, or my clients, need IT help. Not only are they very professional, they are sincere, honest people who I trust implicitly to do things right. I have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone.”

    Kevin Matthews \ President \ Noble Accounting

  • “I appreciate Crimson IT’s exceptionally high customer care standards and strong commitment to quality.  I can always count on them to be responsive as issues arise as well as be proactive in recommending technology that will support our future IT needs.”

    Suzanne Holley \ President & CEO \ Downtown Center Business Improvement District

  • “Crimson IT has been instrumental in helping us streamline our IT needs — from day-to-day management to more careful planning. They understand the complexities of large organizations, are extremely responsive and are equipped to help us through just about any our company’s requirements.”

    Joe Dykstra \ CEO \ Westwood Financial

  • “As a technologically-driven company, security and efficiency are at the top of our priority list. Crimson IT's team is extremely responsive and resourceful and they have been a huge value add for us. We would recommend them to any company looking for IT services.”

    Chris Rising \ Founder & President \ Rising Realty Partners