What are Remote Managed IT Services and How Can They Benefit My Business?
Remote managed it services typically refer to managed IT providers that manage computers/networks from remote locations, they typically don’t go on-site and don’t have to be located near the business they are managing.
This allows small businesses more freedom when choosing an IT-provider and it allows managed IT providers to spread their influence over a much larger region.
This type of service is perfect for businesses with multiple locations, such as healthcare facilities and large construction companies. Having a remote-managed IT provider can help these types of businesses (and many others!) keep their systems running smoothly while reducing costs.
For example, if there is an issue with a computer at one location, the remote-managed IT provider will be able to diagnose and fix the problem without having someone travel to the site.
This eliminates the need for on-site staff who are typically expensive and hard to find.
Overall, remote-managed IT services provide many benefits that can save your business time and money.
If you’re looking for a more reliable and cost-effective way to manage your IT needs, then a remote-managed IT provider may be right for you.
Insider Insight: As we trend more & more towards a fully remote workforce, remote managed IT services are becoming increasingly valuable. It is likely the future of outsourced IT services will be entirely remote.
The potential complications of working with a remote managed IT provider
There are some pretty significant hurdles for remote managed teams though, one of the most significant being the cybersecurity implications.
A fully remote environment can make properly implementing cybersecurity controls very complex. Without on-site staff, it can be difficult to ensure that all remote users are following security protocols and are using approved devices/software. The most common origin point of breaches is from manipulating the people within a company, so this is a huge problem.
This is why it’s important to work with a remote-managed IT provider who has a strong cybersecurity track record and takes data security seriously. Remote-managed cybersecurity is 100% possible and has been done in the past but it can be a bit more complex than an on-site solution.
You also can’t ignore the obvious, it’s a lot tougher to plug a cable in that no one can find when you can’t make the trip to the office. Especially for businesses where they are heavily reliant on a quick IT response. A system-stopping issue, even one as simple as a loose cable could have a non-trivial impact on revenue.
This is typically the biggest holdup that scares many businesses away from transitioning to a fully remote managed it service.
Of course, smart businesses have found a variety of ways to circumvent these issues.
Often, managed IT providers will partner with other IT providers in the region so if they absolutely need someone on-site, they can have them come over. This has proven to be fairly effective. It can be difficult to manage quality control for the managed IT provider though.
The benefits of remote managed IT services
The benefits of traditional managed IT services translate (almost) perfectly to remote managed IT services.
Insider Insight: Remote managed IT services come with their own unique set of complications. As a business owner, manager, executive you shouldn’t notice a substantial difference between a remote provider and a on-site provider. The best remote managed it service providers provide an excellent service regardless of the aforementioned complexities.
The biggest benefit is that managing technology gets taken off of your shoulders and placed squarely on the shoulders of your IT provider. You run your business, they manage the technology. It’s a symbiotic relationship that’s proven to be highly effective & typically saves the business cash as well.
Certain industries may benefit more from remote managed IT services, especially if you find yourself with:
- Multiple locations
- Moving around often
- A mix of remote & on-site employees
In particular, healthcare, manufacturing, and large construction companies can greatly benefit from remote-managed IT services.
Healthcare facilities greatly benefit from using remote-managed IT services. In a world where cyberattacks are becoming increasingly common, healthcare facilities need all the help they can get in order to protect patient data. Having an experienced team managing their IT infrastructure remotely can be a great way to ensure that sensitive information is kept safe.
Manufacturing companies can benefit by having an IT provider manage and monitor their systems remotely, manufacturers can focus on their core business functions and leave the IT to the experts. This leads to increased efficiency and fewer problems down the road.
Construction companies can benefit by having their technology management “ride-along” when they move from location to location. Helping to manage a remote, multi-site workforce. This can be a daunting task, but with the help of an experienced remote-managed IT service provider, construction companies can keep their technology running without any hiccups.
With the ever-growing threat of cyberattacks, it has never been more important to make sure that your business is as safe as possible. Using remote managed IT services is one way to do just that.
A little bit more complex than traditional IT management? Sure, but do the benefits outweigh the cost? 90% of the time, yes.
If you’re interested in learning more about how this solution could work for your organization just contact us today for a free demo.
Thanks for reading!
WRITTEN BY
Marketing Manager @ Techfive | Working to make B2B brands more personable & human.
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