Are You Happy With The ROI of Your Information Technology Person/Team/Provider?

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One of our clients (for the sake of privacy we’ll call them Acme Distribution) started with a “break-fix” IT strategy. Acme had computer equipment, a network and some knowledge about how to fix simple issues (resetting passwords, adding a user, etc.).

However, when more complex issues came up (e-mail not working, printers not printing, hardware failures, viruses and network issues), Acme paid service providers to fix those issues. Some months the cost was minimal. Some months the cost was tens of thousands of dollars.

One month a relatively new computer virus cost the company $28,000 because all but a few computers were infected, including their server. Their systems were down for 3 days and only partially working for 3 more days. The costs of system downtime, lost productivity and customer dissatisfaction was in addition to the $28,000 in fees paid to fix the problem. Acme estimated their total cost for this incident was more than $70,000.

There is a Better Way– But Beware!

Acme wanted to find a way for their IT expenses to be stable and predictable. They looked into managed services contracts. They interviewed three companies and entered into an agreement with a provider at what they thought was a reasonable price.

Unfortunately, what they found out was that managed services providers provide two levels of service. In the fine print of their agreement, they discovered they had entered into a network “monitoring” agreement.

Acme’s provider “monitored” their network and provided support up to five hours per month. In the third month of their agreement, after a problem that involved both hardware and a network problem, Acme received an invoice for $18,134 for support above and beyond their “fixed price” agreement.

Beware of the low-priced managed services “monitoring” agreement.

In the following few months, Acme considered hiring two IT employees because they believed it might be less expensive than paying an outside provider. However, they soon realized that their internal solution would be expensive and limited to the knowledge of their two IT employees.

Acme’s CFO attended a webinar about managed services agreements that were truly flat fee, no-surprises agreements. He asked for a proposal and experienced sticker shock when reviewing the proposal. The agreement included everything including hardware replacement for a flat monthly fee – guaranteed.

As he read the proposal, he was shocked to discover that the network assessment done on their IT systems by the professional level managed services provider showed:

• Out of date virus software
• a Trojan horse virus that had given hackers remote access to their accounting system.
• 4 viruses (not yet active) that got into the network by employees copying files from flash drives
• Three network hard drives that were sending alerts about their imminent failure (all at least five years old)
• a cloud-backup solution that had stopped working

If there was any good news, Acme was lucky their system had not (yet) been attacked by ransomware. Ransomware locks and encrypts the company’s data and then demands payment to unlock and decrypt the data.

In the end, after adding up all the costs, lost productivity, risks and likely future issues/costs, Acme found that an all-inclusive, flat fee professional level managed services agreement was far less expensive than any other solution. In addition, it’s a much better solution than relying on the current knowledge of two IT employees with limited knowledge.
Consider your options:

• With “break-fix” agreements, you get low cost, but you take all the risks
• With a “monitoring” agreement, it’s no different than the CHECK ENGINE light on your car’s dashboard
• When you consider:
o the risks, potential downtime, data loss and lost productivity
o along with the assurance that you IT system is always protected and up to date
o AND the peace of mind you’ll have instead of wondering what will go wrong next
a fixed price, no surprises managed services agreement is probably the most cost effective route to go.

If you’re interested in exploring your options, contact us. We would be happy to help.

Natural Disasters and Data Recovery Plans

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We don’t want to think about possible negative situations when it comes to our lives or our businesses. Planning for disasters means that we’re able to quickly recover from their consequences. In our previous blogs on data disaster recovery, we’ve covered how to plan for disasters and what types of disasters to consider when writing a data recovery plan. In this blog, we’ll take a look at the main points as a refresher.


The key elements of data recovery plans

A good disaster recovery plan will have assigned roles and responsibilities to different team members in advance. Planning ahead should ensure there is no time wasted when a disaster occurs. Having clearly defined roles means that team members can get on with their tasks quickly to mitigate the effects of a disaster.


