Problematic and outdated hardware can be detrimental to your IT infrastructure and, consequently, your business. As these machines and devices are prone to performance issues, they make your business more likely to suffer unscheduled downtime, which inconveniences your customers and results in wasted resources. Repairs and maintenance cease becoming practical after some time, so you should consider upgrading to more powerful hardware once every few years. For instance, your servers are best upgraded every three to five years.
Unfortunately, the upfront costs of purchasing and installing brand new hardware every so often may be too prohibitive for many small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). One of the most cost-effective solutions to this issue is Hardware-as-a-Service (HaaS).
What is HaaS?
HaaS is a service model in which, instead of buying and owning your business’s IT hardware, you rent or lease machines and devices from another company. Managed IT services providers (MSPs) like Healthy IT (us!) typically include HaaS among our many offerings.
With HaaS, you can rent computers, routers, servers, and other IT equipment — the list of available hardware can vary with each provider. You’re free to use any of the rented machines and devices as needed by your business, all for a fixed monthly fee.
What can HaaS do for SMBs?
HaaS provides SMBs with the following benefits:
Access to the latest and most powerful hardware
To ensure that you do business with them for a long time, HaaS providers offer the best hardware available in the market. As a result, you get an IT system that is powerful enough to handle any workload. This translates to improved operational efficiency, better customer service, and reduced risk of unscheduled downtime.
Lower costs and predictable expenses
Most HaaS providers, like us, charge a flat monthly fee that’s much cheaper than the exorbitant upfront investment needed to procure new IT hardware. What’s more, you won’t have to worry about upgrading and updating your rented equipment — your HaaS provider does this for you. All these can help you save a lot of money.
Furthermore, owning IT equipment leaves you open to many unforeseen expenses. For instance, some of your computer monitors may suddenly malfunction and need repairs. Such unpredictable expenses can make budgeting difficult. With HaaS, your monthly fee covers equipment repair and maintenance, so you don’t have to pay extra. This makes your cash flow much more predictable, enabling you to plan your company’s finances more effectively.
Proactive service
The traditional break/fix service model goes like this: when something goes wrong with your IT system, you call a technician. The technician arrives and performs repairs or remotes into your systems to fix the issue virtually. They leave or get off the phoneand you get charged based on the amount of time it took to repair the issue. For the technician to earn money, your IT system will have to keep on malfunctioning.
HaaS providers, on the other hand, earn money when your IT system is at peak condition. For this reason, their technicians regularly visit your office — usually outside of your business hours — to check on your hardware and ensure that everything is in working order. This way, potentially disruptive issues are fixed before they can affect your operations. HaaS providers also have experts who can assist you over the phone during unexpected hardware failures. If this isn’t enough, then your provider can send technicians to your office to resolve the problem.
Assistance from IT experts
Imagine buying an expensive piece of hardware, only to realize that it’s unnecessary or incompatible with your existing IT infrastructure. Working with a HaaS provider helps you avoid issues such as these by connecting you with IT experts who can help choose the best hardware for your business’s needs.
Trust us at Healthy IT to provide you with top-grade hardware that supports your goals. We can also manage your IT systems on your behalf, giving you more time to serve your customers and grow your business. Schedule a free consultation today.