The COVID-19 pandemic has done a great deal to change the face of business as we know it. That's for sure.
But what exactly does this global change mean as we continue to move forward — hopefully, up and out of the madness that COVID-19 has created?
In particular, what does it mean for technology as it relates to business?
Tom Martinez, an MSP provides IT services in Grand Rapids, MI offers up his insights into the opportunities for MSPs once or if COVID ever goes away.
Without a doubt, the biggest crutch companies of all sizes have been relying on through this pandemic has been technology. Without it, many companies and organizations simply wouldn’t have made it. For that matter, doctors’ offices, schools, and government agencies around the globe wouldn’t have made it.
One new study from NTT Ltd. suggests that because of the heavy impact technology has had on the business world, managed service provides will increasingly be in higher demand as we move forward. Pandemic or not, we now know that MSPs and the technological products and services they offer and help maintain are at the bedrock of most business’s livelihood.
What will the higher demand for MSP services look like in the months to come?
The 2020 Global Managed Services Report from NTT Ltd. makes a number of important insights concerning the value of managed service providers now and in the future. One of the most important observations it makes is the rise “in the number of organizations who expect to outsource more of their IT than they insource.” This number “almost doubles from 23% currently, to 45% in 18 months’ time.”
Without a doubt, this proves that managed service providers will become increasingly important and increasingly profitable as time moves forward. Of course, for business owners, this means that now is the time to lock down a quality managed service provider.
Don’t wait to start a contract with an MSP you feel confident about. The longer you wait to lock in a relationship, the fewer choices you’ll have. That’s because client lists tend to fill up quickly among the best-managed service providers. They cannot service unlimited clients.
When it comes to choosing an MSP, you want a company with the skill, experience, and competence. You should be able to rely on them to be there when and where you need them. Security issues and tech meltdowns can’t wait a few days (or even overnight in some cases) to be addressed and fixed. Your business relies on technology as much as it relies on its employees.
How does cybersecurity factor in?
Without a doubt, businesses are also becoming increasingly worried about their security. As such, the need for MSP security care will be rising in future months as well. These services are often on top of other tech services and contracted with the same provider; though, it’s possible to hire cybersecurity services a la carte as well.
According to the NTT Ltd. research, “57% of respondents cited security risks as a key challenge of managing IT in-house, rating the highest among all factors considered.”
Much of this has to do with the newfound need for remote access to company data and networks. An unprecedented number of employees are working from home, providing all sorts of cybersecurity issues. Cybercriminals are champing at the bit to take advantage of these holes in security, which largely include employees using:
- Unsecured home networks
- Unsecured home devices (laptops, tablets, and smartphones)
- New communication technologies like Zoom
- Emails — at an increased rate and including often-sensitive information
Is there anything more important than the security of your company’s data and networks? Could your business survive without technology for even a few hours?
If you answered no to both those questions, it’s time to lock in your contract with a trusted MSP today.
