According to CompTIA’s 2016 Buying Guide for Managed Services, 64 percent of organizations are using some form of managed services. Often times businesses can find themselves overwhelmed with the amount of IT requests, and projects needed to simply get their team to market. This usually leads to frantic hiring of IT employees, that sometimes aren’t able to keep up with the latest technology trends, or much less even understand the idea that IT is a balance of logic and efficiency. Where there are no “right” or “wrong” answers, but a lot of gray area, where strategic decisions and process must be implemented.

Over the last several years, the business marketplace has become more accepting of managed service providers (MSPs). They turn to MSPs to manage certain aspects of their IT infrastructure. By hiring the MSP, businesses save a lot on time and resources while insuring that certain IT functions are well managed and monitored. In addition to savings, businesses are switching from hiring in-house IT departments to using an MSP, because of the fact that MSPs stay on the cutting edge of technology. Their presence drives businesses growth by allowing the organization to focus on what they bring to their marketplace, instead of being bogged down by the needs of their IT infrastructure.

Here are the top 10 reasons why businesses are switching to MSPs. 

1. Improve security- With the WannaCry crisis occurring last week, the threat of cyber attacks are stronger now more than ever. Working with a qualified MSP can help ensure a business’s security against damaging cyber attacks.
2. Proactive approach to IT problems– When working with an MSP, businesses get access to proactive solving strategies that can help save time and resources, by solving IT related issues BEFORE they happen.
3. Better up time– With a provider focusing on creating efficiency within the IT infrastructure, MSPs can help make a business’s computers run more effectively and efficiently.
4. Gain access to newer technologies– A good MSP will always be on the forefront of innovation in regards to the newest technologies. It is their focus to help businesses become more efficient.
5. Cost savings–  When comparing hiring an in-house IT team, the cost of salaries, and benefits are often times much higher than a monthly retainer to keep an MSP managing a business’s IT infrastructure.
6. Peace of mind– No more fretting, or worrying about security and time that goes into managing and maintaining an IT system or systems for a business.
7. Frees up the internal staff– With outsourcing IT functions, a business can use their internal staff to work on more strategic initiatives that benefit the business as a whole.
8. Management of cloud solutions– Businesses are moving towards cloud management at an increasing rate. Using an MSP to help manage a business’s cloud can help with efficient organization that can speed up internal production.
9. Lack of Internal IT- 38% of cyber attacks target small businesses. Small Businesses that don’t have the budget or knowledge of hiring an in house IT department, can turn to MSPs to help manage their IT needs.
10. Handle of remote office IT- Leaving MSPs to do the management of a remote office IT helps significantly increase productivity within a business. It allows for businesses to focus on their trade rather than their IT infrastructure.

The competitive marketplace is a huge challenge to any business, in and of itself. By working with an MSP, businesses are able to focus efforts on areas that drive growth. Leaving the day to day operations to a provider. This saves money in the long run, and additionally– many managed services cost less than other traditional services and staff. Engaging an MSP provides businesses with access to a full IT team specializing in all areas of the IT industry. Allowing businesses to focus on what matters.