Now that working from home seems to be the new normal, we’re witnessing the advent of a new era in the workforce. Big businesses, corporations, and restaurants have all been closed as the COVID-19 pandemic forced each one of us to stay home. But are we really that helpless?
Truth is, we’re not.
Technology has made us more than capable of handling our workload from… well… just about anywhere. But as technology becomes an increasingly integral part of business, are we really able to fully bring our work to our homes? The answer lies in managed IT services.
But first, what exactly is managed IT?
A managed IT service is a type of outsourced service that provides reliable, affordable, and timely solutions to a business’ IT needs. The goal of managed IT services is to provide a simple cost-effective approach to your IT functions and take the bulk of those functions out of your hands.
Now that you’re working from home, a managed IT service provider will be able to assist you in your day-to-day IT needs. Read on to see some of the vital functions your IT service provider should be performing when everyone’s working from home.
Set expectations
Let’s face it, the current coronavirus pandemic has left businesses scrambling to put the proper infrastructure in place to accommodate employees working from home. The fact of the matter is, this is new to just about everyone. As a managed IT service provider, you should be able to set the right expectations for your clients that are working from home especially if you’re still in the process of putting the necessary infrastructure in place. More often than not, IT service providers give clients a service-level agreement (SLA) which details a set of deliverables they need to provide their clients. That’s a great sign of transparency- and transparency builds trust.
Ensure data security
One of the primary responsibilities of your managed IT service provider is ensuring that your data is safe and secure. “Think of this as an investment,” begins Emil Isanov, CEO, ETech 7. “A capable IT service provider should be able to anticipate cyberattacks whether your employees are working on-site or working from home.”
Now that the workplace has evolved again, the modern workplace is finding it difficult to keep up with emerging threats across various channels especially when workplaces have sort of become “individualized” in a way. The best course of action to take is to share insider knowledge about emerging threats through information security training. “Spending a couple of hours for a presentation about the most basic security principles should equip your clients in determining which sites to avoid, what types of emails not to click, and when to ask your IT provider for help,” says Isanov.
Improve business operations
Managed IT service providers have a unique overview of a client’s operations. They can see which aspects of your operation can be improved and which ones can stay as is. Small and medium-sized businesses, understandably, try to do everything themselves because of concerns on budget and resources. At a time where everyone is isolated from everything else, a managed IT services provider should allow you and your staff to refocus your attention on more important business functions.
Provide proactive support
At a time where a global pandemic is changing the way we live, it’s significant to recognize the dangers of remote work. Having multiple employees that are working from home provides cybercriminals with a plethora of channels to exploit. Thankfully, managed IT service providers have trained and qualified individuals that are well-equipped with the latest technology surrounding IT. If you’re looking for a managed IT services provider, one of the most important things you should look into is the type of IT support that they provide. Is it proactive? Will they be readily available when we encounter problems? Are they going to put the appropriate preventive measures to stay ahead?
Preventative plans
IT service providers should provide your company with an IT strategy for your company that works in tandem with your business strategy. Managed IT services are not just about fixing tech stuff, it’s also about putting the necessary IT solutions in place to accommodate your current and future needs. Putting preventative plans in place, especially at a time where everyone is working from various types of networks, is especially important.
Is this the new normal? Maybe.
As long as there are no other safer alternatives for everyone to start going back to work, the best thing to do is to put layers upon layers of security measures to keep your business safe from cyberattacks. Hiring an IT provider can do just that.
Ready to make a decision? Schedule a free consultation with ETech 7 today!
