Coleman Technologies Blog

One of the most asked questions we get is “How can you help us save money?” It’s the priority for anyone looking to outsource anything. So, naturally it has to be one of the first questions answered. In today’s blog, we’ll go through three ways that our brand of managed IT services functions to save our clients money.

Avoiding Downtime

One of the best ways we can save any organization money is to keep their operations functioning efficiently. We do this in many ways. First, we assess your business to find if you can make any immediate improvements to keep your business’ technology running more effectively. That includes replacing hardware, software, and strategies, and adding tools that will make your business more efficient. The more efficient your technology runs, the more you can get done. This productivity boost will increase revenue and bring more money into the organization.

After that, we use our state-of-the-art tools and organizational technology acumen to ensure that all the technology you do run is working. Every system on your network has a purpose, and if any of them go down—even for a few minutes—it can cost your business a lot in terms of money and negative reputation. Our monitoring platform keeps a finger on the pulse of your business’ IT, ensuring optimal uptime around the clock.

Finally, cyberattacks and other disasters can put a lot of pressure on your business. That’s why it’s important to do what you can to have a strategy to ensure continuity should you be unfortunate enough to have to deal with a cyberattack directly. Our comprehensive service can help in multiple ways. First, we can ensure all of your organization’s data is backed up so that should you need to restore your data, it is available. Second, we can outfit your network with all the tools available to keep your business secure. We also can recommend an end-user training platform that effectively gets your staff to be a proactive part of your ongoing cybersecurity strategy.

Keeping Your Eyes on the Prize

Very few entrepreneurs are IT experts. Hiring an in-house IT team can be extremely rewarding, but getting top talent can be difficult and expensive. Most businesses have found that outsourcing their IT management is a cost-effective alternative that covers all of their IT needs and allows them to shift focus to other matters crucial to the success of their business. 

Vendor relationships are crucial for every business, but they can command a lot of time. The last thing any business owner needs is more demands on their time. We manage compliance, acquisitions, and just about any situation with your technology vendors, taking another time-consuming task off your plate.

Things change fast in business; sometimes, you fear the worst when outsourcing such a critical part of your business to an outside vendor. We offer a comprehensive ticketing system that allows us to schedule our team to remediate any technology concerns you have quickly. We also feature a number of valuable support options that make it easy to handle any technology issue your business could have.

If you would like to have a conversation about how our services are well-positioned to save your business and how we can tailor a service plan to your business, give us a call today at (604) 513-9428.

Today’s businesses have more technology involved in their processes than ever, making it essential to have access to the support that will keep them in operation. Nowadays, that kind of support is best obtained through a relationship with a managed service provider.

Now, I feel it is appropriate to acknowledge that all this is coming from a managed service provider… but that’s just because we feel strongly enough about the benefits of managed services to offer them over the traditional approach to business IT support and services.

Let’s discuss why we feel so strongly about the value managed services bring to businesses that utilize them for their IT needs.

Understanding Managed Service Providers (MSPs)

Managed service providers, or MSPs, like us are companies that manage IT infrastructure and systems. We offer a wide range of services tailored to each client's specific needs.

We are experts in IT, using advanced tools and technologies to support your network. Our services are scalable, making them suitable for the small and medium-sized businesses of British Columbia.

Here are some of the key benefits we offer:

• A proactive approach to IT management
• Scalable solutions
• Expertise in various IT domains

MSP Benefits for Modern Businesses

In today's digital age, IT is integral to business operations. However, managing IT can be a complex and daunting task. This is where MSPs like us step in. We manage your business’ IT, allowing you to focus on your core operations.

MSPs also play a crucial role in reducing downtime and improving business continuity. We’ll ensure your IT systems are always up and running, minimizing disruptions to your operations. Moreover, our services help British Columbia businesses stay up-to-date with the latest technology trends, giving them a competitive edge in the market.

What Services are Typically Offered by MSPs?

MSPs like us offer a wide range of services, each designed to meet businesses' diverse IT needs.

MSPs like us offer network management, cybersecurity, and cloud management services. We can also provide IT consulting and strategic planning and handle routine maintenance and updates, freeing up your internal resources and allowing you to focus on what you do best without worrying about IT.

What Value Comes from Partnering with an MSP?

Partnering with an MSP offers numerous benefits. These advantages can significantly enhance a business' operational efficiency and competitiveness.

Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Management

One of the main benefits of working with an MSP is cost-effectiveness. MSPs can provide high-quality IT services at a fraction of the cost of maintaining an in-house IT team. We offer fixed (and therefore predictable) pricing models based on a subscription, which can help businesses better plan their finances and lead to significant savings in the long run.

MSPs like us also help businesses manage their IT budgets more effectively by providing insights and recommendations based on data-driven analysis. This can help businesses allocate resources more efficiently, improving financial performance.

Focus on Core Business Functions

Another key benefit of partnering with an MSP is the ability to focus on core business functions. With an MSP handling IT, businesses can concentrate on their primary operations. This can improve productivity and efficiency and free up internal resources, allowing them to be used more effectively.

Our team at Coleman Technologies will handle routine maintenance and updates, freeing up internal resources. This allows businesses we work with to focus on what they do best without worrying about IT. Moreover, we can help businesses navigate digital transformation, allowing them to stay competitive in the digital age.

Access to Expertise and Advanced Technology

MSPs like us provide businesses with access to expertise and advanced technology. Our team of IT experts is well-versed in the latest technology trends. Therefore, working with us can give businesses a competitive edge and help them stay up-to-date with the latest IT opportunities.

We’ll also use advanced tools and technologies to monitor and manage IT systems. This can lead to improved IT health and performance and other benefits we’ll get more into shortly.

