Every day you are presented with choices: Soup or salad? Go to the gym or binge watch Netflix? Professional Technology Organization (PTO), IT provider or an internal IT department?
Okay, so the last one isn’t a daily question, but it is a decision every organization needs to make because it affects daily operations. The right IT provider will sync technology plans to overall strategy, drive growth and keep systems running smoothly. To take advantage of these opportunities you need to know which level of IT support is right for you.
Any organization with in-house technology employees has “internal IT.” Large entities can afford to fully staff a department, but smaller organizations may only have a support desk or a team member with specialized, industry-specific experience.
Unless you can hire a CTO or CIO, you will need to rely on an external partner for strategic support. At all levels, internal IT staffers are usually spread thin and spend more of their time fighting fires than working on projects that support long-term goals.
There are different ways to define MSPs, based on which services they offer. In general, MSPs come into an organization to resolve issues, set up new technology and offer guidance. Depending on your contract, you may have access to tools and software the MSP uses, which can be a blessing and a curse. They’ll be able to pass savings on to you, but you’ll be upsold new technology every time an update is released. Some MSPs will also charge for each support desk call you make or have fees for on-site visits.
A PTO functions as an external technology partner. Strategy, support, tools, security, compliance and any other IT services are covered through a comprehensive package. This includes hardware and software, which the PTO purchases and manages on your behalf as part of the monthly agreement. Replacements, repairs and upgrades are included by the PTO.
You’ll have fewer decisions to make and your technology will be investing in you. When a system is improved, the PTO will quickly and seamlessly implement the new hardware or software and train your staff how to use it. At organizations without a PTO, a member of the leadership team will first need to research and invest in the innovative product before it can be put into use.
It’s possible to partner with a PTO while retaining your in-house IT staff, too. This is how we work with several clients. Their internal teams now spend less time managing technology and more time assisting coworkers to better utilize the technology their organization relies on, like CRM software and accounting applications.
Most people are compelled to make a change after experiencing issues, like downtime or a cyberattack, that leaves them scrambling for a new way of doing things. But we designed PTOs to be proactive to give organizations a competitive advantage and avoid these issues.
It’s also why we have standard processes that bring a higher level of service to our clients. When we discover time-saving software or a better approach to managing systems for one client, we implement it across the board, quickly improving everyone’s workflow before there are any issues.
Instead of waiting until an IT security event occurs, take the time to honestly assess your technology situation and ask if you need to make a change. Evaluate how much time you spend each month thinking about or monitoring technology and what you could be doing with that time.
Have questions about your options? Contact Net-Tech today online or call (425) 452-8324 and we can schedule a time to talk about your IT needs.