Small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs) generally don’t have the resources to fully support all IT infrastructure needs. Even if your business has one or several in-house IT technicians on payroll, they’re often so bogged down by routine daily tasks that their talent is wasted. The very core of your business infrastructure is jeopardized if they’re overworked and vulnerable to error. This employee isn’t adding nearly as much value to your business as they should be. It’s not a good place for them or you.

According to the research group Gartner, over 65% of IT budgets go towards tasks that do nothing more than keep the lights on. This means SMBs investing in their technology aren’t necessarily improving operations and efficiency or enhancing their security. They’re just keeping the wheels turning.

The concept of “IT managed services” has evolved through the last decade. Today, managed service providers (MSPs) are being used by small businesses to cost- effectively manage, service and support their IT processes. MSPs are often called in as an alternative to adding additional in-house staff. Unfortunately, this also means MSPs are typically seen as a threat to the job security of any IT employee that fears they’re about to be replaced by “outsourced” help.

In this e-guide we will explain how a hybrid approach, utilizing managed services, cloud services, and internal IT support can truly be the best of all worlds. They simultaneously help SMBs achieve a greater return-on-investment (ROI) on their IT costs while allowing existing in- house IT resources to be channeled into more valuable development roles.

A Happier, Less Overwhelmed In- House IT Staff

Many of those never-ending mundane tasks performed by in-house IT support on a daily basis can be automated. While this could easily be interpreted as suggesting on-site staff aren’t necessary, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Your current IT support can leverage all of the benefits of MSP services such as:

• Proactive management
• Remote monitoring
• End-user help desk
• 24/7 network operations center
• Disaster recovery/business continuity solutions
• Security audits/updates
These services free your in-house IT support from much of the routine daily maintenance and support taking up most of their workday. This enables them to expand their role and work on more meaningful projects. They’re also happier on the job since they’re no longer perpetually overwhelmed or feeling as if they’re wearing too many hats. In this case, MSPs remove the burden of routine tasks from internal IT support, allowing them to make better use of their time. With access to the MSP ticketing and monitoring system, and support from the 24/7 Network Operations Center (NOC), in-house IT have help identifying and addressing system issues before they become business disrupting problems.

Additionally, daily interruptions like constantly having to run to Susie’s computer to figure out why her system is running slow can instead be handled by the Help Desk.

Guided Focus, Direction and Prioritization

Working with a MSP gives existing in-house IT support some much needed focus and direction. MSPs commonly offer a complimentary consultation and network assessment that evaluates the overall performance and health of your IT infrastructure. From there, the MSP will recommend the products or services most beneficial to current IT needs. This evaluation helps internal IT determine what system oversight and future planning they should be doing. A queue can be created where projects are evaluated and ranked by what’s most critical. Any regular system maintenance tasks can be performed by the MSP while in-house IT can focus on processes that will drive down costs or potentially increase revenue.

Fewer Instances of Failure and Human Error

A high percentage of costly security breaches are the result of human error. This is often because IT employees are stretched too thin and overlook vital security measures, such as applying tested security patches or updating anti-virus software programs. Working with a MSP will eliminate much of the work overload that often leads to system or security vulnerabilities. Systems can be backed up in the cloud for an immediate full system restore if needed. Internal IT support will no longer bear sole responsibility for the constant availability and security of stored data.

Many of the issues that become costly business disruptions for SMBs, such as downtime-inducing hardware, software, and application failures, are completely preventable if they’re detected and addressed early enough.

It’s a reality that your systems run 24/7, but you likely don’t have the resources right now for a 24/7 IT staff.

Existing in-house IT support will find their workload to be much more manageable with the help of MSP services like the Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) tool and the 24/7 NOC. Systems are monitored around-the-clock through a comprehensive interface that can even be viewed on a mobile device. Alerts will notify the in-house IT staff of any potentially threatening issues on the horizon.

SUMMARY

Many SMBs have some incredibly gifted and skilled IT employees on staff that are burdened with way too any responsibilities and tend to get stuck in a routine each day. These employees would be solid contributors to your business if they weren’t running around extinguishing tech fires and handling monotonous tasks that are below their skill-level.