Moreover, MSPs like us can provide insights and recommendations based on data-driven analysis, which can help businesses make informed decisions about their IT strategy.

Proactive Approach to IT Management

MSPs take a proactive approach to IT management. We’ll monitor your IT systems to identify and resolve issues before they escalate, reducing downtime and improving business continuity. It can also minimize IT-related risks and vulnerabilities. We can also play a crucial role in disaster recovery and backup solutions. Coleman Technologies will do anything we can to ensure that your business can quickly recover from IT disasters.

Moreover, we can help businesses future-proof their IT infrastructure. We’ll ensure that your IT systems are up-to-date and capable of supporting future business growth.

Enhanced Security and Compliance

Coleman Technologies will also play a crucial role in ensuring cybersecurity and compliance. We’ll implement robust security measures to protect you from cyberthreats and comply with regulatory requirements. This can help you avoid penalties and protect your reputation.

We’ll also provide training and support to your in-house staff to enhance their understanding of cybersecurity and compliance requirements and help with compliance and regulatory audits.

Scalability and Flexibility

MSPs offer scalable and flexible IT solutions. We can adapt our services to the changing needs of British Columbia businesses, helping our neighbors scale their IT infrastructure as they grow and adapt to changing market conditions. Plus, the entire concept of managed services is based on flexible pricing models. This allows businesses that work with us to pay for only the services they need.

Work with Us to Enjoy These Benefits for Yourself!

Contact us at (604) 513-9428 to learn more about managed services and how we can use them to benefit your business.

Technology is the cornerstone of most modern business operations, making supporting this technology more important than ever. That’s one reason we’re so proud to provide IT assistance to our fellow businesses.

As we’ve done so, however, we’ve noted that some assistance is required more often than other forms of support. Let’s go over what some of these usual suspects are, and why it is so helpful to have someone (ideally, us) assisting you in managing them.

First, we need to talk about perhaps the most well-known of them all…

Passwords

Passwords have been the go-to security measure for years, leading to more than anyone can realistically memorize—especially with best practices requiring unique ones for each account. Frequent password resets only add to the challenge, forcing users to either reuse a single, insecure password across multiple accounts or constantly forget their secure ones and rely on support for resets.

We're always happy to help, but some tools make this even easier. Modern password managers let you and your team maintain many strong, secure passwords while only remembering one to access an encrypted vault of credentials.

Subscription Chaos

Business subscriptions are essentially like gym memberships: you sign up with good intentions, forget about half of them, and suddenly realize you’ve been paying for something you haven’t used in six months. Your team can’t get work done if you have too few licenses. You have too many, and you’re throwing money away. With our help, you’ll keep only what you need, ditch the extras, and make sure no subscription negatively affects your budget.

Now You See It, Now You Don’t

With so many people working remotely, a bad Internet connection is basically a business-wide crisis. We’ll make sure your network is reliable, fast, and won’t mysteriously die in the middle of a crucial Zoom call. 

Hackers Don’t Take Days Off

Cybercriminals are out there, sharpening their digital tools and waiting for the perfect moment to strike… which usually happens when your team is most distracted. Sure, your employees can help keep things secure, but they’ve got jobs to do. That’s where we come in: making sure your defenses are strong enough to keep hackers out so your team can focus on actually doing their jobs.

Data Loss Is a Disaster

Losing your business data is like losing your phone: you don’t realize how much you rely on it until it’s gone. Whether it’s accidental deletion, hardware failure, or some rogue employee deleting or overwriting critical data, data loss can be a nightmare. We make sure your data is backed up, retrievable, and safe, so you never have to panic when disaster strikes.

Need IT Help? Call the Pros

We do way more than just fix IT problems; we stop them from happening in the first place.

Whether you need a fully managed IT team or just a little extra support, we’ve got you covered. Give us a call at (604) 513-9428 to have a conversation about how we can help fix your IT issues.

IT support is essential for businesses, but traditional on-site support can be expensive and inefficient.

Thankfully, remote IT support, such as that offered through managed services, is now available. This is a game-changer for small to medium-sized businesses. Let's explore the benefits of remote IT support.

On-Demand Assistance

One of the greatest advantages of remote IT support is immediate assistance. When an IT issue arises, there's no need to wait for a technician to arrive on-site. A remote support team can start troubleshooting right away.

This rapid response significantly reduces downtime, allowing your business operations to continue with minimal disruption, which boosts productivity.

Additionally, remote support gives you access to a diverse team of highly skilled IT professionals who can handle various tech issues. This is particularly beneficial for small and medium-sized businesses that can't afford a full-time IT team.

Cost Savings

Remote IT support can lead to substantial cost savings. You can avoid the expense of maintaining a full-time, in-house IT staff and instead pay for services only when needed.

This allows your team to focus on core business activities while the remote IT support team handles the technical side. It's a smart way to allocate resources.

Managed IT services also often include regular reporting and analysis, helping you make informed IT planning and spending decisions, leading to further savings.

Proactive Maintenance

A key benefit of remote IT support is proactive maintenance. Managed IT services can identify and prevent issues before they occur, resulting in less downtime and increased productivity.

Remote IT support also enhances cybersecurity. Timely updates and patches are crucial in today's digital landscape, and a remote IT team ensures your systems are always up-to-date.

Scalability

Remote IT support is highly scalable. As your business grows, your IT needs will evolve. A remote IT team can easily adapt, providing the support you need at every stage.

Support for Remote Work Environments

Remote IT support is ideal for remote work environments. With more companies allowing employees to work from home, it's crucial to have IT support that can assist them no matter where they are.