Another important point is the identification of which assets are critical to operating the business. In a disaster, you need to know which things to protect and sort out first to enable business operations to continue. If someone spends too much time dealing with a puddle on the floor instead of dealing with customer calls, for example, your business could be in turmoil.


Backing up data is a must for every business. You’re on a dangerous path if you don’t have a plan in place for regular data backups. After all, you can’t recover your data after a disaster if you haven’t backed it up. Businesses must also consider whether they need to back up their IT infrastructure using a ‘cold site’ (a basic version of their infrastructure off-premises) or a ‘hot site’ (up-to-date data backups). As you can guess, the more data you back up, the better off you’ll be.


Types of disasters to plan for

It’s difficult to plan for any eventuality; however, there are certain things that all businesses should consider.


Disasters can include technological disasters like:


• Data breaches
• Hacking
• Ransomware

Or natural disasters like:


• Earthquakes
• Tsunamis
• Volcanoes
• Flooding
• Tornados
• Pandemics

The impacts of any of these disasters are huge. Essentially, they can result in a business completely folding. Depending on the type of disaster, there could be all sorts of consequences. For example, the loss of supply chains, loss of assets and buildings, loss of life or personnel, and the loss of data. Since these consequences can be disastrous, it’s important for all businesses, regardless of size, to have contingency plans for disasters.


Planning for disasters

Businesses need to have contingency plans for dealing with disasters of every possible type. Different companies will, of course, have different needs.  However, some things are necessary for all businesses to include in their data recovery strategy plan. These include data, insurance, finances, resources, personnel, technology, compliance requirements, and the supply chain.


Types of disaster data recovery

There are a variety of options when it comes to data recovery. Perhaps the simplest method is backup. Your data is stored on or off-premises, or both for extra safety. However, relying solely on data backup gives minimal protection for businesses. If there is no backup of the IT infrastructure as well, there could be even bigger issues.


An effective data recovery plan needs strategies and procedures for backups. You should know who will perform the backups and how often they will be done. Those responsible for data backups must also work out the business’s recovery time. Calculate the amount of time the organization can be ‘down’ after a disaster and work from there.


The data recovery strategy should be tested and updated continually to protect the business from new threats. In this way, the business will be able to navigate challenges successfully. Planning a response to a cyberattack ahead of time will make sure your team will know what to do.


Final thoughts

Whatever your business and size, the ultimate aim is to ensure you’re well protected and have plans in place for any type of disaster. If you’re struggling to finalize your plans or even start writing one, get in touch with us for a free consultation.

Do You Have A Data Recovery Plan?

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You might be aware that disasters of varying types can have devastating consequences on businesses. The key to mitigating such occurrences is to have a data recovery strategy plan in place. This means that you have a structured and documented approach detailing how your organization can resume work quickly after an unforeseen disaster. This is an essential tool for your company’s continuity plan and applies to all parts of the organization that is dependent on your IT infrastructure. This data recovery plan will help you resolve any data loss and will allow the recovery of your system’s functionality. This means that you can continue operating your business with minimal disruption.

Types of Disasters to consider

Potential disasters are plentiful. We’re not just talking about hacking and data breaches, but natural disasters too. Being able to handle disasters efficiently means there will be minimal impact financially. Having a data recovery strategy plan will allow you to ensure that all requirements for compliance are met. The plan will also provide a clear recovery roadmap. Here are some of the potential disasters that might affect your businesses:

• Building disaster (Fire, power outage, etc.)

• Communication failure (Due to data breach, hacking or natural disaster)

• Application failure (Outdated hardware, viruses, etc.)

• Datacenter disaster (Hacking, data breach, natural disaster)

• City disaster (Earthquake, tornado, flood, etc.)

• Regional disaster (Power grid outage, wildfires, etc.)

• National disaster (Epidemic)

• Multinational disaster (Pandemic, computer viruses, ransomware)

You can see that this list covers lots of different types of disasters. It’s worth noting, however, that it’s not exhaustive. When making data recovery strategy plans, businesses need to consider their potential individual circumstances. If you’re based in the Midwest, for example, it’s very unlikely that your business will be affected by a volcanic eruption. But there are other natural disasters like floods or tornados that are more likely to happen. With that said, the 2010 Iceland volcanic eruption had repercussions worldwide, so you never know!

