Technology plays a pivotal role in the success of small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). However, many SMBs do not have the resources or expertise to fulfill their IT needs effectively. This is where outsourcing IT services comes in. Outsourcing allows SMBs to focus on their core business while relying on IT professionals to handle their technology requirements.
Here are key IT services that businesses should consider outsourcing.
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
Businesses do not have to go through the lengthy and costly process of developing all of their applications from scratch. They can simply use SaaS, which allows them to subscribe to the specific software applications they need. With SaaS, companies can adjust their level of usage depending on the number of users and access to premium features. SaaS apps range from basic text editors, email, and spreadsheets to artificial intelligence- and machine learning- (ML) powered apps, such as chatbots and product recommendation engines.
Software development and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)
SMBs sometimes need a custom application or ML model that is tailored to their specific needs. If that business does not have its own developers, then it can hire a software development agency.
For companies that have their own development team, they can use PaaS platforms, which provide a dedicated space for creating, testing, and deploying applications or models. Examples of PaaS are Heroku and Azure AI.
Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)
IaaS offers companies the fundamental building blocks of IT infrastructures, such as servers, storage, and networking. This allows businesses to rent the exact resources they need, when they need them, without having to purchase and maintain their own IT infrastructure. This can be a cost-effective and efficient way to meet a business’s IT needs, especially those that are growing rapidly or have fluctuating workloads. Examples of IaaS include Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, and IBM Cloud.
Read also: What are the differences between the various types of cloud computing services you offer?
IT consulting
Managed IT services providers (MSPs) can help businesses optimize their IT resources by assessing their current IT infrastructure, identifying any gaps or inefficiencies, and developing a plan to improve efficiency and productivity. MSPs can also help businesses with tasks such as networking, computing, data storage, systems monitoring, and data analytics. With the guidance of an MSP, businesses can build an internal IT infrastructure that meets their specific needs.
IT monitoring, maintenance, and support
Companies that deliver IT services, such as call centers, will normally have in-house staff to handle network and computer issues. However, other types of companies may need to rely on MSPs to provide the following services:
- IT monitoring – involves constantly tracking the health and performance of IT systems to identify and resolve problems quickly
- IT maintenance – involves regularly updating and upgrading IT systems, patching security vulnerabilities, and performing backups
- IT support – involves troubleshooting issues and resolving outages
Cybersecurity
Cyberthreats can have a devastating impact on SMBs. Some cyberthreats can make company data inaccessible by locking it away using encryption. Others can delete or steal sensitive information. Threats like denial-of-service attacks can overwhelm a network and stop it from working properly.
Reputable MSPs like Online Computers specialize in addressing and mitigating the impacts of cyberthreats. They usually provide the following services:
- Access management – involves controlling who has access to sensitive data and systems
- Dark web monitoring – involves scanning the dark web for stolen data that may be associated with the business.
- Managed detection and response – involves continuously monitoring a company network for suspicious activity and responding to incidents quickly
- Business continuity and disaster recovery – involves planning for and recovering from disasters to resume business operations quickly
Regulations compliance
Depending on their industry and the region they operate in, businesses may be required to follow a particular set of rules and regulations. For example, healthcare organizations must comply with HIPAA, while companies that do business in Europe must comply with GDPR. With so many laws being applied and amended by so many jurisdictions, businesses can benefit from a partnership with an MSP that has expertise in meeting compliance requirements.
IT has become indispensable for today’s companies — and if you’re like most of them, you need help with your IT systems. Turn to Online Computers to determine and address your business’s IT needs. Contact us to learn more.