Remote IT support helps remote workers resolve most technology problems, enabling them to work efficiently from anywhere.

24/7 Monitoring

Another benefit is 24/7 monitoring. Remote IT support teams can continuously monitor your systems, identifying and fixing problems before they become major, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted business operations.

Remote IT support from a managed service provider is a wise choice for businesses of all sizes. So why wait? Start reaping the benefits of remote IT support today. Call us at (604) 513-9428.

As a small business, we’re sure you want to improve your profit margin so that you can offer more exciting and innovative services or products. One way that many businesses bleed capital is through their IT expenses. While it might make sense on paper to address technology challenges only when they present themselves, the truth is the exact opposite.

In reality, you want to address technology problems well before they surface, as the costs of waiting for them to materialize can snowball out of control, and fast. Rather than taking a reactive approach to your IT maintenance, we recommend you take the following proactive measures today to prevent downtime and save some capital in the process.

Patch and Update Your Systems

Your infrastructure consists of software and hardware, both of which need to be regularly updated to prevent potential issues. Software should be patched to keep security breaches as far away from your business as possible. At the same time, hardware should be upgraded to prevent a hardware failure from causing absurd amounts of downtime. MSPs like Coleman Technologies are trained to handle both of these tasks, and in cases that don’t involve hardware issues, we can even do them remotely.

Remote Monitoring and Management

In situations where we are not on-premises to keep an eye on your systems, we can still be there in spirit, so to speak, by remotely monitoring and managing them. It’s simple; hardware will showcase symptoms of an impending failure long before it actually kicks the bucket. If these can be detected and addressed before the failure, you avoid the fallout and keep operations running unimpeded. 

Perform Routine Maintenance According to a Schedule

Your business’ IT infrastructure should have a routine maintenance schedule where its many bits and pieces are examined regularly. If you build a schedule like this and stick to it, the chances of experiencing a hardware failure or major downtime incident drop considerably. Granted, we know that you might not have all the time in the world to do this, but we sure do, and we want to help you proactively monitor your technology through a maintenance schedule.

Get Started with Proactive Maintenance Today

Every day you’re waiting for your technology to break down is another day you risk spending considerable time and capital recovering from a hardware failure. Don’t let your technology take you by surprise; plan for its inevitable failure by working with Coleman Technologies. We can help you implement a plan of action that starts well before your IT experiences issues. To learn more, call us today at (604) 513-9428.

As we’re in the midst of Q3 of 2023, common wisdom says that now is about the time that small businesses should be planning their budgets for the next fiscal year. As such, if you haven’t already done so, it’s time to give managed IT services some serious consideration.

Let’s review what it is that makes managed services so budget-friendly.

First, Managed Services are Designed to Be Inherently Scalable 

One great way to eat through your IT budget is to invest in more than your business needs—maintaining more subscriptions to various services than your staffing requires, for instance. A managed service provider can help you avoid this kind of overinvestment by ensuring that you have precisely the resources you need, working with your vendors firsthand to ensure that you are limiting your overspending, and even negotiating better deals for your business. 

Second, Managed Services are Very Inclusive, in Terms of Their Offerings

By virtue of their business model, a managed service provider is motivated to fulfill as many needs as possible. In addition to offering you comprehensive remote and in-person support as circumstances demand, most managed service providers will interface with your vendors on your behalf, taking advantage of the combined needs of their entire client base to get special deals… passing the savings on to you.

That’s not all, either. Many MSPs will work with you to develop a roadmap for your technology to follow as your needs change and your company ideally grows, helping you grow your business without spending capital on unnecessary investments.

Third, Managed Services are Convenient, Which Adds Value

Time, as they say, is money. The longer any number of your team is prevented from working at their highest level of productivity, the more money you’re watching go down the drain. This is what makes the all-hours accessibility of your MSP so invaluable. You have the comfort of knowing that your network is being watched at all hours, allowing you to focus more of your work time on other tasks, and your personal time on your own rest and recuperation.

Plus, managed services allow your team members to quickly and conveniently access IT assistance whenever it may be needed, to any degree. This means that your team will no longer need to wait around for assistance when they need it—they’ll have a trusted provider waiting in the wings to help.

Fourth, Managed Services are Proactive, Which Helps Eliminate Additional Spending

Which sounds like a better way for your team to spend their time: constantly calling support for assistance with frustrating little issues, or simply getting their work done without issues interfering with their productivity? Hopefully, you answered with the second option, which is precisely what the proactive nature of an MSP’s services help to facilitate.

The better your technology is maintained, the longer it will ultimately last and assist your business, with fewer repair costs and not needing replacement nearly as often. When all is said and done, paying a consistent and predictable cost to keep your IT working will always be simpler to budget than crossing your fingers and paying as issues arise.

If It Wasn’t Already Clear, We Recommend that You Consider What Managed Services Could Do for Your Budget

We’re more than happy to answer any questions you may have about our services, too, and how they could prove to be a more friendly option where your operational costs are concerned. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at (604) 513-9428 to learn more.

Across the board, modern businesses rely on no small amount of technology to support their operations, making it key that you, one, have the technology your operations require, and two, have the means to keep this technology operational. Fortunately, managed services help you by providing both. Let’s review what managed services are, and how they work.

Managed Services are the Next Level of Outsourced IT Support

Traditionally, a business seeking assistance with its technology would either have to rely on any internal team members to fulfill their needs, or turn to an external provider to do so by coming in to service their equipment. Nowadays, there’s a third option.

Managed services shift the focus of IT maintenance away from repair and instead focus on mediation, working proactively to prevent issues whenever possible through modern remote monitoring and maintenance activities. As a result, the downtime that was inherently a part of the other methods can be largely avoided.