Considerations for your Data Recovery Plan

A data recovery strategy plan should begin at the business level. You need to determine what infrastructure is most important to your organization. The plan should implement an RTO (a recovery time objective), which describes how much time each application could be down for as a target.

A data recovery strategy defines your business’s plan for incident response. To determine your optimal data recovery strategy, you must consider the following issues:

• Resources (both facilities and personnel)

• Finances

• Insurance

• Data

• Technology

• Risks

• Compliance requirements

• The supply chain

How to write a Data Recovery Strategy Plan

A business can start its plan by prioritizing a list of contacts and vital software programs so that the most important information is easily and quickly accessible.

The data recovery plan should define each team member’s role and responsibilities in the recovery process. This is so there is no panic or time wasted should an unexpected disaster occur.

There are many important points to write into a data recovery plan. These include:

• A policy statement or statement of intent.

• Specific tasks assigned to staff.

• Goals of the plan.

• Passwords and other authentication tools essential to data recovery.

• Geographical factors and risks appropriate to the local, regional or national area.

• Advice on dealing with the media.

• Legal and financial information with points of action.

A history of the plan – and any amendments that have been made to it.

As you can see, being prepared for these events is not difficult, but it will take some time. It is, however, very important that you take the time to complete it. You should also run through the plan in a mock rehearsal. That way you’ll find out if you’ve missed any steps or if there are gaps in your plan.

The bottom line is, you want to be as prepared as possible for any disaster that causes data loss. After all, keeping your doors open when other’s can’t sure makes you the popular choice over your competitors.

If you need advice or want help to build your data recovery strategy plan, don’t hesitate to contact us. You can book a consultation at any time.

How Natural Disasters, Breaches, and Hackers Affect Businesses Big and Small

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The success of a business is often attributed to the strong decisions of its management. Yet, that is not the entire story. Often, both failure and success can be determined by how a business deals with situations out of its control. A business may fail because it wasn’t prepared for an unexpected event. Conversely, another business might be able to survive a natural disaster simply because it had a plan in place for such an event.
All businesses, whether large or small, have lots of potential threats. If one of these threats happens, it can have devastating consequences. According to ZDNet, the top three threats to society include cyberattacks, natural disasters, and extreme weather. Interestingly, they put cyberattacks on the same level of devastation as extreme weather and natural disasters. It is unfortunately true. The consequences of natural disasters, breaches, and hackers lead to threats to businesses and data loss. Since many businesses rely on connected services and the internet, the damage from cyberattacks can be huge. It’s one of the biggest risks the world faces today.

Types of natural disasters

There are many types of natural disasters. All of them can affect businesses and data loss. Here are some examples of natural disasters:
• Earthquake
• Fire
• Tsunami
• Flooding or extreme precipitation
• Hurricane, tornado, cyclone
• Volcanoes
• Lightning
• Famine and drought
• Landslide
• Extreme temperature (heat or cold)
• And, as we’ve seen, pandemics

Impact of natural disasters

Before we delve into exploring businesses and data loss from natural disasters, we can’t ignore the devastating results of these natural phenomena outside in general. According to Our World in Data, there are around 60,000 deaths from natural disasters worldwide. The deadliest of natural disasters is usually an earthquake. Typically, natural disasters affect poorer populations more heavily. This is often due to a lack of protective dwelling construction or adequate response to the event.

How does disaster impact businesses? 

No one is ever 100% prepared for a disaster. Whether the disaster is an earthquake, tornado, or flood, an organization’s plans can be thrown into disarray. There might be a breakdown in supply chains. Maybe employees are unable to reach the premises. Or there may be damage to the facilities, equipment, or the power or internet may be down. In any disaster, including the technological kind, a business will need to find ways to deal with the situation at hand. This is why it is important for all businesses, regardless of size, to have contingency plans for disasters. It should be a priority.

