Six Must-Know Benefits of Managed IT Services

Managing all your IT infrastructure and end-user systems can be a pain, especially when you have far more critical tasks on your plate. This is where a managed service provider (MSP) comes in. It's an external company that takes care of everything IT-related in your business, making your life a whole lot easier.

Here are six benefits of working with a managed IT service provider and how they can improve day-to-day operations in your organization.

1. Access to Expert Support

Whether you have an in-house team to support your IT needs, a developer, or an office manager who somehow became the designated go-to for all tech needs, your team can benefit from partnering with access to export support that an MSP can offer. 

If you have an in-house team, MSPs can partner with your team to bridge the gap in your IT operations with diverse industry expertise and provide more personnel and resources as your company scales. MSPs can also customize solutions based on your specific needs, ensuring your IT operations run smoothly. 

Another great thing about MSPs is that they often offer support around the clock. This means you can get the IT resources you need at any time, and you won't have to wait until standard business hours to solve a problem. Whether you experience a system failure at midnight or need urgent software updates over the weekend, an MSP ensures minimal disruption and continued business operations.

2. Enhanced Security Measures

Cybersecurity is just one of the things a good MSP knows how to handle. They have the expertise to keep your business safe from bad actors and other threats, providing ongoing peace of mind. You can also access the latest cybersecurity tools through your MSP to keep your organization secure.

For example, The Atlantic Companies, a real estate development company in Atlanta, Ga, came to Ripple IT for help with computer installation and firewall protection. After this project’s completion, The Atlantic Companies’ system security improved by 100%.

That kind of approach is more critical than ever—hackers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with someone falling victim to a cyberattack every 11 seconds. By sharing your cybersecurity responsibilities with an MSP, you can protect your company's most sensitive information and maintain your reputation.

If your company frequently works with sensitive data, consider trusting your cybersecurity to an MSP with a SOC 2 certification. A SOC 2-certified MSP is a provider that meets industry-standard privacy, security, and availability requirements set by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA).

Beyond certification, the best MSPs implement proactive security measures, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), advanced threat detection, and security training for employees. These additional layers of protection can minimize human errors that might lead to data breaches. 

3. Scalability

You might think your company won't get any value from managed IT support services, but that couldn't be further from the truth. The best MSPs scale their solutions based on your current business, meaning you only pay for the services you need. 

For example, MSPs that offer cloud computing services can scale solutions up or down based on your current and future needs. This means that you can move as much of your data as you want to the cloud, and you have the option to move more as your company needs it. It also gives you peace of mind to know that your cloud can grow as your business does. 

One business that grew from partnering with Ripple is Plaid Enterprises, a pioneering force in the craft and DIY industry.

“Our organization was about 350 employees when we engaged them, and we’re now up to about 800 employees,” said Michael Patterson, IT Support Manager at Plaid Enterprises. “Ripple IT helped us set up the network at all three of our facilities.”

MSPs can also scale network infrastructure, cybersecurity measures, and software licensing needs. Whether you're expanding to a new office, hiring more employees, or rolling out new digital services, an MSP ensures your IT capabilities grow alongside your business.

4. Cost Savings

Research shows that successfully deploying managed services in a business can reduce IT costs by up to 45 percent and improve operational efficiency by up to 65 percent.

How so? Think of an MSP as an outsourced IT department. Instead of hiring an in-house team to handle all your equipment, you can delegate jobs to third-party experts who can address issues, prevent downtime, and ensure your systems are running at peak condition. Not only does this reduce internal labor costs, but you can optimize your IT operations by relying on specialists in their field.

Take remote monitoring, for example. An MSP can keep an eye on your servers and other infrastructure and resolve any problems before they get worse. That helps you avoid unplanned outages that lead to downtime. On the other hand, if something happens to your network, an MSP can address it right away, allowing your team to focus on the work you hired them to do and reducing the need to hire an in-house specialist.

Most MSPs offer a monthly pricing model, which eliminates surprise costs and allows businesses to better allocate their IT budgets to areas that drive growth.

5. Proactive Maintenance

Equipment failure is no joke, especially when it disrupts your business workflow. That's why it's critical to proactively maintain your IT infrastructure at all times. The problem is that you might not have the resources to monitor your systems, identify issues in real time, and fix them on the fly. It's no wonder that more companies are realizing the importance of managed IT services.

Proactive maintenance involves preventing issues with your equipment, including servers and data centers, before they occur. An MSP can help you with this by monitoring software updates, installing security patches, and making sure your infrastructure doesn't break down.

Through AI-driven analytics and automation, MSPs can predict potential system failures and prevent major disruptions. These predictive capabilities help organizations reduce downtime and maintain high levels of productivity.

6. Focus on Core Business Activities

One of the most significant benefits of managed IT services is the time you can free up in your business. When a third-party company manages your IT infrastructure, you can concentrate on other business activities, such as selling products or engaging customers.

With the right MSP, you can save hours each week on various IT tasks, from backing up data to monitoring networks. This gives you more time to focus on core business activities, allowing your company to grow and thrive.

A great example of this is TSWII Capital Advisors, a design-focused architecture firm that partnered with Ripple IT to streamline its technology environment. Before bringing in Ripple, their in-house team was juggling IT alongside their core design responsibilities. 

Ripple took over day-to-day IT support, cloud management, and device maintenance, which freed up TSWII's team to focus entirely on what they do best—creating thoughtful, award-winning architectural designs. The result was a more focused workforce, better collaboration, and noticeable improvements in productivity and client satisfaction.

“They’re available, timely, and resolve our issues. Ripple IT is a great partner to work with.” - Chris Fehr, COO of TSWII

Rather than getting bogged down by technical issues, your team can dedicate its efforts to innovation, customer service, and strategic decision-making. This shift in focus can make you more competitive and improve the overall success of your business.

How Ripple Can Help

Ripple is an MSP that believes that IT is an investment rather than an expense. We've worked with various partners to improve their operations and customer experience. 

Case in point: When the venture capital firm TechOperators needed an email hosting provider to archive old mail, it called on us. Our team helped the company migrate to Microsoft Office 365 and ensured everything worked properly. The result? Increased productivity and happier clients.

Hear from our happy clients:

“Ripple handled the project very professionally, and we will look to them for more projects in the future.” - Glenn McGonnigle, General Partner at TechOperators

Looking for IT support that's not about the technology but the people who use it? Schedule a consultation with Ripple today.

FAQs

Why use a managed service provider?

Some of the benefits of managed IT services include cost savings, proactive maintenance, and enhanced security. By outsourcing tasks to an MSP, you can improve day-to-day operations and safeguard your data.

What is the value of a managed service provider?

You can access professional IT experts who take care of your infrastructure around the clock. This might be more effective than hiring an in-house IT team.

What is the purpose of IT service management?

IT service management helps businesses like yours meet their IT objectives. This can involve a wide range of activities, including monitoring, protecting, streamlining, and upgrading your equipment.