One of the most complicated aspects of successfully operating a business is managing IT. While major corporations have the resources to hire a full-time IT team, many small businesses do not have the budget for IT staff. Working with a managed services provider (MSP) enables organizations to access IT expertise at a fraction of the cost of establishing an in-house team.
MSPs can manage tasks from equipment maintenance and internet operation to software management, ensuring servers, computers and office equipment operate smoothly and perform optimally. There are many companies offering these services on a national and local scale. While national firms may have greater visibility and brand recognition, it is important not to overlook the many benefits of working with local providers.
Here is a look at some of the top reasons a local managed services provider is the ideal solution for many organizations.
They Can Offer In-Person Help and Demonstrations
Even the most technologically advanced businesses can struggle to stay on top of changes to their infrastructure and adopt new technologies. Working with a managed IT services provider in their local area, organizations are able to receive training on site with representatives who will work directly with team members.
This hands-on approach saves time, reduces downtime, and ensures new technology is adopted seamlessly. Local service providers can answer questions as they arise and offer a more personal touch. They are also better able to gauge the employees’ understanding of the new technologies and ensure everyone is prepared for the transition.
With a non-local MSP, organizations will have to settle for receiving support and training from a distance, and expect possible delays in responses to phone calls and emails. Working locally, businesses typically connect with one contact person on the ground getting to know the team.
Local MSPs Can Help Organizations Find Cost Savings
Surprisingly, choosing a local MSP over a bigger enterprise can result in significant cost savings. Many local MSPs are geared toward small and medium sized businesses and tend to charge significantly less than MSPs with a broader client base.
In addition, a local MSP can personalize the services and solutions they offer, which means an organization is less likely to have to pay for solutions it does not need. These cost savings are further amplified by the fact that local MSPs will come to the site and identify other areas where costs can be cut and solutions can be simplified.
Local Service Offers Assistance More Quickly
When an organization experiences a maintenance emergency, local MSPs can render assistance much faster than a larger managed service company that is based far away. This can help reduce the amount of valuable work time that is lost.
In many cases, a service call involves several transfers before an appointment is set with a technician to come and address the issue in person. This can involve a significant wait when trained technicians are not available in the immediate area.
Organizations that work with local MSPs can speak to technicians directly, and help can typically be sent to the site immediately resulting in minimal disruptions to the organization’s workflow.
A Local MSP Understands Your Market
Every local market is unique, and technicians need more than sound technical knowledge to understand what a business needs. The geographic expertise offered by local MSPs can help ensure their offering aligns with your workplace culture and addresses common concerns in your industry and market area.
Local MSPs Provide a More Personalized Service
One of the most significant advantages that organizations can enjoy when they work with a local MSP is the personal service that takes their needs into account. Many larger MSPs offer a handful of one-size-fits-all packages that are designed to address general needs.
However, local MSPs can tailor their offering to ensure that it aligns with the organization’s specific concerns. The representative will typically spend time visiting the business, talking to staff, to gain a comprehensive understanding of their pain points and goals for the near future as well as the long term.
They will also confirm that everything is installed correctly and functioning as expected when they visit. The focus of this effort, beyond delivering effective service, is to form relationships with employees, creating a partnership that adds value to the organization.
This personalization often extends to the hardware as well. When working with a bigger managed services company that manufactures its own hardware or develops its own software, businesses are typically required to choose from the products they offer.
However, local MSPs generally have the flexibility to provide products from a range of vendors allowing organizations to obtain tailored solutions and avoid paying for functions and services they do not need.
Contact Advantage Technology To Learn More About Our Local Managed IT Services
To find out how Advantage Technology’s managed IT services can help your organization meet its goals, contact us to request a consultation today.