How can businesses plan for natural disasters?

Businesses should ensure they look at their entire operation and consider how a natural disaster might disrupt every branch. It’s not just about planning emergency evacuation routes or having emergency supplies. Businesses also need to consider things like how to contact employees if connections are down.
Depending on the business type, an organization might also need to think about how to sort out their supply chain if they are unable to access the major transit routes due to natural disasters. Having an alternative plan if facilities can’t be used is a must for survival.

Natural disasters, data breaches, and hackers for businesses, and data loss

While we’re talking about disasters that affect businesses, we must also consider technological disasters like hackers and data breaches. These can have just as much of an impact on businesses and data loss. In some parts of the world, these events are more likely than a natural disaster. According to Forbes, hackers and cybercrime are more devastating to business operations than a Transit Strike, a Fire, and even Floods for small and medium-sized businesses.

Final thoughts

While we can’t prevent any of these disasters from causing problems for businesses and data loss, there are steps that we can take to reduce their impact. The main takeaway is to plan for all possible scenarios. For the impact of events to be reduced, there must be a detailed process in place. One solution is an on-site BDR (Backup, Disaster, Recovery) unit. A BDR automatically backs up all your data every 15 minutes. It is connected to an auxiliary power unit so it can back up everything when the power goes out. There are also Cloud solutions that backup your data safely, in multiple locations. This ensures that your data is always available, no matter what happens. If you have any questions about Backup solutions or would like to change the ways you are currently saving your data, contact us any time. As your Managed Service Provider, the safety of your data is our concern too.

Why is Disaster Data Recovery Important For Business?

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What does disaster data recovery mean? This term describes the method businesses use to regain access to stored information after a disruptive event. Any event, like a cyberattack, ransomware, a natural disaster, or even something new like the Covid-19 pandemic. When data is lost, businesses can employ a variety of methods for their disaster data recovery plan.

How does disaster data recovery work? 

Disaster data recovery relies on the data being replicated in an off-site location that has not been affected by the outage. When a server goes down due to a cyberattack, equipment failure, or a natural disaster, businesses can recover their lost data from a backup location. When the data is backed up on the Cloud, businesses can access their data remotely so they can continue to operate.

What are some key elements of effective disaster data recovery plans? 

We need a plan! A data recovery team will assign specialists to create, implement and manage the data recovery plan. Should a disaster occur, the data recovery team will facilitate communication with employees, customers, and vendors.

Risk evaluations. An effective data recovery plan needs to assess all potential hazards. Depending on the type of disaster, the risk assessment will dictate what needs to happen for the business to resume operations. For example, if there were a cyberattack, what measures will the data recovery team use in response? A natural disaster will require a different response.

Identification of critical assets. For a disaster data recovery plan to be effective, it needs to include a list of all assets. Vital resources, systems, and applications that are critical to the business are at the top of the list. Next, it’s important to have the steps that need to be implemented to recover the data.

Backing up your data. An effective data recovery plan needs strategies and procedures for backups. You should know who will perform the backups and how often they will be done. Those responsible for data backups must also work out the business’s recovery time. Calculate the amount of time the organization can be ‘down’ after a disaster and work from there.

Optimization and testing. The data recovery strategy should be tested and updated continually to protect the business from new threats. In this way, the business will be able to navigate challenges successfully. Planning a response to a cyberattack ahead of time will make sure your team will know what to do.

Types of disaster data recovery 

There are a variety of options when it comes to data recovery. Perhaps the simplest method is backup. Your data is stored on or off-premises, or both for extra safety. However, relying solely on data backup gives minimal protection for businesses. If there is no backup of the IT infrastructure as well, there could be even bigger issues. For example, are your critical programs backed up as well?

