How Managed IT Services Can Guide Your Organization Through IT Hardware Change
Digital transformation: It’s not just about software. Updating your organization’s hardware is a necessity, and it can also be a major pain point. Not only does your IT team need to put time towards planning and implementation, but your employees will almost invariably experience some level of disruption. Hardware management is expensive, takes longer than you’ve scheduled, and frustrates your employees.
But it also can’t be avoided.
A managed IT service provider (MSP) can make the process of maintaining and upgrading your hardware easier – and, in so doing, they can make sure that you consistently have a technological edge. Here are a few important ways in which a managed service provider can guide your organization through its next hardware change.
MSPs Are Specialized, Experienced Hardware Professionals
A managed service provider is an experienced partner. MSPs spend their time investigating new technology and solutions, and consequently have a broad spectrum of knowledge. They know about the latest technology options, the most cost-effective options, and the options that will most easily be upgraded in the future.
When upgrading hardware internally, IT workers need to do their own research into the best options – and these options may not always be the most cost-effective or sustainable. An MSP has access to specialists who have already done the legwork regarding hardware upgrades, and who already know which upgrades are best for which situation.
In addition to being able to draw out a roadmap for your company and its current needs, an MSP will also be able to manage your installation more effectively. An MSP has the experience and skill to tackle even tricky and involved hardware upgrades, in addition to quickly troubleshooting and resolving any issues that occur. If your system has been growing organically up until now, it likely has some quirks and problems that need to be dealt with through the process of an upgrade.
MSPs Provide Additional Resources for One-Off Upgrades and Projects
Not every business has employees it can commit purely to upgrade projects. In fact, if it does, it may even have too many employees! MSPs provide additional staff-hours for the business during times of transition, allowing existing IT personnel to focus on the big picture. While IT personnel continue their day-to-day tasks, MSPs can do everything from hooking up cables to providing a complete upgrade roadmap.
An MSP provides a flexible, adaptable resource pool that your business can use for everything, from providing advanced, expert guidance to putting out fires. This is far preferable to having to maintain a larger IT staff or having to hire temporary employees to ease a transition.
MSPs Save Money through Supplier Connections and Guidance
Over time, MSPs develop connections with hardware and software vendors. Through these connections, MSPs are often able to get better prices. Through certifications and established relationships with hardware vendors, you can get best-in-class technology at more affordable rates, which gives you a competitive edge.
But that isn’t the only way an MSP can save you money. An MSP can also advise you on the most affordable technology to deliver you the results that you need, in addition to advising you regarding your best upgrade paths. MSPs don’t just think about your needs today; they also think about your needs tomorrow.
MSPs Provide Custom Advice Regarding Your System Setup
Even before the process of your digital transformation begins, an experienced MSP can offer insights regarding the best hardware and network infrastructure for your business. An MSP can identify issues with your current hardware situation or find better solutions for your business and its workflow, all of which can improve upon the way that your business operates. Many companies are now moving towards cloud-based offerings, due to their extensive array of advantages. This demands a different type of physical architecture than a traditional, on-premise solution.
MSPs Offer Continued Support Following the Hardware Updates
After your hardware has been updated, your business is still likely to need support. Employees are going to need to adjust to new hardware, especially if you upgraded your software at the same time. IT teams may need additional support to deal with new hardware installations, and there may be bumps in the road as new workflows are adjusted to.
An MSP can provide continued, sustained support following a major digital transformation, giving a company everything that it needs to maintain its operations and protect its cash flow. Through an MSP, a business will be able to achieve better overall business processes, while not disrupting its own IT help desk.
Before You Upgrade Your Hardware, Ask an MSP
Whether you need to address Windows Server 2008 end of support or you need to scale up your entire network infrastructure to accommodate higher traffic, the process of digital transformation is a challenge. It begins with research and analysis – determining the best solutions for your business. And it doesn’t just end with the upgrade itself, but usually requires persistent support. If you want your business to be able to manage its hardware effectively, you need an MSP.
From deploying new hardware and upgrading software to migrating into the cloud, a managed IT services team can ease any further development for your business.Contact Red River today to start making managed IT work for you.
