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Managed IT Services: Why It’s Crucial for Small and Medium Sized Businesses

Managed IT Services
21 Jun

Managed IT Services: Why It’s Crucial for Small and Medium Sized Businesses

by SMB Suite
in Managed IT, SMB Blog
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Smart businesses are making sure Managed IT is never a worry.

What are Managed IT Services?

Managed IT Services are dedicated proactive IT services designed to help businesses:

  • Improve operational management
  • Increase efficiency
  • Strengthen security of your network, devices and data
  • Liaise between your office and vendors, buying new equipment, internet connectivity, phones, etc.
  • By providing a team of experts with an array of skill sets. SMB Suite Managed IT Services eliminates the “jack of all trades, master of none” situation that many small businesses experience. The SMB Suite team of experts can solve problems so businesses don’t have to worry about IT.
  • Optimize IT budgets. Businesses need to know their IT costs month to month. Managed IT Services is a flat monthly fee with no surprises
  • With a single point of contact for all IT needs. SMB Suite becomes a business’s IT department and solves all IT needs.

“We’re watching your machines and your networks to make sure they’re running efficiently, free of viruses, with correct patches and upgrades,” said Alan McAulay, SMB Suite Director of Managed IT Services.

“We’re making sure your network is healthy. It’s important to note that we’re not in the business of looking at the information on your machines.”

Network and Internet Connectivity Solutions

One of the first things SMB Suite’s Managed IT Services team looks at is a business’s internet connectivity.

“We make sure your connectivity is getting you what you need and that you have the bandwidth and flexibility you need, making sure your speed is good and that you’re not having issues with it going up and down,” McAulay said. “I strongly recommend you consider redundancy in your connectivity, IE having a second internet connection that doesn’t have to be as robust as your primary connection. You want to always be connected, and more than one connection is wise.”

SMB Suite Managed IT Services can manage routers, switches and firewalls, whether these entities are software or hardware. The team manages those devices and helps with network setup.

SMB Suite can also help businesses manage wireless access points.

“Yes, it’s easy to go buy a wireless router and plug it in at the office,” McAulay said. “The issue there is protection and security. You want to make sure to utilize a service that can be managed and protected, giving you the ability to set the device to have home-office users, guest users, etc. It takes management to make sure it’s done correctly and that you’re safe and secure in your offices.”

SMB Suite Managed IT Services provides trouble reporting and resolution. The team monitors traffic going through the firewall, whether things are slowing down, whether a business is having internet issues. The team will report the issues and help resolve them.

“We’re also watching trend usage analysis and capacity planning,” McAulay explained. “If you’re growing and want to hire more employees, if you want to go from Microsoft Dynamics GP on premise to GP in the cloud, if you want to change your phone system to a voice-over IP system in the cloud, we can help with those things and watch capacity planning.”

Desktops and Devices IT Solutions

SMB Suite Managed IT Services tools look at a business’s network and devices to make sure they’re running smoothly and efficiently and free from performance issues.

  • Online Software License Management
  • Workstation Optimization and Management – the ability to monitor workstations and make sure they have the correct software updates, security patches, that software is functioning properly
  • Security Administration
  • Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware Software Management
  • Unlimited Phone Support
  • Unlimited Remote Control Support – SMB Suite uses TeamViewer to log into a user’s machine remotely as if the team is sitting in front of it. This allows the team to see what problems are occurring and helps them solve problems more efficiently and more quickly.
  • 24/7 Remote Emergency Support

Licensing Evaluation Services

“We’ll perform a free, comprehensive analysis of your current licensing environment and provide you with a ‘current status’ report to establish a baseline,” McAulay said. “Then, we’ll work with you to develop a roadmap to get you in the optimum status.”

  • How many licenses are you currently paying for?
  • What types of licenses do you have?
  • Have you matched job functions to the capabilities of the licensing?
  • Who is in control of your licensing? Is it technology, accounting, operations, etc.?

“We will make sure the money you’re spending gets you the software and applications you need most efficiently,” he said.

Phone Service Management Solutions

For businesses thinking about moving to a voice-over IP system, SMB Suite’s Managed IT Services will find the right type of connectivity for the office and situation. The team will help configure the new PBX system in the cloud and configure new hardware that can handle voice-over IP capabilities.

  • Internet Connectivity Consulting
  • Evaluate Existing Phone System
  • Provide Cloud PBX Services
  • Migrate from Existing PBX Platform
  • Configuration of New Hardware
  • Train Users on New Equipment

Security IT Solutions

Security can’t be overemphasized. Not only a business’s network, but its devices and the data on the devices need to be secure and protected. Managed IT services help businesses do that.