 Using DRaaS – Disaster Recovery as a Service

DRaaS is another way in which businesses can protect their data and infrastructure in the event of a disaster. Your business’s computer processing happens on the DRaaS cloud infrastructure. This means that the business can continue to operate seamlessly, even if its servers are down. A DRaaS plan can be either a pay-per-use or a subscription model. A similar solution is Back UP as a Service. But this only backs up data and not infrastructure.

 Why is IT disaster recovery important? 

There exists no business that can ignore disaster data recovery. Having a plan in place for this means that businesses can protect themselves from closure. Most businesses can’t even afford to close for one extra day. With a strategy in place for disaster data recovery, businesses will be able to get back to normal operations much more quickly. They might even be able to continue operating as normal. Why would anyone risk their business without a Backup Disaster Recovery plan?

As your Managed Service Provider, we can assist you with your Backup Disaster Recovery (BDR) plan. You know how valuable your data is. Don’t run the risk of losing it! Contact us today and we can go over our data recovery solutions.

True Cloud vs. Fake Cloud

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If you are thinking it is time to embrace a fully integrated ERP system, or replace your aging ERP system you will find an overwhelming number of choices.  How do you know which is best for you?  You will find expert advice for comparing solutions, but they may miss one of the most critical choices that should be at the top of your criteria list. Is the solution truly a cloud based solution, or is it a wolf in sheep’s clothing?  Many “cloud” solutions are simply repackaged older technology on-premise solutions that are being run on a cloud server, but lack True Cloud features.

 

It is more than using mobile devices

True cloud software supports all mobile devices without requiring additional software. However, just being mobile doesn’t provide the benefits you need to compete.  When it comes to growing your business, speed is the name of the game. Your bottom line depends on your ability to exploit new business opportunities before your competitors do.  Post Covid distribution businesses are getting squeezed in the supply chain and  keeping up with customer demand.  New warehouses are springing up everywhere and one is bigger than the other.  Skilled labor is impossible to hire and you will have a wide variety of computer skills levels in your employee base.

 

It is about making more with less

As a distribution Business Owner you are looking for ways to fill more orders faster – with less people.  Your purchasing department needs to know what is selling, what stock is in low status and they have to do that without having a 2 hour meeting with the warehouse manager.  Centralized information is key, and a True cloud system that is easy to use and accessible to all employees all the time is the vehicle to make that happen.  When cloud technology is deployed to its fullest potential, it can remove the biggest obstacles to productivity at all stages of the business. Removing the barriers to getting information into the system improves the executive decision making process.  After all, the best decisions are made when you have better information with which to weigh those decisions. Deciding to take a hit or stand while playing blackjack is easier if you know what cards have already been played from the deck.

 

Get your complimentary white paper

CCS Technology and Acumatica want to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision. Our True Cloud vs. Fake Cloud: How Companies Can Tell the Difference in Distribution whitepaper breaks down what it means to be a true cloud solution—and how its distinct advantages define truly effective ERP software.

You’ll learn:

  • Why mobile devices alone can’t meet the need for real-time information
  • The 4 ways an industry-specific cloud solution can enhance your productivity
  • Not all clouds are equal—“hosted” legacy software poses risks
  • How to identify a true cloud software for maximum ROI

DOWNLOAD IT NOW

What does “built for the cloud” really mean–and why does it matter? Find out in our complimentary whitepaper.

Acumatica – The Cloud ERP #1 in Customer Satisfaction and Usability

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Is your current accounting/ERP system delivering the actionable business insights you need?

 

The right ERP system uses the latest cloud technology, is easy to use and works the way your company does business.

 

“Acumatica achieved high levels of user satisfaction compared to similar ERP products in the market.” – Rob Light, research principal, G2.com.

 

  • G2.com has published over 1,000,000 authentic and unbiased reviews about thousands of software products.

 

“Acumatica received the highest overall customer satisfaction score in our survey their customers” – Gartner Magic Quadrant for Cloud Core Financial Management Suites for Midsize, Large and Global Enterprises 2018

 

Download the Gartner analyst report.