A good MSP acts as an extension of the business they’re servicing. SMBs and MSPs will work very closely together but caution must be taken, as any internal IT staff will likely consider a MSPs presence to be intrusive and a threat to their job security.

SMBs must convince their internal staff that embracing the cloud and leveraging the service desk and RMM tools of a MSP will only make their jobs more manageable and less stressful. Freeing them from manual tasks will allow them to work on projects that matter- developing applications, concepts, and strategies that will benefit the company or organization’s bottom line rather than spending the day tending to the intern’s computer after she clicked a malicious link in a phishing email. Your existing on-site IT support can do much more for your business as you cut costs by exploiting the industry’s best practices, latest tools, and newest technology.

15-Point IT and Security Assessment Gives You and Your Team Complete Peace Of Mind:

At no cost or obligation, our highly trained team of IT pros will come to your office and conduct a comprehensive 15 Point IT and Security Assessment to uncover loopholes in your company’s IT security and structure.

After the audit is done, we’ll prepare a customized “Report Of Findings” that will reveal specific vulnerabilities and provide a Prioritized Action Plan for getting these technology problems addressed fast. This report and action plan should be a real eye-opener for you since almost all of the businesses we’ve done this for discover they are completely exposed in a number of areas to various threats.

To Get Started And Claim Your Assessment, Go Here Now: www.123onit.com/not-just-lucky or call our office at 210-263-3810.

Don’t delay! Because of the intense one-on-one time required to deliver these Cyber-Security Audits, we can only extend this offer to the first 7 who respond by March 31st.

* In order to qualify for this offer, you must be a company with 5 or more PCs.

Areas Covered

We provide a wide range of IT Outsourcing services in San Antonio as well as, cloud services, computer IT support, network services and data backup plans to get rid of computer problems to businesses throughout south Texas and Schertz, Seguin, Boerne, Canyon Lake, Stone Oak, Universal City, Pleasanton, Castle Hills, Leon Valley, Converse, Shavano Park, Cibolo, Olmos Park, Live Oak, Timberwood Park, New Braunfels.

IT Outsourcing management in San Antonio with local experts who can help and visit your business to resolve computer problems: Cloud services, IT Support San Antonio, Stone Oak IT Consulting, Leon Valley Network Services, San Antonio Data Backup Plan and Disaster Recovery, Stone Oak Information Technology Consulting and San Antonio Anti-Virus and Data Security.

Online Security – Are Your Finances Protected Online?

Online Security and 9 Steps To Take Now To Be Certain Your Finances Are Protected Online

Seems like we’ve been inundated over the past 6 months with rampant cybertheft and breaches to online security. Target, Nieman Marcus, Yahoo and even mysterious $9.84 credit-card charges. Unfortunately, in the world we live in, this is most likely the norm going forward and not just a blip on the radar.

So, how can you stay protected online with the maximum online security? While there is no way to absolutely, positively, 100% stay safe online, by taking these 9 steps, you will be as safe as possible.

1. Only Shop On Secure Websites. Before you type your credit card into a website, ensure it is secure. Look for “https://” in the address bar of your web browser when you are checking out.

2. Avoid Financial Transactions Over Public Wifi. You can’t guarantee that free or shared WiFi access have online security. Ok to connect for browsing the web, but avoid financial transactions on these connections.

3. Use A Secure Network For Financial Transactions. Protect your computer with a firewall, antivirus and anti-spyware software.

4. Setup Banking Alerts For Unusual Or Large Transactions. Ask your bank to notify you of any suspicious or large transactions.

5. Use Credit Cards Instead Of Debit Cards. Most credit cards offer better fraud protection, plus if money is stolen from a debit card, then it has already left your bank account.

6. Pick Complex Passwords. Use phrase acronyms and keyboard combinations for strong online security. Never use repeat passwords or words in the dictionary for your financial accounts.

7. Never Directly Answer Or Respond To An Email From Your Bank. Criminals have become very adept at appearing that they are a financial institution when they are not. Never rely on links in emails to access your financial accounts.

8. Install Available Security Updates On Your Computer, SmartPhone and Tablets. Many cybercrimes target known security holes on your computing devices. Stay up to date to stay within online security parameters.