For a predictable monthly fee, you’ll have an entire team keeping an eye on your business’ technology, catching issues and spotting signs of impending threats before they manifest. This translates to increased productivity and employee efficacy.

A managed service provider also assists a business in its future technology planning, considering where its technology currently stands and designing a strategy focused on improvement and growth over time.

In a Very Real Way, This Makes Managed Services an Easy Way of Expanding Your Business’ Capabilities

To be honest, we’ve barely scratched the surface of what managed services can do for your business, and we’d love to have the opportunity to discuss it with you in more detail. Please give us a call at (604) 513-9428 to learn more about the benefits of a managed service agreement.

October saw five vulnerabilities patched in Chrome, with two of those vulnerabilities being classified as zero-day threats. A zero-day threat is an attack that is already being used by cybercriminals by the time security researchers identify it. With the head start that the zero-day threat gives them, these cybercriminals have a dangerous advantage.

To add to the issue, two of these zero-day threats were also identified as high severity attacks, one taking the form of a JavaScript engine phishing attack and the other in a corruption vulnerability in one of Chrome’s features. While further details are scarce, the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) have warned us of their significance and their capability to assist an attacker in taking over an infected system.

Both threats have been spotted, so CISA is officially encouraging that all patches be applied, and updates made, to resolve these threats.

What Makes Updates So Important?

Let me ask you this: let’s say that your office’s front door would no longer lock securely. Would you leave it alone in the hopes that nobody would mess with it, or would you prioritize having the lock fixed?

This is the situation that business owners now find themselves in, and far too many of them simply hope that it won’t be a problem. Consider the fact that Google released a patch for one of these vulnerabilities via an update, but only half of users applied the update within a day.

Regardless of whether this is due to negligence or the possibility that the device they are using is simply outdated, this suggests that many companies are leaving their vulnerabilities exposed.

Coleman Technologies can help through our managed services, as we’ll ensure that your technology is patched and fixed appropriately. To learn more about our services, or to find out how else we can assist you in securing your business’ IT, reach out to us at (604) 513-9428.

There are significant benefits to be had by businesses that choose to seek out IT services and assistance from a managed service provider like us. We’re very aware that our word isn’t going to be super convincing on its own, of course, so let’s review what a managed service provider can do and how working with us can help your business.

Let’s begin by breaking down what we are as a managed service provider, and what we provide as such.

What are Managed IT Services, and What Makes Them So Different Than Typical Computer Support?

Managed services are the handling of a company’s assorted IT needs by an outsourced consultancy, staffed with subject matter experts who work proactively to prevent any possible IT issues before they interfere with a client business’ productivity. On top of this, true managed services also involve the active optimization and improvement of the business’ technology—not just preventing issues, but actually counteracting them through increased productivity that’s supplemented by on-demand technical support for a business’ employees.

Just a few short years ago, the term “managed services” was relatively niche. Today, the various attributes that MSPs—managed service providers—offer as an element of their business model have proven beneficial enough that the idea has become more noticeable, if you know where to look.

How to Spot an MSP

First of all, if you’re reading this, you’ve found one of the best options for managed services in British Columbia. However, if you’re one who likes to do their due diligence, a real MSP will generally offer some version of the following services:

• MSPs commonly work remotely, only coming onsite when there’s a need that requires hands-on mediation. This not only cuts down on in-office distractions and interruptions, it allows your issues to be resolved much more quickly.
  
  
• While many traditional IT companies would operate on a piecemeal basis, the ongoing services of an MSP make the subscription model a much better option. Not only does this allow you to more confidently predict your IT maintenance costs and budget appropriately, it also gives the client clear expectations through a pre-arranged service level agreement.
  
  
• Relatedly, rather than offering their services in catch-all blocks, an MSP can customize their services and prices to more exactly fit the needs of a client. Then, if those needs ever change, the MSP can adjust to meet them. This eliminates the tendency for companies to either overinvest beyond their needs, or miss out on clearly beneficial services because the price is too high.
  
  
• Critically, most MSPs offer all-hours support and remote maintenance services, so regardless of when an issue needs to be resolved, someone is there to work toward a solution.

In addition to these services, many MSPs can step in and actively boost your existing in-house IT department. Let’s say you have a few legacy systems that are on their way to being replaced and upgraded, but still need to be supported in the meantime. An MSP is motivated to keep their team educated so they will be able to offer that support if you lack a team member with the required knowledge.

Alternatively, your existing team may not be sufficient to handle both the maintenance of your existing systems and also serve their equally important function of strategizing improvements for the future. With the help of a managed service provider, either one can be taken off your internal team’s plate, allowing them to more effectively serve their role.

Plus, MSPs regularly communicate with assorted vendors to obtain services for their clientele. In these cases, you and the rest of the MSP’s clients effectively join the MSP as part of a cooperative, as an MSP often has access to better deals due to their regular business that can then be passed to you. 

Do the Services of an MSP Sound Beneficial to You?

Now, I know you likely have options to consider, but my team and I would love the chance to talk to you more directly about your needs and challenges so we can better roadmap an approach that would work best for you. Of course, if you aren’t ready for that yet, we’re also here to answer any questions you may have regarding our services.

In either case, give us a call at (604) 513-9428 to learn more.

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face the challenge of managing complex IT systems with very limited resources. Enter managed service providers, or MSPs, the guardians of IT that can help your business stay ahead of the game. An MSP's approach to IT support delivery offers many benefits that traditional IT support and even an in-house team might struggle to match.

Let's delve into three compelling reasons why our innovative approach is best for your IT support needs, especially if you want to scale up and streamline operations.

