With market research estimating a drastic increase in demand over the next few years, managed service providers are working very hard to make sure that their colocation services are up to par with market competitors, resulting in better security and features for businesses looking to outsource their IT infrastructure. With the anticipated increase in demand comes an increase of malware and cyber attacks. This has significantly influenced managed service providers to work on increasing the quality and robustness of their services. 

Colocation can improve a company’s security capabilities in several ways.

1. Preventing physical access
   1. Gone are the days where companies hold their servers in their closets, causing an increased risk of security. MSP’s that offer colocation can focus more resources on security and provide solutions that can go a long way toward supporting data protection goals.
2. Avoiding data loss
   1. With cyber attacks anticipated to significantly increase over the next coming years, data backup and prevention is more important than ever before. Colocation providers can offer redundant power and network systems, facilities built to withstand natural disasters and relatively easy access to backup resources.
3. Network Security
   1. Colocation providers offer customers a secure network link between the third party data center and corporate headquarters. This adds a layer of protection from hackers and other threats. Colocation data centers also are physically off the premise of the business, making them well protected from physical wiretaps.

A company looking to grow and sustain success in the current and future state of the marketplace will undoubtedly come to a fork in the road with their IT infrastructure. It is likely that businesses will need to make decisions on whether or not they can keep their IT in house, and deal with the overhead that comes along with that, or if they will work with a managed service provider that will manage and provide consistent security and upkeep of their important data files. Protection against cyber attacks and outsiders will continue to rise as technology advances, forcing businesses  to fully submerge themselves into the digital age. So our advice to businesses? Invest in your IT, and hire a provider that knows what they are doing. 

About Historian:

Hostirian is a global market managed service provider, specializing in colocation, website hosting, social media management, and custom web/software development.  The company’s dedication to the industry, and their clients have given them the honor of working with some of the largest companies in the market. Hostirian’s team of developers, techs, and executives are dedicated to protecting and managing all things IT so that their client’s can focus on what matters.

Hostirian provides complimentary audits of businesses IT infrastructure. The strategy that Hostirian develops for each client is unique to the specific needs and goals of the respective company. Get in touch today.

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.