Chicago is fast becoming a hub for small businesses, with solid IT infrastructure playing an important role in their growth and innovation. Having the right IT resources in place keeps your business running smoothly and supports you as you scale. However, with the high demand that IT places on your time, internal teams can struggle to keep up. That’s why Chicago businesses are increasingly opting to rely on managed IT services. 

Working with a managed IT service provider (MSP) relieves your business of a range of tasks that require time, dedication, and high expertise levels. There are many reasons why outsourcing IT-related tasks will benefit your business in Chicago. This article will help you understand what outsourced IT services entail and the advantages they can bring to your small or medium business.

What are Managed IT Services?

Managed IT services allow businesses to delegate their daily IT needs and tasks to an external service provider. With technology being embedded in every aspect of business, the demand for managed IT services in Chicago is rapidly increasing. These services help reduce the workload of internal staff, ensuring that your business meets its IT demands. Managed IT service providers help ensure that all IT duties are seamlessly managed, from cloud storage and network management to system administration.

What Does a Managed IT Service Provider Do?

Chicago IT Support can significantly benefit any organization by customizing various solutions to your specific needs. You can take advantage of extensive MSP supports, including: 

1. Security

IT security is an essential aspect of any business in order to keep your business’s data and sensitive information safe. An MSP helps protect your most critical assets by ensuring cybersecurity defences are in place at every touchpoint. Through a combination of software and support, security is guaranteed through:

• Device security and management
• Constant monitoring of your systems
• Application security
• Network security

2. Reliable support

MSPs have trained and experienced experts on hand that are available to support your team with technical difficulties as and when they arise. Whether you need troubleshooting support or system diagnosis, an MSP has the right personnel to resolve your issues through real-time support.  

3. Cloud computing and management

With many Chicago businesses migrating to the cloud, it’s easy for teams to become overwhelmed with cloud management tasks. When you outsource cloud infrastructure management to a managed service provider, you can receive assistance with:

• Accurate and timely backups to prevent data loss
• Secure maintenance so staff can easily access required resources at all times
• Improved functionality and management of your shareable resources

4. Network administration

Coordinating devices, troubleshooting your network, and backing up your data are tasks that will easily distract you from other business responsibilities. Therefore, having an MSP to set up and maintain your network will benefit your overall operations. They will ensure:

• Unified communications and connected devices
• Network security and connectivity
• Renewal of licences and updates to firmware

How Can Chicago Businesses Benefit from Managed IT Services?

Outsourcing technical responsibilities to a Chicago IT service provider comes with the following benefits:

1. Reduced costs

In today’s competitive business setting, managers are constantly seeking ways to maximize their profits by reducing expenditure. Managed IT services with transparent payment plans make it easier for companies to predict their expenses. Additionally, Chicago business owners can make significant savings on labor costs, as you can minimize or eliminate the need for internal IT staff.

2. Advanced security

Your business networks and systems are constantly exposed to ever-changing cyber threats. This means that you must ensure that your systems are protected at all times. Unfortunately, this isn’t always easy, given that small business leaders have so many other competing priorities. Managed IT service providers have expertise in cybersecurity, information architecture, and data protection to ensure that your digital assets are protected from any form of infiltration.

3. Regular updates and upgrades

IT systems need regular updates to perform optimally without causing any delays or interruptions. Whether it’s software or security updates, a managed IT service provider ensures that you have the latest updates and security patches in place across all aspects of your business.

4. Experienced and reliable experts

Instead of burdening your IT staff, you can significantly alleviate their workload by using a managed IT service provider. With well-trained, experienced professionals at the other end of a phone call, email, or live chat, you can fulfill any IT challenges quickly and effectively tackle any problems that arise. This means that your IT team can focus on larger projects that benefit your organization’s growth.

5. Access to new technology solutions

Since integrating new technology into your business usually involves extensive training and resources, using an MSP can simplify this process. Managed IT service providers have knowledge of, and access to, all of the software and technology solutions your Chicago business may need. This means that they have the right personnel and resources to handle implementation with ease.

6. Ability to focus on your core business activities

Technology management is a complicated task that can impact your ability to stay focused on your business’s core purpose. By outsourcing your IT operations to the right MSP, you can focus on innovation opportunities and expanding your business. 

7. Reduce the risk of downtime

According to Infrascale research, a company risks losing $8,000 for every hour of downtime, which can be prevented by outsourcing to a Chicago IT service provider. An MSP ensures regular technology updates, risk assessment, and data backup, which reduces interruptions. In the event of a problem, you can have your systems back up and running in less time with the help of external resources.

Grow Your Business in Chicago with Electric

The benefits of managed IT services for Chicago businesses are too many to cover in a single article. If you are looking for a reliable managed service provider, Electric is here to help. Our experts can assess your IT infrastructure and support you to operate more efficiently by taking care of your technology needs. Get in touch to learn more about our managed IT services.