Reason 1: Proactive Management and Problem Prevention

A Shift from Reactive to Proactive

Traditionally, IT support has been reactive. The idea was that if (or, to be honest, when) something broke, you could call support, and they would fix it—hopefully quickly. The trouble was that support rarely knew the issue until they got there and started working on it, inherently extending the time there was an issue.

However, if you could prevent many IT issues from happening in the first place, you'll be in a much better position to be productive. MSPs excel in shifting from this reactive model to a proactive one, which helps accomplish this goal and rapidly speeds up the remediation process for any that materialize.

Continuous Monitoring and Maintenance

We use sophisticated tools to continuously monitor your IT infrastructure, identifying potential issues before they become critical. This means less downtime and more productivity for your business. Maintenance is performed as needed to ensure that your systems are up-to-date and running well without your team needing to devote constant attention to them.

Predictive Insights

With the help of advanced analytics and practiced experience, MSPs can predict trends and identify risks in your IT environment. This foresight allows our team to make strategic decisions that align with your business objectives, keeping your IT aligned with your long-term goals.

Reason 2: Access to Expertise and Latest Technologies

An Expert Team at Your Disposal

When you partner with Coleman Technologies, you gain access to a team of IT experts well-versed in the latest technologies and industry best practices. This expertise is often cost-prohibitive for SMBs to develop and cultivate in-house, but it is included in the managed services package.

Leveraging Cutting-Edge Solutions

MSPs invest in the latest IT support tools and technologies to deliver top-notch services. This means you benefit from our advanced solutions like cloud computing, cybersecurity, and backup and disaster recovery without the hefty upfront investment.

Tailored IT Strategies

No two businesses are alike, and we understand this. We'll work closely with you to develop customized IT strategies that address your unique needs and challenges. Whether enhancing your cybersecurity posture or facilitating a seamless move to the cloud, our professional technicians tailor their approach to help you achieve your objectives.

Reason 3: Cost-Effectiveness and Scalability

Predictable IT Spending

With an MSP, IT support costs become predictable. You typically pay a flat monthly fee that covers a range of services, which means no more unexpected expenses when something goes wrong. This allows for better financial planning and control over your IT budget.

Scalability to Match Business Growth

As your business grows, so do your IT needs. We offer scalable services that can be adjusted as your company evolves. Whether expanding your workforce, adding new locations, or increasing your service offerings, our services can be adapted to support your growth and other business goals.

Focused on Your Core Business

By outsourcing IT support to us, you and your team can focus on what you do best—running your business. This strategic move can free up internal resources, allowing you to invest more time and energy into areas that drive revenue and growth.

Why Managed Services?

Hopefully, this has clarified how my team's innovative approach can benefit your IT support needs. Now, let's dive deeper into why managed services are becoming the preferred choice for the small and medium-sized businesses of British Columbia.

A Partnership for Success

Managed services are not just about outsourcing IT tasks but about forming a partnership. MSPs take the time to understand your business and become an extension of your team, working collaboratively towards your success.

Enhanced Security and Compliance

With cyberthreats on the rise, MSPs strongly emphasize security and compliance. They stay up-to-date with the latest security protocols and regulatory requirements to protect your data and systems.

Focus on Innovation

MSPs are in the technology business, so we always look for ways to improve our services and offer innovative solutions. This drive for innovation means your business benefits from the latest IT advancements without the need to constantly monitor tech trends.

The Best IT Support Services are Tailored to Your Needs

Choosing the best IT support services requires finding a provider that understands your business and needs. Here are some key considerations when selecting an MSP:

Comprehensive Service Offerings

Look for an MSP that provides a wide range of services, from helpdesk support to cybersecurity, cloud services, and beyond. This ensures that all your IT needs can be met under one roof.

Strong Track Record

When considering a potential managed service provider to work with, you'll want to look at their overall longevity and what impression of their services has developed during that time. What do their current and past clients say about their services? A reputable MSP will have a history of delivering quality support and building long-term client relationships.

Alignment with Business Goals

Ensure the MSP is willing to align its services with your business goals. They should be proactive in suggesting improvements and willing to adjust their offerings as your business evolves. We're proud to call this one of our priorities.

Contact Us to Learn More About What We Can Do

Managed service providers offer an innovative, proactive, and cost-effective approach to IT support. By leveraging our expertise, technology, and scalability, you can enhance your IT infrastructure, reduce risks, and focus on growing your business.

If you're considering switching to managed services, remember to choose the provider that aligns with your goals and offers the comprehensive, tailored support that your business deserves. With us by your side, you can confidently navigate the complexities of IT and ensure your technology supports your business' success. Reach out to our team at (604) 513-9428 to learn more today.

What is Consulting?

Like we’ve established, it isn’t uncommon for people to recruit an expert or a professional with the capability to assist them with a task that the person cannot do. There are many reasons that people do so: they may not have the skill to safely work on whatever process is required of them, they may lack the technical know-how to complete it. Sometimes, it is simply to ensure that something is done the right way.

Whatever the reason may be, bringing in an expert (often referred to as a consultant), is a great way to help reinforce your chances of a positive outcome.

What You Should Expect When Working with Consultants

First and foremost, the consultants you work with need to have a better grasp on their area of expertise than you do, and should be motivated to give you the value that you are looking for in a provider. Coleman Technologies qualifies as a consultant for managed services, working with businesses to ensure their information technology solutions are optimized.

As such, we are committed to using the experience and expertise that we have built up to deliver the solutions and services that our clients need to be successful. After all, the success of a managed service provider is dependent on the success of its clients, providing the motivation to deliver services that deliver the positive outcomes these businesses are looking for.

