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It is an established fallacy that most businesses will fail within their first year, whereas only around 20% will fail in the first twelve months, only 25% will make it to their 15-year point1. No business should suffer from failure at any stage due to a lack of IT specialism, support, or a deficiency in cyber security expertise – and there comes a time when the startup mentality has to switch, and the business has to professionalise.
No one begrudges the staff from working from their favourite coffee shop or workspace, but the technology and services in place to facilitate safe hybrid working are often best outsourced to a managed service provider (MSP) who is able to ease the frictions often surrounded with the mundane iterative processes of chasing, patching, updating, and securing the company IT infrastructure.
Employing an MSP is what differentiates a business that has stepped-up, from a startup.
Entrusting your critical IT systems to an MSP enables leadership to lead, the business to focus on core functions, and provides a round-the-clock service that can be called upon to resolve technical issues that were once the preserve of the most technically capable in the company, provided they were free to respond. An outsourced IT function, using an MSP, provides access to specialist knowledge that is unlikely to be available in-house.
Proactive, preventative, maintenance for systems, software, and end-user devices is where the MSP provides maximum value for your business. By choosing an MSP with experience in cyber security and current threats, and by securing your network and hardware remotely, a good MSP should be able to reduce the likelihood of your business experiencing a cyber incident through preventative maintenance.
For those businesses concerned about preventing cyber incidents, the option of choosing to use a managed security service provider (MSSP) adds an additional level of protection, as the network traffic, systems, and devices are incorporated into a monitoring service that helps to detect intrusion and threats to the security of IT services. By incorporating an incident response function, businesses wishing to enjoy the reassurance of a dedicated team, in conjunction with cyber insurance, enjoy the comprehensive support of the MSSP service.
Whilst businesses fail because of poor strategy, financial issues, over-expansion, or bad luck, the failure of a business due to infrastructure failure, data loss, cyber incident, or just inexperience, is wholly avoidable, and should be factored into any strategy.
As a Managed Services and Managed Security Services provider, Toro releases the capacity in businesses, like yours, to enable them to realise their full potential.
Here are 7 reasons why you should outsource to an MSP:
1. Cost Assurance Running IT in-house can be costly.
Between hiring specialist staff and keeping up with equipment and software, the expenses can quickly add up. By using an MSP, you’ll get access to top-tier technology and expertise at a fraction of the cost, helping to keep your overheads down. MSPs offer predictable, fixed-cost pricing models, helping you avoid unexpected expenses and budget more effectively, this ensures your IT costs remain manageable,
2. A More Robust Infrastructure
MSPs bring robust, enterprise-level infrastructure to the table, ensuring your systems are well-maintained, up-to-date, and secure. This reduces the chance of downtime and ensures your business keeps running smoothly with minimal disruption.
3. Simplifying Complex Processes
IT management is complex, and the list of things to do seems endless – patching, updating, troubleshooting. An MSP takes care of these behind the scenes, simplifying your processes and freeing up your time so you can focus on what matters most - running your business.
4. Disaster Recovery and Data Protection
Every business faces the risk of disasters, whether that’s a cyber-attack, a technical failure, or something out of your control. MSPs have disaster recovery plans in place, which means your data is backed up and recoverable, allowing you to bounce back quickly and minimise downtime.
5. Automatic Upgrades
Keeping up with tech upgrades and security patches can be time-consuming. An MSP ensures that your systems are always running the latest versions of software, meaning your business stays secure and efficient without you having to worry about it.
6. Faster Response Times
In-house IT teams can struggle to provide immediate responses when you need them, particularly during busy periods. MSPs, on the other hand, offer quicker response times and dedicated support, making sure any issues are dealt with promptly, so you don’t lose valuable time.
7. Access to Flexible Workforce
As your business grows, your IT needs evolve. An MSP offers flexible support, so you can scale up or down as needed without having to hire and train extra staff. You only pay for the support you need, when you need it.
In summary, moving from a startup to a professional business means having the right IT support in place. Partnering with the right MSP ensures your systems are secure, maintained, and running smoothly, freeing you to focus on growing your business. With proactive management and expert knowledge, an MSP reduces the risk of downtime, data loss, and cyber threats, helping your business thrive without the need to handle IT issues in-house. It's a smart investment for long-term success and stability.
To find out more about Toro's MSP services email info@torosolutions.co.uk.
1] https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/1010/top-6-reasons-new-businesses-fail.aspx