All LinkedIn Articles are posted by Victor J. Quinones, Jr., CEO, Chairman, and Co-Founder at Virtual-Q. Original article posted here.
Many organizations manage their IT infrastructure, software, and security differently. Some organizations with large teams and extensive technology have the budget for internal IT teams staffed with experts and developers. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) generally don’t have that budget and instead opt for a single IT staff member who helps keep workstations up and running.
But, here’s the problem: basic troubleshooting and break/fix support from a single “IT guy” isn’t going to cut it in today’s technology and operational environment. New tools are always emerging to make operations more efficient and the cybersecurity threat landscape is always evolving.
From ransomware attacks on the Colonial pipeline and JBS to supply chain attacks on SolarWinds and, most recently, Microsoft Exchange email servers, the threat is ever present. It’s not just large organizations, though. They get the most coverage in the press, but 43% of cyber attacks target small business.
Key Advantages
Outsourcing IT support through a managed service provider (MSP) like Virtual Q is a way for organizations to get support from a team of IT experts without having to exhaust a limited budget on an internal team.
Working with an MSP offers a range of benefits that most businesses simply can’t live without.
Budget Predictability
With an internal IT team, the organization is paying salary, benefits, and the cost of recruiting and maintaining employees. Beyond that, though, there is also the cost of equipment and upgrades, new software, and other fluctuating or unexpected expenses. With an MSP, on the other hand, you’ll pay a fixed monthly fee. You’ll receive a range of services that the MSP provides—such as help desk support, cybersecurity planning, monitoring, and more in the case of Virtual Q—plus strategic planning designed to bring unmatched predictability to your technology budget for the long term.
Expert-Level Support
It can be difficult for SMBs to recruit experienced IT professionals to staff their teams. Even if budget alone weren’t a roadblock, smaller organizations simply don’t have the pull that technology companies and large organizations do. Working with an MSP allows SMBs to get access to 24/7 help desk support, hardware management, recommendations on software, cloud migrations, and more. So, while you may not have your own internal team on payroll, we effectively become a part of your organization.
Mitigate Risks
Through ongoing monitoring of your systems and by keeping firewalls and software patches up to date, an MSP helps reduce the risk of successful cyberattacks. Beyond that, it’s important to acknowledge that your own team is your first line of defense. With phishing attacks being one of the primary vehicles for malware and data breaches, we’ll ensure your security policies and training are up to date with the latest best practices.
Develop Real Peace of Mind
Every organization has its own mission and goals. From a charity organization to providing a critical professional service, it is critical that all eyes are focused on achieving your objectives. Too often, poorly functioning IT gets in the way.
Virtual Q globally can change that. Let us focus on delivering the best technology services and support for your particular business so you can focus on growing your business.
