Managed Services Ensure Increased Revenues and Reduced IT Costs
Outsourcing security and storage needs won’t bust business budgets
As the economy struggles to right itself, small- and mid-size businesses must constantly reevaluate the best ways to spend their IT dollars.
In many cases, they’re cutting costs and bettering their bottom line by choosing to outsource their technology needs, using off-site monitoring, data storage, and other managed services.
Why are small- to mid-sized businesses opting for off-site tech help?
More than ever, business decision makers say they’re more likely to hand off network security and data storage to companies offering managed services, rather than hire in-house IT professionals, according to an 11-country survey by AMI-Partners.
It often comes down to simple economics, says Mike Sutton, president of Mobilitechs, a managed services firm serving clients in central PA. He started Mobilitechs in 2007 after hearing about the struggles business owners had finding reliable IT support and repair.
“Think about all the costs associated with training a dedicated team of IT people, including salaries, expenses, and health insurance costs. For just one or two people, this coverage starts at more than $6,000 per month,” he says. “For a fraction of that cost, smaller or mid-size businesses can get the constant monitoring, software upgrades, and network security—without any of the hassles and cost of adding additional personnel,” Sutton says.
Knies Insurance Group of Honey Brook, Pennsylvania, switched to Mobilitechs’ managed services in 2007, wanting more than the cut-and-paste approach of their previous service providers, but not wanting the payroll expense of a dedicated IT person.
“We’re a small insurance agency and thus don’t have capital to acquire an IT manager on full- or part-time staff,” says Greg Knies, who owns and runs the company with his wife, Julie. At the same time, “we have to use the technology at its utmost efficiency and make sure that everyone is working in the most efficient manner possible,” Knies says.
The benefit to using a company like Mobilitechs, Knies says, is not just having an efficient, functioning network — it’s also getting recommendations to ensure that the business has the most up-to-date technology.
Recently Mobilitechs recommended Knies purchase dual monitors for customer service reps, a move that Knies says improved efficiency. Mobilitechs also helped the client establish a shared calendaring system that allows for more efficient collaboration and communication for employees inside the office and on the road.
Julie Knies, co-owner and office manager for Knies Insurance Group, prefers the immediate support offered by Mobilitechs’ remote monitoring. “I don’t have to wait for you to come out. You can actually just take control of my computer and make adjustments or whatever is needed, and that’s been wonderful. It’s all about the response time, and saving time is what you’ve done,” says Julie Knies.
Mobilitechs’ clients include insurance agencies, agricultural firms, law offices, and nonprofits. Its computer protection coverage plans range from $15 per computer for basic maintenance and monitoring to custom, full-service plans for multiple machines.
“Being a small business owner, I almost look at you as a teammate or a coworker. Because I know I can call you for my technical questions . . . I’m not a real technical person, but I’m really quite satisfied with what you’ve offered us and how you’ve responded to our needs,” says Julie Knies.
Businesses can get a free comprehensive network audit from Mobilitechs until June 2010, available through mobilitechs.com or by calling 717-490-1179.
Source: www.eweek.com
