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Business owners have a lot to focus on. There are the day to day operations, the planning and goal setting and, obviously, the putting out of every little fire that may pose a challenge. It just comes with the territory.

Needless to say, business owners don’t need any more things to worry about on any given day. Unfortunately, without the right preparation and resources, IT infrastructure can create some real problems.

Luckily, there are options for the busy business owner that can alleviate potential pain points. And as far as IT is concerned, lifting the burden off your shoulders can free up so much of your time and energy that you may just wonder why you didn’t make the decision sooner.

But maybe you’re still on the fence about managed IT services. Here, we will discuss why it may be the solution you have been looking for.

Why does my business need managed IT?

Managed IT services bring multiple advantages to the table for any business. Not only does managed IT make available some of the best hardware and software – plus the knowledge of how to make that technology go to work for your business – but these services also offer peace of mind by mitigating risk.

Negating IT risks frees up your internal resources for other priorities. The service provider is constantly monitoring for problems and has an array of solutions that they will employ once a problem is detected.

Additionally, the service provider can make recommendations for scaling up tech when that makes sense and improving existing technical solutions. The provider will likely have access to preferred hardware and software with the latest updates and they will be ready to seamlessly introduce any new technology to your processes.

In short, managed IT allows you to focus on what matters most – your business and its customers.

What services are provided with managed IT?

Managed IT can make all the difference for a small, medium or even a large business. Plus, with providers like Advanced Network Professionals, the level of service provided can pay off almost immediately.

It all comes down to finding which services are right for your business.

Managed firewall and network security

Ransomware and cyber attacks against even small businesses are increasingly common. Unfortunately, the situation has reached a point where no business, regardless of its size, can ignore the risks of leaving their network vulnerable to cyber criminals looking to utilize ransomware and malware.

In fact, IBM conducted a study in 2021 that showed 52% of small businesses fell victim to a cyber attack in 2020. To make matters worse, many experts believe that percentage will only go up as the rate of cyber attacks has only increased as of late.

With a managed IT services provider, you have the power of a full suite of security tools and features at your disposal. We’re not talking about run of the mill antivirus programs, either. Working with a provider will deliver a managed antivirus solution that can quickly detect, isolate and remove unwanted malware or viruses from affected systems.

In addition, a provider can utilize enhanced network security and firewall features that monitor and detect cyber activity and unwanted events that could signal an attack is occuring. As for the firewall, that’s another strong barrier that can protect your organization’s data, and often more importantly any sensitive data that may belong to your customers.

Wireless networking for increased flexibility

Many businesses nowadays are set up to accommodate wireless computing. Practically all employees are not only using wireless laptops or desktops connected over WiFi, but they are also using their smartphones and tablets to do their work.

One recent study showed that about 93% of employees in the United States who own a smartphone and spend at least one third of their time each day away from their desk were on that device for work purposes every day.

It’s safe to say that this statistic certainly rings true for many businesses and organizations, which is why a reliable wireless network that provides stable speeds and connectivity is imperative to ensuring your operation continues to run smoothly. You will also have the option of enabling a public or guest wifi network that has the same security features, too, or keep your connections locked up tightly as a private network.

No matter how you choose to establish a wireless network, an IT service provider can work to ensure that each and every point of access on your network – from wireless printers to workstations is monitored to eliminate down time and keep your business connected to the internet.

Hardware and server management

Servers can often be a considerable hardware investment for a business. However, what’s even more valuable than the server equipment is most likely the data stored on the devices.

This is one area where managed IT service providers shine the brightest. Working with servers can be a daunting task for those who are not familiar with their set up. A service provider can provide initial set up, continued updates and any needed diagnostic repairs on a server that may be acting up.

A provider can also help you stay on top of warranties, security patches and other updates. Keeping up to date on all your hardware can be an easy task to let slip, even though it’s a good idea to be on an update cycle anywhere from 18 months to three years. But when it comes to servers and an organization’s data, not staying updated can be a tremendous mistake.

Get your business connected with ANP

Don’t let your business or organization's performance suffer due to bad tech. With managed IT services, many of the common pain points associated with hardware and software can be avoided. Your business will be operating smoother than ever. That efficiency makes for happier employees, which will then translate into happier customers.

Get in touch with Advanced Network Professionals to start discussing potential solutions for your business – and how we can help make the technology you use work better for you. Simply get started by requesting a quote.