Acumatica offers your company a modern ERP with:

  • Custom reporting and analysis tools
  • Unlimited user pricing
  • Cloud and on-premises deployment options
  • Integrations to many third-party industry and eCommerce software solutions

 

Acumatica’s two major releases every year offers users the latest features, functions, tools, and capabilities to improve usability and productivity.

 

Former Everest CEO, Ryan Brown (now CEO of xByte), said switching to Acumatica:

  • “Dramatically improved visibility into financials
  • “Helped xByte connect with third-party software, such as FedEx
  • “Increased sales responsiveness and productivity
  • “Shaved three hours a day from daily invoicing
  • “Streamlined warehouse operations”

 

We hope you’ll explore these unbiased reviews to learn why we chose Acumatica Cloud ERP over all the other options.

 

Your ERP system should help you make actionable business decisions that create competitive advantage for your company.

 

Contact us to learn more about how Acumatica might be the solution you’ve been searching for.

Is your accounting system falling short on actionable business insights?

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Do you want a detailed analysis about how every part of your company is performing at your fingertips without hours (or days) of number crunching?

 

Whether you’re considering your first ERP system, upgrading your outdated ERP system or looking for a secure cloud-based system accessible from anywhere, Acumatica is one of the solutions you should consider.

 

We could have chosen to partner with any ERP system. We chose Acumatica. We think you will too, but we recommend that you at least check it out.

 

Acumatica Cloud ERP is:

  • built for the Cloud
  • designed specifically for small and mid-market companies
  • designed for your industry specific needs including:
    • Manufacturing
    • Distribution
    • Field Service
    • and Construction
  • scalable so it grows with your business
  • remarkably easy to use

 

Imagine an integrated business management solution that is built for the needs of every department. With better data, you’ll make strategic decisions that will leave your competitors wondering what happened.

 

Click HERE to get your ERP Buyers Guide that will walk you through the important factors that you should consider at every step along the way.

 

If you’d like more information about the cloud-based ERP system we recommend, click here.

 

If you want to set up a no-cost, no-obligation discussion about your business and system challenges, contact us.

Spot Business Opportunities Being Missed

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In just the past five years, the amount of data available in your accounting system and in your industry has grown exponentially.   All levels of the company from clerk to CEO are getting overwhelmed with data.

 

DATA DATA DATA!

All companies, even the smallest are getting more data every day.  You are compiling some level of customer data, vendor data, competitive market data.  It can get overwhelming.  What do you do?  Some people choose to do nothing. As a result, they will never know if there is gold in that pile of data.  Others will shudder at the thought of the army of people needed to analyze the mountain of data they have collected.  Meanwhile, a few will turn the page and consider embracing modern solutions.

 

FROM DATA TO BUSINESS INSIGHTS!

Business owners and executives have to make decisions regularly.  The best decisions are made when you have better information with which to weigh those decisions.

 

Finally!  There are tools to quickly filter through all that data to provide you with the information.  Information that allows you to spot opportunities in your industry that your competitors are missing.

 

Information that provides real reasons to make that decision, to create a new strategy, and with acknowledgement to Star Trek – To boldly go where no one has gone before.

 

Are you ready for a company-wide enterprise system that:

  • has all of your data in one spot?
  • identifies future trends based on historical data?
  • provides an unbiased view of the financial performance of every product and service?
  • shows you which products or services are losing money?
  • shows you which customers are most and least profitable?
  • sorts through all of your data and identifies strategic opportunities that your competitors are missing?

DOs and DO NOTs

You do not need to learn a programming language, you can become an expert in machine learning or study artificial intelligence.

 

You Do need to:

  • identify your company’s top three business challenges
  • document the challenges you are having with your current system
  • calculate the financial benefits you will gain if you had the data listed above at your fingertips
  • list out the negative impacts on your company’s performance that would occur if your competitors have these tools and you do not

 

Throughout the month of June we’ll help challenge your team’s thinking about what your company could achieve with the right tools.  Furthermore, we will provide you some thoughts on what to look for in the right tools for you.  We will share some studies and metrics from industry leading experts.

