Information technology has become an essential element in helping businesses grow and thrive. As the demand for hybrid and remote work increases, managing your IT effectively is critical to reducing costs and keeping your employees productive.
However, the main issue for many small businesses is that they don’t have the time or the expertise on staff to ensure their IT infrastructure runs smoothly. As a result, they waste time and money on outdated technology, in addition to leaving valuable data vulnerable to potential security breaches.
A recent survey from IEEE Transmitter showed that while many businesses predict they will need more devices – and stronger cybersecurity measures to protect them – they are struggling to find skilled technology workers to help them manage their IT infrastructure.
That’s why managed IT services are one of the most common outsourcing solutions businesses use. Working with a managed services provider (MSP) means you can pay a predictable monthly fee for a team of experts to handle all your IT needs, including cyber security.
But the main question is, how much do managed IT services cost? And when exactly is your business ready for managed IT services? Read on for the answers to these and other questions as we explore the factors that impact managed IT services pricing.
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A Closer Look at IT Managed Services Pricing
Managed IT services pricing will vary depending on the pricing model, the specifics of your support, and the size of your business.
There are several common pricing models you’ll find when comparing MSP. Some providers offer basic break-fix or device setup at an hourly rate. However, with these models, you lose out on long-term security services and 24/7 monitoring with remote support.
If you want a service that lets you take a hands-off approach, you’ll need a more robust plan. Typically, these companies will charge per user, per device, or offer tiered services that let you select the level of support you want. You may also find companies that offer “a-la-carte” services so you’ll only ever pay for services that you use.
If you want your MSP to handle all of your IT needs, you’ll want to compare service pricing for MSPs that offer more comprehensive support. These companies typically charge by either the number of users per month or the number of devices.
Depending on how you’re MSP charges, the average monthly costs fall into one of these price ranges:
- $125-250 per user
- $30-70 per device
- $299 per server
There are a variety of services that can offer different levels of support for higher or lower rates.
Additionally, some services will accrue additional costs. Make sure you ask what services can affect IT managed services pricing before you sign an agreement so you can avoid surprise service costs.
When to Hire an MSP
If you’re unsure whether or not you need to hire an MSP, there are a few key things to consider. How much time do you spend struggling with IT issues? Are your employees using the best software to perform tasks? Is your critical data protected from cyber attacks?
If productivity is stalling because employees are taking longer to handle simple processes that could be automated with the right software, or you’re stuck waiting on customer support to resolve recurring IT issues, your company can benefit from partnering with an MSP.
The majority of MSPs can provide you with a detailed technology audit that will give you a clear picture of the health of your infrastructure.
An MSP can help you reduce costs, improve employee productivity, and help you optimize business processes so you can serve your customers better and faster.
With better technology, you can also improve employee engagement. As US companies face an increase in cybersecurity risks, having the right experts on your side is critical.
The cost of managed services is a beneficial investment that can generate great returns. The right provider can help you plan for more efficient growth and meet your long term goals more effectively. Some examples of services they can provide include:
- Cloud consulting
- Project management
- IT strategy development
- Cybersecurity consulting
- Hardware technology consulting
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Selecting the Right Provider
Comparing the cost of managed IT services is only part of the picture. It’s important to have a full understanding of what you are getting out of your investment. Find a plan that provides the support you need, and make sure you are only paying for services that you will use.
Even more important, partner with a company that allows you to scale your services up or down as needed so you can get the right-sized solution for your business each month to ensure your MSP costs are spent wisely.
Optimize Your IT With XL.net
The cost of managed IT services is an investment into stronger, more agile technology for your business. When you partner with an MSP you can stop worrying about your IT issues and focus on growing your business.
XL.net serves small to medium-sized businesses in the greater Chicagoland area. Our team of experts helps to reduce IT issues by 80% and improve productivity by at least 10%.
We make this happen with monthly technology audits to find any issues, inefficiencies, and gaps so we can find and fix problems without letting them fester.
We are also one of the few Chicago IT companies that does not require long-term contracts to get started. Instead, we keep our clients coming back with proactive, dedicated IT support that can keep your business running smoothly.
For more information about our managed IT services pricing, contact us today to learn more about how we can help.