There are a variety of services we offer to help accomplish this shared goal through our consultation. If the technology you use could stand to see an upgrade, following through with us allows the decision makers we work with to take the data on their past and present IT strategies. As a result, we can make the best decisions for them that will help to cement their business’ future.

Here are some of the consulting services that we offer:

Virtual CIO

One of the biggest concerns that businesses come to us with regarding their technology is (predictably) the cost associated with their IT implementations. There are a few reasons that that they’ll do so… some are looking to upgrade, others will want to scale their technology to match their business’ growth without outpacing their budget. Whatever the reason, there is one fundamental motivation why they do so:

In essence, these companies want to make sure that their investment will provide them with the value they require (or really, demand) of it.

Working with you as your Virtual CIO, we can oversee your complete IT strategy. Our seasoned professionals will evaluate your current technology, identify which products and services will serve your needs best without breaking the bank, and work with you to strategize your approach to your IT from top to bottom. As a result, you aren’t saddled with the responsibilities to research and come to decisions - duties that you probably have neither the time nor the practical experience to take on.

Business Process Management

One of the major benefits of any business technology is the positive effect it has on efficiency. When working to streamline your processes, your in-house resources may not have the perspective to see the big picture and come up with an efficient and effective plan. An outside resource, like a managed service provider, has that needed perspective. Pair that with the experience they have in optimizing business resources, and you have a winning combination.

By working with a partner who is committed to equipping you with the processes and tools from start to finish, you can shift your productivity/waste ratio in the right direction - and the better your productivity, the higher your revenue.

Vendor Management

How much time has your business sunk, in total, into working with your vendors? How much has that cost the business? You need to keep in mind that vendors are - in most cases - effectively salesmen. Not to say this is a bad thing, but it does mean that the majority of vendors will prioritize making a sale over ensuring you get what will serve you best. However, with Coleman Technologies, you will no longer need to deal with vendors … we’ll do it for you. Anything you need, you’ll be able to call us and get it, simplifying and streamlining your procurement.

Find Out How Else We Can Help

By working with a managed service provider, a company has a simpler means of handling their crucial technology. Whenever they need a problem solved, they simply lean on their provider to see to what’s needed… whether that’s support, resource management, or a representative to speak to vendors. Coleman Technologies can be that for your business.

To learn more about our consulting services, reach out to us at (604) 513-9428 - and don’t forget to check back here on Wednesday for part four of this series!

What Should My Documentation Include?

Basically, your documentation should be a complete inventory of all the technology you have, first divided between your hardware and software solutions.

Hardware

There’s a lot of information regarding your hardware solutions that you will want to keep a record of, as it will make a lot of processes a lot simpler moving forward.

Serial/Model Numbers – These will help you to ensure that the device you are working on is the one you think it is, in addition to simplifying things for your support team.

Purchase Dates – If any of your decisions are going to be based on the age of the device (i.e. whether to repair or replace), knowing how long you have had it will help you to evaluate if you got the value from your investment.

Warranty Information – On a related note, knowing the terms of an item’s warranty can help you make the best decision for your business while taking this into consideration.

Installation Dates – Let’s say that one of your workstations is acting up. If you knew that it was installed the day before an extended brownout hit your office, this information could help you narrow down the issue.

Physical Locations – It is important to know where a device is supposed to be. This makes it easier for the service team to keep it maintained, as well as boosts your security somewhat.

Device Names – Having a name for a specific device, aside from the one the manufacturer assigned, adds another level of differentiation.

IP Addresses – If you need to find something on your network, knowing the IP address will help immensely.

Software

Just as is the case with your hardware, there’s a lot of information about your software to carefully record and track. Make sure you’re establishing the following in your documentation:

Product Licenses – Similarly to the serial number, keeping track of your product licenses ensures you are aware of how many copies of a given title you have available to use.

Purchase Dates – Again, as with your hardware, knowing when you acquired something helps you find out of your purchase is still under warranty, along with other pertinent details.

Install Dates – Once again, if you know when a given software was installed on a system, you’ll know a lot more about it through inference and deduction.

Subscription Details – If you maintain a subscription to a software suite or similar tool, keeping track of your subscription details can ensure your ability to use that title.

Usernames or Registration Emails - Knowing who in your organization is associated with your various software titles can help you log in to a vendor’s website or otherwise receive support later.

Version History – Finally, keeping up with your software’s current version in your documentation can help you keep track of where updates are needed, and where you may be susceptible otherwise. Of course, your documentation should outline the proper update procedures as well.

Why Bother with All This Documentation?

Simplicity. Security. Peace of mind.

Maintaining your technology will be so much easier with these details recorded for future reference, allowing you to get the maximum value for your investments into IT. For assistance in establishing these processes, or for insights about what we track, give us a call! Our professionals can be reached at (604) 513-9428.

Quibi’s Crash and Burn

In a market already saturated with on-demand streaming services, Quibi offered something at least a little different in its short-form episodic storytelling and big-name casting. It also had quite the financial backing to support it—$1.75 billion in funding. Pair that with a monthly price tag of $5, and on paper, it would seem to be a surefire hit.

Unfortunately, this just wasn’t enough for the platform. With much more time on their hands thanks to the pandemic, short-form content didn’t have the same appeal… especially that which was restricted to a mobile device, and inaccessible on the entertainment systems that many prefer to use while at home. Quibi also had an uphill battle to fight against other options and services for such content, like YouTube and other free and ad-supported platforms.

This ultimately led to Quibi shutting down seven months after it launched, with much of the funding for it returned to investors.

So, what can we learn from this?