 

We look forward to partnering with you to help your company achieve record-setting results!

 

If you can’t wait and want to know more today, learn more. Our consultation comes at no-cost, no-obligation. We are here to discuss your business and system challenges and what modern ERP solutions can do for you.

 

 

Remote Working in Today’s World

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This is the final blog post in our series of four on the topic of remote and hybrid working. In it, we’ll summarize what we’ve talked about in the previous three blogs and finish with a quiz so you can see how much you’ve taken in. 

The start of the Covid-19 crisis seems like it happened a long time ago. But these past 12 months or so have caused the biggest shift in working practices in modern times. Before 2020, few companies were offering their employees the chance to work from home. You’d see the occasional ‘hot desk’ company or the workers who logged onto coffee shop Wi-Fi for a change of scenery. Ultimately, though, remote working wasn’t common practice.  

A few stats 

COVID-19 changed the way we do business. Social distancing caused us to modify the way we interact. Owners are deciding how things will look in a post-pandemic world. Some business owners seem to have a “trust” issue with employees they cannot keep an eye on. Many workers and businesses don’t see a complete return to office working anytime soon. 

Pre-pandemic, less than 20% of employees across the country worked from home. 

Currently, up to 70% of employees work from home at least one day a week. And that number is expected to grow. 

Surprisingly, almost 50% of businesses in the U.S. do not allow their employees to work remotely. There are many reasons for this, but the number one reason is usually this: productivity. 

However, the statistics show a completely different story. Several studies came to the same conclusion; remote workers have less unproductive time, work more hours per week, and are up to 47% more productive than the workforce in the office. 

Moving forward, we see more of a hybrid model taking place. Many businesses were able to downsize their office space, so they can’t bring everyone back. And, the fact is, the employees are getting used to the new arrangement. At least 50% of remote employees wish to remain remote, even after the pandemic has run its course. 

The benefits of remote work

Forced to adopt the practice of remote working, many businesses call it a success. What started as a challenge has turned out to be a benefit. Most businesses are planning to keep their employees remote at least on a part-time basis.  

This means companies have had to improve the performance of their networks. Their IT infrastructure has changed to be more efficient. MSPs have certainly played a role in this and have had a big part in improving the IT systems for businesses around the world. 

Small and large companies have turned to MSPs to help them with their IT needs during the pandemic. These MSPs can access the latest technology and offer 24-7 support, Around-the-clock support isn’t possible with in-house IT teams who work 9-to-5. 

Remote working risks revealed 

Of course, with such changes, companies have experienced the downsides to remote working too. With remote workers, there’s often a higher risk of cyberattacks or security breaches. MSPs have helped in this regard too. They monitor for threats, back up data, and give peace of mind that they’re always on the lookout for threats. 

After the Pandemic 

Many companies have enjoyed the new way of working more than they anticipated in the first place. With the experience and confidence in remote working, it is thought that many companies will strive to keep at least some aspect of remote working going forward. And it will remain even once the pandemic has ceased.  

Hybrid working means different things for different companies but essentially, employees have more freedom as to their working pattern. They might be required to work in-house for one or two days a week and be at home the rest of the time, for example. There are lots of ways in which hybrid working might work but it is likely to mean that there isn’t as much need for office space in the future. With hybrid working being highly likely, we expect to see an increase in Managed IT services too. 

MSPs and the hybrid workforce 

Many companies had to adapt during the pandemic, but so did MSPs. It could be said that their challenge was greater in some ways, given that they had to learn and adapt quickly so that they could help their clients more efficiently. 

MSPs were able to help companies be available for their clients with great success and have shown how they are key partners in a company’s functionality. That’s not to say that MSPs have taken over and there is no need for in-house IT teams, quite the opposite. MSPs’ work complements that of existing in-house teams.  

Conclusion – remote work in today’s world, is it for you? If you have any questions about supporting a hybrid workforce please contact us. As a Managed Service Provider, we can help you find the perfect solution. Remember: we’re your business growth partner, so take advantage of our knowledge.