For most businesses, their network is the backbone of their operations. It is the central infrastructure that connects all devices, enabling data transfer and communication between different parts of an organization and with clients and customers. In addition, a cloud-based infrastructure with sophisticated cybersecurity protocols is now fundamental to most business operations. While many businesses have IT teams dedicated to managing the company network, outsourcing to a managed network services provider is an increasingly popular option, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. It can save money, minimize network downtime, and ensure the most up-to-date compliance and security protocols. Let’s dive deeper into the five main reasons that you should consider outsourcing your network infrastructure to a managed network services provider.

Why Outsource Your Network?

1. Fill Gaps in Expertise & Availability

It can require a team of multiple specialized experts to properly manage even simple networks, let alone the complex networks upon which many larger businesses rely. In addition, a network needs to be up and running 24/7 to service remote workers and international customers. Maintaining a team that can provide that kind of coverage is extremely challenging and costly. In addition, rolling out a new design solution requires one set of skills, while maintaining a stable network requires a different set.

Recruiting and maintaining a comprehensive IT network team isn’t feasible for many businesses that need to prioritize investment in core operations, innovation, and growth. Working with a managed network services provider means that you get access to an IT team that already has all the network expertise needed for each phase, including planning, rollout, and maintenance, and can also provide 24/7 support.

2. Avoid a Multi-Vendor Setup

Many businesses construct, expand, and improve their network over the years as required. This often means sourcing new components on an as-needed basis from whichever suppliers and providers are providing the best technology at the best price at the time.

This often results in a network that is comprised of a mix of third-party solutions that aren’t truly designed to work together. It can also mean managing multiple complex Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with various providers and different conditions.

This can make it difficult to manage as IT teams juggle conflicting specs and must consult a variety of vendors, who may point the finger away from themselves when it comes to the cause of the problem. This can make even routine tasks and troubleshooting much more time-consuming than necessary.

Working with a managed network services provider means that you have one SLA for every aspect of your network. They are obliged to deal with the problem, no matter where it is in the network chain. They are also significantly more likely to provide solutions based on a uniform technology stack that is designed to work as a unit.

3. Greater Compliance and Security

Network solutions and cybersecurity are two of the fastest-changing technology environments. New threats are constantly being identified, regulations are frequently updated, and available solutions are always evolving. Without a team dedicated full-time to staying up to date with the latest threats and solutions, it can be extremely difficult for businesses to remain secure and compliant.

According to the findings of the Enterprise Strategy Group, each security technology requires its own management and operations, and most organizations don’t have the cybersecurity staff and skills to keep up with this.

A managed network services provider has teams dedicated to covering these elements for the various network components, meaning that you are much less likely to have gaps in your network security that can result in breaches or compliance issues.

4. More Cost Effective

Maintaining a company network is an expensive business, with your average IT professional demanding a salary of $130,000 per year. Meanwhile, the estimated cost of network downtime averages $5,600 per minute. Thus, maintaining a network becomes a very expensive business.

We have already pointed out the cost required to maintain the multi-disciplinary IT team needed to manage a network in-house. Moreover, small businesses struggle to meet the economies of scale when it comes to sourcing solutions from vendors.

Working with a managed network services provider means that you will get access to more varied expertise with greater uptime for a fraction of the cost of maintaining your own team. You also gain access to solutions built on preferred relationships with vendors and providers. The result is a better network solution that costs less and is more predictable over time.

5. Adaptability and Transformation

When businesses invest directly in network infrastructure, they become “locked in” to certain solutions. But what happens if your business needs change and you need to change your approach? It can be time-consuming and prohibitively expensive to make the underlying network changes yourself that you need to transform and grow.

Working with a managed network services provider makes upgrading and expanding your network relatively simple. Even making changes to the underlying structure of your network becomes more accessible as the provider can offer broad and varied solutions. This removes complicated network technology as a barrier to growth, innovation, and transformation.

Finding the Right Managed Network Services Provider

For most small and medium-sized businesses, it is not a question of whether a managed network service is the most cost-effective option (Hint: it is) but finding the right provider. You can read our complete guide to finding the right managed network services provider here. Main considerations include:

  • Appropriate network expertise and specialization
  • Strong references from other customers
  • Clear SLAs that align with the services you require
  • Pricing models that suit the size and needs of your business and enable scalability

If you are in Michigan, contact Elite Imaging Systems about our managed network services. We have offices in Troy, Flint, and Detroit and offer comprehensive coverage across the state. You will find an array of IT solutions to meet most business needs, 24/7 coverage to ensure maximum network uptime and bespoke solutions that cover setup, deployment, and maintenance.