  • Data Encryption
  • Intrusion Detection and Prevention
  • Security Information and Event Management

Enterprise Applications Supported and Provided by Managed IT Services

SMB Suite Managed IT Services can help businesses get the most out of these platforms:

  • Microsoft Office 365
  • Microsoft Exchange
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • Active Directory
  • .Net
  • SQL

Backups and Disaster Recovery Managed Services

  • Managed Backup Services
  • Disaster Recovery Planning and Implementation. This includes people and process, not just technology. This step is critical to protecting businesses, whether it’s a power outage or a tornado or anything in between. What is your disaster plan?

SMB Suite Managed IT Services Help Businesses:

  • Catch problems before they cause major issues
  • Optimize existing technology investments
  • Protect data as well as desktops and devices
  • Manage applications both in the cloud and/or on premise
  • Execute a business continuity and disaster recovery plan protecting the most critical functions of a business
  • Reduce uncertainty and big fluctuations in the IT budget (flat monthly fee)
  • Simplify IT support with a single point of contact for all IT needs

“Our focus is to partner with you and help you get the most out of your technology,” McAulay said. “We want to make sure IT isn’t something you have to worry about. We want you to have the time to grow your business.”

“If we already manage pieces of your business, including Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Business Central, and/or Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Sales,  it’s a natural fit for us to handle your IT needs as well,” he said.

1 Comment
  • Prescott Anderson
    Reply
    Posted at 8:43 am, July 8, 2019

    Good information

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Steve’s been with SMB Suite since 1998 and has been involved with nearly every aspects of the Company’s business as a strategist, professional services executive, cloud solutions architect, and senior consultant. In his current role, Steve is responsible for SMB Suite’s revenue and oversees the execution of ERP, CRM and BI projects for customers across a broad range of industries. Steve combines his expertise in MS Dynamics GP, CRM and other Microsoft products with a strong foundation in accounting and business to identify gaps and streamline customers’ processes. Prior to co-founding SMB Suite, Steve was previously Corporate Controller for MEHLE Behr and, prior to that, Audit Senior for Ernst & Young. Steve holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Jeremy is responsible for SMB Suite’s technology vision, strategy and implementation and is the architect of the Company’s Dynamics Cloud Platform. Highly adept in every facet of managed services, ERP systems and e-commerce platforms, Jeremy’s expertise spans the implementation and support of business and financial software solutions, as well as the customization and integration of SMB Suite’s cloud ERP technology stack. He holds numerous Microsoft and industry-related certifications, and was primarily responsible for designing the Company’s progressive business services platform in the early days of the Cloud. Prior to SMB Suite, Jeremy served as the financial analyst, systems administrator, and information systems liaison for a $2 billion financial services corporation.

Monty is responsible for SMB Suite’s day-to-day operation and, most importantly, its customers. As a leader, motivator and mentor, Monty creates loyal high performance teams willing to “walk through walls” to accomplish their goals. Prior to SMB Suite, Monty served as President of The Bradshaw Group (TBG), a global distributor, manufacturer, and repair facility for digital printers. In this role, he was the Company’s ambassador to its most important domestic, European and Latin American customers and TBG achieved a best-in-class Net Promoter Score of 74 for its superb customer satisfaction. Prior to TBG, Monty served as the General Manager of Sam’s Clubs three highest grossing U.S. stores and was named Regional Operator of the Year in 1999. Monty holds a BBA in Marketing from Texas Tech University and is an active member of Business Navigators. He has been active in Vistage International, Executives in Action, the Dallas/Fort Worth Retail Executives Association, as well as, A.P.I.C.S., the leading professional association for supply chain and operations management. Monty also volunteers with Hunger Busters and ManeGait, a therapeutic horsemanship organization.

David is a proven financial and information technology professional with expertise in providing business accounting software and computing solutions. He began his career by starting and managing a successful independent consulting practice for several years. He then launched the local systems consulting unit of Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneurial Services Group, leading the office into the hi-tech consulting arena. After successfully developing the unit for Ernst & Young, David founded NextCorp (which became SMB Suite in 2013) to serve the business software needs of clients throughout the US. David has made SMB Suite one of the best cloud ERP providers in the industry. In addition to being a successful entrepreneur and leader, he is a software and technology specialist, holding certifications in various Microsoft and other technologies.