We should be grateful all through the year, but traditionally we pause on a Thursday in November to focus on gratitude. Have you considered adding your organization’s IT to your ‘thank you’ list? Technology serves as the backbone of modern businesses, and corporations located in Chicago sit in the hub for commerce, making efficient IT systems essential to maintain competitiveness.
Chicago businesses can benefit from managed IT services to ensure IT reliability. By shouldering the burden of maintaining a healthy IT environment, managed IT services give you freedom and confidence to focus on your core business. So, what can a Chicago managed IT service do for you?
What are managed IT services?
In simple terms, these service providers maintain the technological expertise to design, implement, upgrade, monitor, and secure your IT infrastructure. In short, their professionals handle all things related to your network including software applications and hardware devices.
Specifically, what services can you expect?
One size does not fit all with regard to managed IT service. Depending upon the level of IT expertise you employ in-house, (i.e. do you have an internal IT group?), you may choose to contract for some or all of the following:
· IT Service – The service provider can monitor your network’s performance and manage the devices supporting your network, including servers and desktops. They can track software licenses, manage hardware assets, and perform key maintenance including software application upgrades. Their expertise offers the knowledge to optimize the performance of all your devices.
· Security Protection – New threats to your network evolve daily. An IT managed services provider continually monitors the threats to your system. These experts also detect vulnerabilities, both internal and external, to the security of your network and data. And, they can implement and keep current your security applications.
· Data Continuity – In the event of a data breach, secure and fresh backups prove essential. A managed IT service not only designs an effective backup schedule, it can also manage the timely backups. These experts work with you to create disaster recovery plans and periodically test their effectiveness.
· Strategic Consulting – Because of its key role in the growth of your business, IT should be considered in your overall business plan. IT consultants can lend their expertise to your strategic planning process. They can also recommend current IT tools to support your organization’s growth while ensuring the cost of those enhancements stays within budget.
· Ongoing Support – Whether answering the questions of internal or external customers, an IT managed service provider can handle your Helpdesk requests. To ensure the health of an IT system, you must maintain relationships with a number of software and hardware vendors. An IT service can manage these connections for you. And when emergencies occur, the experts at a Chicago managed IT service provider can provide swift, 24/7 support.
As a Chicago-based business, how do you benefit from managed IT services?
· Scalability – Do you consider you are a small company or a big company that happens to be small right now? Your IT infrastructure should scale to meet your growing needs. The consultants at a managed IT service can help you find the components affordable for a smaller budget but that can scale economically when your business hits the growth ramp.
· Availability – With today’s technology, many IT problems can be solved remotely. However, when an emergency arises, you want a Chicago-based managed IT service who can deliver an expert to your door 24/7, and who can have an IT consultant at the table during your business strategy sessions.
· Efficiency – A Chicago managed service provider has vendor relationships in the neighborhood and can design economical solutions to upgrade the efficiency and effectiveness of your IT infrastructure. Familiar with Chicago industries, these providers can recommend solutions that have proven their effectiveness.
· Security – Healthcare, finance, and legal, three of the most popular industries in the Chicago area, also face heavy regulation. They deal with highly sensitive data that, if compromised, could prove disastrous to their businesses and their clients. A Chicago managed IT service provider can monitor your system 24/7 and proactively mitigate threats to your system’s security.
What key features should you look for in a managed IT service provider?
· Proven Performance – What are current clients saying about this managed IT service provider? Work with a group who has a history of reliability and expertise.
· Personalized Solutions – One size does not fit all in the world of IT. Find a provider who offers services tailored to your business’ specific needs.
· Prioritized Security – Does this managed service provider prioritize data security and disaster recover? Engage with a provider who prioritizes system security.
· Professional Expertise – IT evolves continually. Find a managed IT service provider whose experts stay current on technological and maintain relationships with leading software providers in your industry.
As a Chicago-based organization, consider adding your IT infrastructure to your ‘thank you’ list. And partner with a Chicago-based managed IT services group like JMA Consultants to keep your IT system up and thriving. See the portfolio of services they offer.