Simply put, it is not enough to just have an idea, especially when the timing is wrong. While we can’t say for certain that Quibi would have fared better should circumstances have been different, it is an interesting possibility to consider.

Bitcoin Scam Twitter Hack

In one of the most unsettling attacks that took place this year, many high-profile Twitter accounts—including those belonging to Bill Gates, Barack Obama, Elon Musk, and Kanye West—were hacked in an attempt to push a Bitcoin-based scam.

Fortunately, Twitter jumped into action and locked down these accounts before too much damage was done and has taken further steps to ensure account security… although it did raise some questions as to what might have happened if the motives behind the attacks were more destructive.

Zoom’s Security Missteps

As the world locked down, people and businesses needed to find a new way to communicate amongst one another. While many video conferencing systems like Skype, Microsoft Teams, and others fumbled this opportunity, Zoom was able to embrace it.

Unfortunately, Zoom’s security was lacking early on, which was made abundantly clear once so many had started using it. Hate speech and lewd content was shared in meetings, coining the term “Zoombombing.”

Since then, Zoom has taken steps to improve the platform’s security and users have given more thought to securing their conferences.

The Assorted Coronavirus Myths and Misinformation

Of course, we can’t talk about the technology fumbles of 2020 without bringing up the coronavirus and the various messes created because of it. For instance:

• Numerous conspiracy theories linking the development of 5G connectivity to COVID-19, resulting in acts of cell tower vandalism and assault against telecom employees.
• Bill Gates being accused of masterminding COVID-19 or using the pandemic to implant people with microchips—despite his long history of contributing to disease-fighting causes and efforts.
• Fumbled information sharing efforts on the part of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.

To their credit, many social media platforms took more aggressive efforts against misinformation, flagging some misleading posts.

So, What Does This Have to Do with Your Business?

Simple: while the above examples were obviously larger-scale issues, they demonstrate that technology is far from perfect and how easily it can be turned against your interests. This is especially the case when you consider the technology you utilize in your business.

Here at Coleman Technologies, we’re experts in all things IT, and lend that expertise to your business’ benefit. Not only can we help optimize the technology you currently use, we can also help you make the improvements needed to advance your operations. Whether it’s helping you keep your work accounts secure or steering you away from an application that will ultimately create bigger problems, we are at your service.

It’s just what a good managed IT service provider does.

To find out more about what our team offers, give us a call at (604) 513-9428.

Information technology—IT—is a necessity for the vast majority of modern businesses to function. For the sake of these businesses and their operations, it pays to optimize this IT by any means available.

Let’s go over the benefits that a relationship with a managed service provider gives businesses, particularly regarding the overall efficiency these businesses see as a result.

Managed Services Make Technology Optimization the Standard

This is key because an optimized IT infrastructure will be an efficient one.

Efficiency is, after all, the goal of optimizing it in the first place. Older technologies will naturally slow down with age, particularly when compared to newer technologies. This is ultimately unavoidable.

That said, maintaining these older technologies as they age can help extend their useful

lifetimes simply because doing so helps remove some of the factors that speed up a device’s degradation. It won’t make these devices unendingly useful by any stretch, but it will help them remain efficient for longer than otherwise.

Of course, once the time comes that replacement is more efficient than maintenance, a managed service provider will help identify the technology that meets the current needs for it with room for the future.

This Leads to the Next Benefit: Cost Optimization

While giving your team less than they need doesn't make sense, giving them too much doesn’t make any more sense.

So far, our focus has been on ensuring your technology keeps up with your business’ and, by extension, your team’s demands. Let’s consider the opposite scenario, one in which every member of your team has the same hardware and software regardless of their role or need for the technology.

It almost makes sense if considered from a particular perspective—”Maybe they’ll grow in their skills and take on responsibilities that would call for X-program or Y-hardware!” Of course, then there’s the argument that working with an MSP makes just about every technology you invest in much easier to scale.

With an MSP in your corner, it becomes far easier for you to scale your different technologies in such a way that everyone has exactly what their role requires. Nothing more, nothing less, and if something changes, it is far simpler to adjust what they have to fit their new responsibilities.

These Are Just Two Ways that an MSP Helps a Business Optimize Its IT

What else do you think an MSP could help your business do?

You can find out. Give Coleman Technologies a call at (604) 513-9428 to learn more about what we can do for you.

Defining Managed Services

On a very fundamental level, managed services and tech support are very different due to the way they operate.

Traditional tech support, also referred to as break-fix IT, are those that most people think of. Whenever a piece of technology breaks down or has some other issue, an IT technician is called to fix it. This was the predominant—and really, the only—option to receive any level of IT support for some time, despite the expensive repeat visits and prolonged operational interruptions that came with it. For larger enterprises, hiring full-time IT staff solved this problem. It’s still costly, and often too costly for small businesses, but it does lead to faster turnaround times and ongoing support.

On the other hand, managed services are specifically designed with the small-to-medium-sized business in mind. Instead of waiting around for a company to call with an IT issue, a managed service provider will instead proactively monitor a company’s solutions to ensure nothing goes wrong in the first place. We’ll go a little deeper into how this is particularly beneficial later on, after we review how managed services came to be.

The Development of IT Support Services

Back when computers were first made available to businesses, small regional providers known as system builders that would construct generic computers for companies to use began to pop up. Large companies soon followed suit, and as a result, the high price of personal computers was reduced significantly.

In response to this change, system builders shifted away from the labor-intensive creation of computers to simply reselling those that the larger companies made. This gave them the title of systems reseller and proved to be a lucrative approach… especially without the Internet to facilitate direct-to-consumer computer sales.

