Reasons Your Business Needs Managed IT Support To Go Digital Right Now
(This blog was originally published in 2021 and has been updated for 2024)
If we asked you what has been the major challenge your business has faced recently, what would you say? In 2021, many UK companies would mention their struggles with transitioning to a digital environment to survive Covid-19. These struggles haven’t changed since then and there is still a large number of businesses who haven’t adopted digital technology, whether that is by not using cloud computing, social media, or online advertising.
Technology is characterised by the fast pace at which it evolves. However, over the past few years, the pace has increased to the point of being almost unmanageable. The UK is now a world leader for emerging technologies such as AI, and the tech sector has been growing faster than the whole UK economy, around 7% each year. If you own a small or medium-sized business and this resonates with you, know that you’re not alone. The pressure to go digital is felt by organisations of all sizes all around the world.
How can small businesses manage a digital transformation?
Having said that, the pressure may feel stronger for owners of small businesses, who may not have the resources to cope with changes of this magnitude and at the same time keep customers engaged. But there’s a silver lining: by using a managed IT support company, you will show your customers that your business can adjust and excel under pressure.
Managed IT services, such as Fuse Collaboration Services, collaborate with their clients to improve their digital landscape. They do this through services such as cybersecurity, cloud computing, digital asset management, state-of-the-art software, firmware and hardware, and ongoing training.
If this isn’t enough motivation, consider these three reasons to use managed IT support to go digital now:
1. IT Support Services Improve Cybersecurity
Companies have been moving their operations to the digital sphere. This means that the amount of sensitive data that circulates online has increased too. Privacy and security are very valuable to customers, and a solid digital transition can help gain trust and increase loyalty among your customer base. Upgrading your IT security posture to include Cyber Essentials certification for example, not only leads to less cyber insurance claims, but also increases the trust companies get from consumers.
Having anti-virus software installed on your work devices is a manageable way for an individual to look after their data to a certain extent. Where a managed IT service is different, is they will also run regular vulnerability tests, manage updates across all devices and undertake regular training to understand current and future threats. Things you really, understandably, just don’t have time to do yourself.
2. Managed IT Companies Can Increase Their Client’s Agility
The majority of businesses have an uneasy relationship with change. Learning to manage it effectively can be an enormous competitive advantage. Agility is key when dealing with uncertain situations. Here are some benefits that becoming more digital brings:
Better Data Analysis
You will get more out of your data as your new IT provider gives you access to new data storage and analytics tools. Suddenly having access applications like Microsoft Power BI and Microsoft Access, and using them properly, has been proven to reduce silos and increase productivity.
Improved Scalability
In the current situation, it’s hard to predict where or whether you’ll need to scale back or scale up. Building scalability into your IT systems can help mitigate the effects of uncertainty and get your business ready for change. Planning for the future is part of the services a managed IT company will provide, taking the shape of applications such as SharePoint or managing hardware assets.
Healthier Communication
Good communication aids growth, both within a company and between a business and its customers. Managed IT support will introduce reliable devices, safer networks, collaboration tools, and other communication channels (such as VoIP), to enhance the communications between employees. This can either directly or indirectly affect customers in a positive way.
3. IT Support Providers Deliver Cost Saving for Businesses
If implemented according to your unique needs, digital transformation can help reduce costs. Digital tools like analytics and automation can make business processes more productive, because:
- They reduce operating costs.
- Increase profitability.
- They drive revenue by supporting an excellent customer experience.
A real world example of this, is that buying cyber insurance can be cheaper if you have Cyber Essentials certification. Moreover, in a poll cited by Amazon Web Services, “80% of businesses using cloud agreed that cloud computing has made it easier for their business to compete with bigger enterprises” which can lead to increasing revenue because of winning bigger contracts.
How do you engage a managed IT support company?
Professional support is the key to the entire process of digital transformation. Remember that you don’t have to do this alone. At Fuse Collaboration Services, we help smoothly transition your core business functions to the digital sphere with bespoke solutions and ongoing support. Start by simply filling out our contact us form and we’ll get back to you.
About the author
Fuse is a Microsoft Partner, based in Northampton. We help organisations of all sizes to maximise IT efficiencies through the use of Microsoft cloud computing solutions.
