How Can Managed IT Services Help Retail Businesses?

When people think about managed IT services, they frequently think about large enterprises, B2B companies, SaaS solutions and the cloud. But managed IT services can be a tremendous boon to retail businesses and other brick-and-mortar companies. From small businesses to large ecommerce portals, there are many managed IT services and solutions for retail industry companies.

Let’s take a deeper look at managed services for retail and their advantages.

What are managed IT services and solutions for retail?

In short, most retail companies don’t have the time, money or human power to devote to managing their own IT. This is increasingly dangerous, as even small brick-and-mortar companies may become the target of cyber-attacks. Today, nearly everything operates on the cloud or through complex applications and services. Retail companies may not be able to manage these services on their own. That’s where an MSP comes in.

An MSP offers services to help retail companies manage their IT. This can include anything from cybersecurity and risk management to cloud services, application management and more. MSPs can tailor a service plan to meet the specific needs of each retail company. This can be a huge advantage for small businesses that may not have the internal resources to manage their IT independently – especially as the retail industry finds its footing again.

The benefits of managed services for retail

There are many advantages to enlisting the help of an MSP, especially for retail companies. These benefits can include:

1. Increased security. One of the biggest advantages of managed IT services is increased security. MSPs can help retail companies implement strong cybersecurity measures and protect against potential attacks.
2. Improved efficiency. Stop fighting with your point-of-sale. Managed services can also help retail companies improve their overall efficiency. By outsourcing IT management, businesses can focus on their core competencies and leave the IT management to the experts.
3. Enhanced customer service. In addition, managed services can help retail companies enhance their customer service. MSPs can provide 24/7 support and monitoring to ensure that customers always have a positive experience.
4. Cost savings. By outsourcing IT management, businesses can avoid the costly overhead of maintaining an in-house IT team. In addition, MSPs can often provide discounts on software and other services.
5. New solutions. A retail company may not be using advanced solutions, such as supply chain management or SD-WAN, because they have no way of deploying or researching them. A managed service provider brings additional expertise along with its other professional services.

So, why don’t more retail companies engage with an MSP? For many retail companies, technology may be an afterthought. Other companies may face some potential challenges, especially related to knowing whether they need an MSP or finding an MSP to trust.

Potential challenges with managed IT services for retail

There are a few potential challenges that retail companies may face when considering managed IT services. These challenges can include:

• Not knowing if they need an MSP: The first challenge is that many retail companies may not realize that they need an MSP. They may think that their business is too small or that they can handle their IT needs on their own.
• Not knowing what to look for in an MSP: The second challenge is that retail companies may not know what to look for when choosing an MSP. They may not be sure which services they need or how to find an MSP that they can trust.
• Not knowing how to integrate an MSP: The third challenge is that retail companies may not know how to integrate an MSP into their business. They may not be sure how to make the most of the services offered or how to ensure that they’re getting the best possible value for their money.

A trustworthy and experienced MSP will help a retail business surmount any and all of the above challenges – but you need to find a trustworthy MSP.

How can you find retail IT managed services?

If you’re a retail company looking for managed IT services, there are a few things you can do to find the right MSP. Note that you want to find a service that specializes in your field – retail solutions.

1. Define your needs. The first step is to define your company’s specific needs. What services do you need? What are your goals? Once you know what you need, you can start to narrow down your options.
2. Research your options. The next step is to research your options. There are many different MSPs out there, so you’ll want to take the time to find the right one for your company. You can read online reviews, compare prices and more. Do you need or want someone local? Or can you work with a solution that is off-shore or near-shore?
3. Ask for referrals. Another great way to find an MSP is to ask for referrals from other businesses. If you know someone who has used an MSP before, they may be able to recommend a good option for you.
4. Get a free consultation. Finally, once you’ve narrowed down your options, you can get a free consultation from each MSP. This will allow you to learn more about their services and decide if they’re the right fit for your company.

By following these steps, you can find retail IT managed services that will help your business succeed.

Conclusion: Does your retail business need a managed IT service?

If your retail business is struggling to keep up with its IT needs (and new trends), it may be time to consider a managed IT service. Managed IT services can help businesses save money, improve customer service and more. You may be surprised to find out how affordable engaging with an MSP can be.

It’s time to contact Red River. We can help your retail or commercial business determine whether it truly needs an MSP or whether it may just need some consultancy services. Contact us today to get started.

FAQs

What do managed IT service providers do?

For the retail industry, a managed IT service provider can support the retail company’s point-of-sale system, secure its other technology platforms and provide support to help the organization avoid business disruption.

What technology is used in the retail sector?

Retail companies frequently operate via point-of-sale systems, which can range from being very advanced to fairly rudimentary. Retail companies can improve their ROI, however, by using more advanced solutions like CRM suites and eCommerce portals. A managed service can help a retail business implement and maintain these solutions.