9. Check Your Bank Balances And Statements Regularly. Good ol’-fashioned visual checks on your balances and a scan of your transactions are the best practice to be sure that nothing has slipped through the cracks.

Free 43-Point Business Online Security Audit Gives You Peace Of Mind

At no cost or obligation, our highly trained team of IT pros will come to your office and conduct a comprehensive Cyber-Online Security Audit to uncover loopholes in your company’s online security.

Get yours FREE today through April 30th! Click here

Areas Covered

We provide a wide range of complete computer support in San Antonio as well as network services and IT consulting to businesses in Schertz, Seguin, Boerne, Canyon Lake, Stone Oak, Universal City, Castle Hills, Leon Valley, Shavano Park, Cibolo, Olmos Park, New Braunfels and throughout Southern Texas.

Local experts who can help and visit your business on-site: IT Support and Computer Support in San Antonio, Stone Oak IT Consulting, Leon Valley Network Services, San Antonio Backup and Disaster Recovery, Stone Oak Information Technology Consulting and San Antonio Anti-Virus and Security.

IT Outsourcing, Why More Companies Are Shifting Everyday

IT Outsourcing. Why More Companies Are Shifting Everyday

If a heavy IT department is a drain on your company, IT outsourcing services can help free up cash and assets for what’s essential .

Operating an IT department can cost a business considerable time and funds. In fact, a lot of organization managers joke that their IT department is the largest division in their organization, and they don’t actually sell IT!

The difficulty: IT department bloat

IT divisions frequently work as tiny empires within a company. IT personnel can make unilateral choices on the gear, computer software and services to get, the ideal technology to use, and how to maintain training current. Business owners without technological background can find it demanding to challenge the choices and expenses, which can result in a spiralling IT spending budget and ever-growing payroll. And financial officers are very well conscious of the difficulties of managing a team when they don’t have a definite knowledge of what their functions are.

These kind of troubles could cause significant friction within a business. As stated in numerous entrepreneurial publications, the terms that small business leaders most typically link to IT departments include: ‘complex’, ‘costly’, ‘always very late’ and ‘out of touch with reality’. Far worse, a lot of companies will never obtain complete value from their internal IT personnel. Almost all IT departments are going to have idle periods of time, and devote precious staff-time on the repetitive, day to day grind of elementary IT support or simply, their personnel just don’t possess the appropriate abilities. So when there are significant security or difficulties, outside specialists must be engaged to come across a remedy. Do any of these complications seem familiar? If so, your small business might benefit from a general change in the approach the IT department is organized.

The answer: IT Outsourcing services

By outsourcing IT services, your organization could immediately reduce capital spending (for instance, on brand new equipment or computer software) and staff expenses, instead investing in solutions only in case you need them. An IT department can after that be consolidated down to 1 or 2 vital employees – based on the size of the company – supported by outside professionals with appropriate and updated expertise whenever the need arises.

Outside IT providers might supply the basic ‘helpdesk’ assistance that so frequently uses up the precious time of in-house staff, freeing up these essential personnel to focus on tactically central projects. For small or medium sized businesses, IT outsourcing services can also deliver having access to a larger variety of abilities and skills than a sole technician may offer. No one staff member could be proficient in handling all of the technologies – and provide you with network and website development skills too. But one single agreement with an IT managed services company may well deliver all of that.

There are absolutely no financial surprises either. As opposed to inconstant and unanticipated expenses, IT spending can easily be limited to a single, expected payment – an enormous relief for the owners of small and medium sized companies. And this expense is linked with a Service Level Agreement to guarantee the business’ requirements are met.

A 2011 evaluation by CompTIA, included businesses relying upon outside IT professional solutions for at least some of their IT. Close to half of them asserted that doing this had permitted them to cut expenditures by a quarter or more. 14% said they experienced a cut in annual IT expenses by over fifty percent. What’s more, 60% were so pleased that they prepared to obtain IT outsourcing services further by 2014. Network management, maintenance and help desk, databases assistance and applications help, were among the solutions that organizations intend to shift to outside providers.

Seize control now – contact us today and start controlling your cash and ultimately your company.

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IT Outsourcing Isn’t A Dirty Word: Meet Managed Services, Your IT Team’s New Best Friend

IT OUTSOURCING: AN INTRODUCTION