Businesses are increasingly turning to managed services providers (MSPs) to ensure their IT infrastructure is robust, secure, and efficient. However, as the reliance on these services grows, so do the challenges faced by both providers and clients.
| “A successful MSP navigates the challenges of technology, security, and compliance by remaining agile, client-focused, and committed to continuous improvement,” – Rob Gluckin, Chief Executive Officer, GTG Networks |
Those challenges, while meaningful, pale in comparison to the benefits. For example, saving your business from downtime can save you between $400 and $9000 per minute. Additionally, about 60% of small businesses go out of business within 6 months of a successful attack and an IT partner can help you avoid that.
With stakes this high, it’s critical that your business leverages top-level technology support while sidestepping the challenges and pitfalls.
This blog delves into the key challenges of working with IT managed services – and how to avoid them so you get the most out of your technology partner.
The Challenges
Cybersecurity Threats
As the sophistication of cyber threats increases, so does the challenge for MSPs to secure their clients’ IT environments. While working with an MSP allows your business to close potential vulnerabilities, if the MSP itself is not secure, hackers may attempt to breach it and gain access to your business through the very IT support you hired to keep you safe.
Regulatory Compliance & Data Privacy
Navigating the complex web of regulatory compliance and ensuring data privacy is another hurdle. IT managed services challenges encompass staying updated with laws and regulations across different regions and industries. In other words, working with an MSP that doesn’t have experience in your industry could lead to potential issues with regulatory bodies.
Infrastructure Management
As businesses scale, their needs change. Too often, businesses find MSPs that are good enough for their current needs, but can’t handle the addition of new revenue streams, workers, networks, etc. This aspect of managed services providers challenges involves resource allocation, maintaining service quality during scale, and investing in infrastructure that supports growth.
Client Expectations and Service Customization
Aligning services with client expectations and customizing offerings to meet specific needs is a balancing act. Managed services challenges in this area include finding an MSP that understands your business and its unique needs, delivering tailored solutions and managing the scope of services to prevent overextension.
Overcoming the Challenges
In order to avoid the above challenges, you’ll want to find an MSP that features the following:
Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations
To keep pace with technological advancements, MSPs can forge partnerships with tech companies and participate in industry consortia. This approach facilitates access to the latest technologies and industry best practices. Put succinctly: find MSPs that have the correct access to resources and leading technology to ensure they can keep up with your needs.
Comprehensive Security Framework
Implementing a multi-layered security strategy that includes regular updates, employee training, and incident response plans can mitigate cybersecurity threats. Regular audits and adherence to security standards further bolster defenses. You’ll want to find an MSP that offers at least the above.
| Challenge | Strategy for Overcoming |
| Technological Advancements | Forge strategic partnerships with leading technology firms and actively participate in industry consortia to gain early access to emerging technologies and best practices. Engage in continuous staff training to ensure skills remain up-to-date. |
| Cybersecurity Threats | Develop a comprehensive, multi-layered security strategy that includes the latest encryption technologies, regular security training for staff, and an incident response plan. Conduct frequent security audits and assessments to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities. |
| Regulatory Compliance & Privacy | Implement continuous monitoring tools specifically designed for compliance management across various regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA). Establish dedicated teams to stay abreast of regulatory changes and ensure all client data is handled according to the latest privacy laws. |
| Scaling & Infrastructure | Adopt cloud services for their scalability and flexibility, allowing for rapid adjustment of resources in line with client growth and demands. Invest in scalable infrastructure that supports expansion without compromising service quality. |
| Client Expectations & Customization | Establish regular communication channels with clients to understand their unique business needs and goals. Utilize feedback loops to tailor services accordingly and ensure the provision of highly personalized solutions. Invest in technology that supports service customization and flexibility. |
Continuous Compliance Monitoring
MSPs can leverage compliance management tools and dedicate teams to monitor regulatory changes. This proactive approach ensures that services remain compliant and data privacy is maintained across jurisdictions.
Leveraging Cloud Solutions for Scalability
Cloud services offer a viable solution to scaling challenges, providing MSPs with flexible resources that can be adjusted according to client needs and growth patterns.
Client-Centric Service Design
Understanding clients’ business goals and challenges is crucial. MSPs can achieve this through regular communication, feedback loops, and customized service offerings that directly address clients’ unique requirements.
Avoid Managed IT Services Challenges With GTG Networks
The best way to avoid managed IT service challenges is to choose the right partner. When you do that all of the above issues won’t even surface.
GTG Networks can be that partner. We have over a decade of experience serving a wide array of industries such as healthcare, finance, construction, and legal firms nationwide.
We have a commitment to delivering comprehensive IT solutions tailored to the unique needs of each business underscores their capability to address the nuanced demands of managed IT services.
Our best-in-class managed IT services include:
- Network assessments
- Network monitoring
- IT support
- Cloud solutions
- Cybersecurity
- Compliance support
Reach out today to learn how you can get maximally efficient technology.