If you're like most business owners, you're always looking for ways to improve your operations. And if you want to implement a remote work setup, one of the key areas you'll need to focus on is your IT setup. Trying to manage this yourself can be challenging since staff members are usually using their own devices and it's much more difficult to monitor activity outside of the company network.
Fortunately, a managed IT services provider (MSP) can be of tremendous assistance to you. Let's check out the primary ways an MSP can help you make your remote work arrangement work for you.
If you want to implement a remote work setup, one of the key areas you'll need to focus on is your IT setup.
MSPs let you leverage the best tech to enable remote work
Managed IT services providers offer a range of services that can improve your remote work setup. This includes cloud hosting and backup solutions, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and comprehensive cybersecurity protection. To illustrate, MSPs will likely recommend migrating many business processes to the cloud to help your staff accomplish their tasks wherever they are. If you have employees living in areas with poor internet service, MSPs will recommend that you provide them with mobile Wi-Fi hotspots.
Secondly, remote staff members are likely to use their own devices and internet service providers. To prevent tech compatibility issues, an MSP may implement remote work policies that set company standards and ensure work efficiency.
In short, an MSP will assess your business requirements — for remote work and every other aspect of your operations — and help you build your IT infrastructure accordingly. Moreover, by working with an MSP, you'll have access to experts who can make sure your remote work arrangement is productive and efficient.
MSPs handle your IT for you
In small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), employees almost always have their hands full. It's even likely that many staff members fulfill multiple roles in your organization, and those who know their way around IT systems are assigned IT-related tasks. However, when trouble tickets from remote staff pile up, your IT team may feel compelled to focus solely on resolving those tickets and consequently put their primary tasks on the back burner.
An MSP can take IT-related tasks off of your IT team’s plate so that they can do what you hired them to do. Instead of making do with their meager IT skills, you can instead rely on your MSP's IT specialists. These specialists are best equipped to fulfill the needs of your remote staff in a timely and satisfactory manner.
Moreover, MSPs provide before- and after-hours service, so if server issues pop up at 2:00 a.m., the MSP will take care of these for you before you open in the morning. You'll no longer have to wake up staff at an ungodly hour, so they get to enjoy better work-life balance.
MSPs provide 24/7 cybersecurity protection
One of the key benefits of working with an MSP is that they can protect your business from cyberthreats. Remote workers are especially vulnerable to cyberattacks, as they may not have the same level of protection as employees who work in the office. For example, remote workers may not have access to the same firewalls and antivirus software, and their devices might not have the necessary security patches installed.
An MSP can mitigate these risks by providing comprehensive cybersecurity protection, personal firewalls for remote staff, identity and access management systems, encryption for data in transit, and more. Additionally, MSPs can help you develop a comprehensive cybersecurity policy for your organization and train your remote workers to stay safe online.
MSPs are an essential partner for SMBs
There's no doubt that MSPs can optimize your remote work setup. They can help you leverage the best technology, provide you with IT support, and protect your business from cyberthreats. If you're looking to make your remote work arrangement work smoothly for you, partner up with a top-notch MSP like Healthy IT. Businesses in New York and beyond rely on us for all of their IT needs. Schedule your free consultation with us today!