After trying to halt the spread of the coronavirus, the United States is now trying to halt the economic downturn that the pandemic has caused. Even though a vaccine won’t be available anytime soon, each state is now allowing certain businesses to reopen in order to restart the economy in stages.
Here in New Jersey, many business leaders welcomed Gov. Phil Murphy’s announcement on the start date for stage 2 of the state’s reopening plan. But businesses struggle between the speed of reopening versus the need for public safety. New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA) President and CEO Michele Siekerka acknowledges the need for a “safe and sustainable reopening that emphasizes the health, safety and welfare of our workforce, customers, and vendors.”
For businesses to operate safely within the new normal, owners need to rethink their business models. Facilities and processes should take into account social distancing and contact tracing. Not all employees will be coming back to the offices and factories, as work from home remains a necessity. Navigating the new normal will be a challenge to all industries, especially to small- and mid-sized businesses (SMBs).
“Navigating the new normal will be a challenge to all industries.”
A few months ago, mentioning the word “zoom” would have had people thinking of fast cars. Today, the word “zoom” is synonymous with videoconferencing. What happened? People turned to technology in order to continue doing business during the pandemic. And Zoom came at an opportune time.
So, from now until a vaccine is created and even after this crisis’ effects on businesses have abated, technology will continue to play an important role in business. That’s why it’s smart for an SMB owner to partner with a managed IT services provider (MSP) during these uncertain times.
What is an MSP, and what are the benefits of partnering with one?
If your business is dependent on technology, you’ll want everything in tip-top shape. Any disruption that causes downtime can be disastrous to your operations.
But most SMBs cannot afford to hire a dedicated IT department. What you can do is outsource your IT needs to an MSP whose IT experts will manage your technology for you.
Expect the following benefits when you partner with an MSP:
#1 You’ll have flexibility with your finances
It’s a mistake to think that MSPs are only for big businesses with deep pockets. In fact, small businesses can engage the services of an MSP without burning a hole in their pocket. That’s because MSPs will recommend only what you need given the budget that you have. And since MSPs charge a fixed monthly fee, you can plan your budget accordingly.
#2 You get top-notch cybersecurity
An MSP’s IT experts will provide your network with the protection it needs. What’s more, they can train your staff to spot potential cyberattacks. Remember, your employees are part of the first line of defense against cybercriminals. And should members of your staff continue to work from home, your MSP can help ensure that their devices won’t provide a window of opportunity for hackers to enter your network.
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#3 You get the right experts with the right skills
IT specialists in New Jersey are in high demand. They earn an average base salary of $62,742 a year, which is 22% higher than the national average. But if you partner with an MSP, you get a whole team of experts in various IT fields at a fraction of the cost of hiring your own IT department. You get to consult with experts in their field and rely on 24/7 support.
#4 You’ll be able to focus on your business
Your MSP partner will proactively protect your network. They’ll make sure to regularly update and patch all your hardware and software programs. And should a problem occur, they’ll be on it immediately.
#5 Your business will be able to scale with ease
MSPs are flexible with the kinds of services and products they offer. This allows them to easily adjust to your changing needs within the new normal and beyond. When the pandemic ends and your business takes advantage of the surge in business, your partner MSP can easily scale up with you to meet the demands.
The world continues to shift dramatically, and businesses struggle to cope with the demands. It’s good to face the challenges with a trusted partner. Since 2012, Online Computers has been helping SMBs and organizations in Hanover, Morristown, and Madison to succeed and grow. If you’re interested in partnering with us, contact us today, so you can leave the technology to us.