In 2021, over 96% of surveyed Australian businesses used cloud technology, with the trend continuing to grow, driven by high adoption of ERP and CRM systems. A company that heavily relies on this technology would typically spend thousands of dollars to hire and maintain an in-house IT team.
The advancement of technology and the rising maintenance costs of IT teams are reasons businesses need managed IT.
Why Businesses Need Managed IT
Small businesses in Australia need managed IT to navigate the challenges of growth. More customers mean higher demand, potentially leading to more technological demands and challenges.
If you're experiencing tech breakdowns, increased downtime, slow network, and the like, consider availing managed IT services. These issues could lead to lower revenue and fewer customers, something you can prevent by hiring professionals.
Tech Breakdowns
Tech breakdowns are costly. Some businesses lose more money in downtimes than they would by hiring a full-time staff member to maintain their devices and systems. This is arguably the biggest reason why businesses choose managed IT services.
Computer breakdowns signal that something is wrong with the hardware and you don't have enough IT support staff. If your company has lots of computer issues, you may need to hire more IT staff to prevent downtime.
Increased Downtime
We've already discussed and its negative effect on small businesses. A few minutes of computers not functioning could cost hundreds of dollars, while hours lead to potentially thousands down the drain.
Frequent downtime is a sign you need to re-evaluate your IT approach, as it could mean your in-house team doesn't know how to fix issues or prevent them in the first place. In contrast, managed IT services typically deploy software that detects and prevents downtime-causing issues.
Missing Data
Whether it's your company's or your customer's, data is one of the most important things in business. Data breaches are a serious problem regardless of business size, as they lead to customer loss and financial/legal issues.
Regular data loss may indicate malware on your hardware. In this case, consider investing in stronger security software or hiring managed IT services to protect your system and sensitive information.
Slow Network
There are a handful of potential reasons for slow network speeds, but the main ones include network and computer issues. Old computers naturally have slower processors, which in turn result in slower system performance and network responsiveness.
At some point, old hardware turns into a liability. When this happens, you're losing more profit than you save by holding on to outdated hardware. It may be best to call in an IT expert to get your network or your devices back to normal as quickly as possible.
Unpredictable IT Costs
An in-house IT team is expensive, as you'll have to pay salaries, hardware, software licenses, and maintenance. Add emergency costs to the equation, and you may be staring down unexpected IT costs. Luckily, managed IT services offer a predictable and cost-effective solution.
You'll pay a fixed monthly fee, eliminating surprise expenses from upgrades and unexpected outages. You're also paying less for more experienced professionals and better software. Most IT technicians are generalists, meaning they can handle most issues effectively but may not specialise in any particular field.
With managed IT, you can target a specific business need by requesting specialists who can address it.
Less Customers
The biggest sign you need to consider managed IT services, or at least one you should be the most wary of, is when you start losing customers. Competitors overtaking your business doesn't always stem from technology, but it's certainly a possibility.
As mentioned, outdated hardware and poor IT systems are liabilities. Don't let these erode customer trust. Hire a managed IT services company right away. With the proper tools at your disposal, you can quickly catch up with the digital age and streamline your daily operations.
Winning back the customers you lost is difficult, but it's certainly not impossible. In addition, you're setting yourself up for the future and attracting more customers by fixing technological issues.
Common Business Objections to Managed IT
Some businesses hesitate to move to managed IT, even though the warning signs are there. Here's how they usually play out in practice.
"We're too small for managed IT"
Business owners assume managed IT is only for large companies. In reality, company size matters less than risk exposure. Small and mid-sized businesses often:
- Rely on a handful of critical systems
- Store sensitive customer or financial data
- Lack redundancy or formal security processes
When downtime occurs, smaller teams feel the impact more because there's less buffer to absorb disruption. Managed IT is about protecting the systems your business depends on, not about company size.
"We already have internal IT"
Having internal IT doesn't eliminate the need for managed services. Some organizations use managed IT to support their internal team. Some scenarios include:
- One or two IT staff supporting an entire organization
- Internal IT focused on strategic projects, not day-to-day monitoring
- No after-hours coverage or backup during vacations or turnover
Managed IT can handle routine maintenance and help desk functions, allowing internal IT to focus on higher-value initiatives. Managed IT doesn't have to be a replacement, as it's often a partnership.
"It's too expensive"
Managed IT may seem expensive, but compared to the cost of hiring your own team, the picture changes. Reactive IT may lead to:
- Lost revenue from downtime
- Emergency repair bills
- Data breaches and recovery costs
- Employee productivity loss
- Missed sales or contracts due to security concerns
Making the Shift to Managed IT
Technology is a crucial part of how modern businesses operate. When IT systems start failing, the impact is spread across the company. Frequent downtime, missing data, and unpredictable costs aren't just inconveniences; they are signs your current IT approach isn't sustainable.
Managed IT services enable businesses to shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive system management. Instead of responding to issues after they disrupt operations, enterprises gain access to ongoing monitoring and expert support that helps prevent problems in the first place.
Why piece together different IT vendors when you can have everything handled by Melbourne's most trusted IT provider? Our solutions offer more than just support; we provide a comprehensive approach that covers your business's technological needs.
Our managed service is simple. In fact, you only need to partake in three steps for peace of mind.
First, we begin with a consultation to gain a deeper understanding of your business, current IT setup, and specific IT pain points. Afterward, we design an efficient and effective managed IT service plan tailored to your needs. Lastly, our IT team will get to work while you're free to focus on your business.
Get started and give us a call today. A 15-minute chat can transform your future into one with fewer worries and more profit!