Despite this, resellers discovered that they could generate higher profits by adding to what the manufacturers were providing. This led to the development of value-added resellers, or VARs. These VARs would sell the machines to consumers, as well as help install them and add them to existing computer networks. These networks and their needed infrastructure grew in importance as the Internet became a viable tool for businesses to use in the 1990s.

It was then that the VARs became systems integrators, and commonly provided break-fix repair services.

As the 1990s approached the 2000s, IT services were common enough for providers to start to act as advisors to their clients, recommending tools and introducing best practices into the clients’ networks. It was then that the term IT consultant was used.

Finally, with businesses relying on their technology more than ever before, it was no longer sustainable to solve problems after they happened. This helped drive the idea of proactive monitoring, remote maintenance, and online service delivery forward. At this point, the managed service provider was a reality, with the security of proactive support delivered in return for a set monthly fee.

What Can an MSP Do for My Business?

Today, managed services are the right choice for a business that wants to improve its operations while managing their time and budget more effectively. With a single provider taking care of all its IT management and maintenance needs, a business subscribed to these services gets to enjoy clear operational benefits with the confidence that their technology is reliable.

Coleman Technologies is proud to be known as an MSP, delivering top-notch solutions and services to businesses in a sustainable and beneficial way. To learn more about how we can assist you in your operations, give us a call at (604) 513-9428.

Understanding Why Managed Services Work

It may help to look at managed services a lot like how you’d look at any other outsourced services provider external to your business, fulfills some business needs you to have. However, this service goes a little more in-depth than many you may be more familiar with. An MSP (or managed services provider) will supplement your existing technology management, reducing the responsibilities you have to maintain them (oh, and the costs of doing so as well).



While this might not sound like much at first, it can greatly cut down on the time and resources that any one of your given tasks can require. Let’s assume that your IT technicians spend about 45 minutes each day on maintaining your servers, and again, that’s maintenance. An issue could make this process take much longer.



So, each week your techs are spending three hours and forty-five minutes on mere maintenance. What else could be accomplished during the time dedicated to this maintenance? Now, think about how that time increases every time an issue is discovered, and all the time that is spent resolving these issues after the fact.



It all adds up pretty quickly.

However, adopting managed services can help relieve your in-house staff of these responsibilities. This could allow them to devote more time to improving your business’ technology, or supporting your other internal staff, or any other goal that would benefit your operations more than playing Whack-a-Mole with IT issues ever would. Can you confidently say they have the time to accomplish all this now?

What If You Don’t Have Internal IT Resources on Staff?

If you don’t have internal IT resources, outsourcing your IT needs to a managed services provider has even greater benefits. Take, for example, the reduced financial obligation. While there are many benefits to maintaining a small business, the typically limited size of the budget isn’t one of them. These limitations may mean that you have fewer qualified in-house IT technicians, meaning that some of the IT maintenance and support falls to your other employees -- likely IT novices. This is just too risky to enact, as improperly configured or maintained solutions could (and likely will) contribute to major issues with downtime.



Managed services help to make your solutions more predictable, without the need to manage and maintain them internally. To find out more things that Coleman Technologies can do as an MSP, give us a call at (604) 513-9428.

Let’s go over some of the ways that an MSP can help reduce your support costs, while still providing better support than the alternative.

Where Support Costs Build Up

Take a moment and consider why technology costs tend to rise so rapidly once an issue is discovered.

• The technology itself could be expensive to repair or replace.
• The repair fee will likely include fees and travel costs in addition to the cost of the service itself.
• The repair is likely only focused on fixing the immediate problem, without considering if it will recur or if the fix itself will cause further problems down the road, leading to repeat visits.
• If an issue does happen, you have to call in the technician for them to come and actually fix the problem. This all takes a lot of time, before the repair even takes place, which itself can take a large amount of billable time as well. So, in addition to paying for the travel time for the tech to get there and the time they spend solving the issue, you are also incurring costs through missed productivity.
• It is next to impossible to predict these kinds of expenses when trying to budget out your year, as you can never know when you may be surprised. If you set aside too little, you could drain your budget long before you planned.

Of course, this is assuming that you would call a regular tech support company and that you didn’t have a managed service agreement with an MSP. Most of the above issues can be resolved much more efficiently (and cost-efficiently) through a managed approach, as we’ll demonstrate:

How MSPs Ease These Budgetary Challenges

Let’s go through the reasons we went through before, that would typically lead to swelling costs and exceeded budgets. This time, however, we’ll assume that you’re leaning on an MSP for your IT assistance and support.

• While the technology could be expensive for others to procure, the MSP likely has developed a relationship with vendors who can provide them with more affordable solutions.
• Many problems can actually be resolved remotely, as the MSP takes full advantage of. This means that travel costs are usually unnecessary, and anything that falls within the agreement with the MSP is covered by a consistent monthly fee.
• In addition to fixing the problem at hand, the MSP uses their access and vantage point to identify the root cause of the issue. This means that the issue itself is resolved, preventing future intervention from becoming necessary.
• Your MSP will also monitor your technology for these kinds of issues, using special tools that alert them of inconsistencies and errors. Since they use remote access to do so, they can even find potential problems and proactively fix them. Even if an on-site visit is required, it may be included in the agreement, as well. As a result, your team can return to work--and therefore productivity--that much quicker.
• With a recurring and inclusive fee for these services, budgeting for a managed service provider is a relative breeze. Any changes you need to make (like if you add more employees to further boost your productivity) can easily be incorporated into your monthly fee, keeping costs in check.

Interested in finding out more? Reach out to our team and ask about what other benefits working with us can bring! Call (604) 513-9428 today.

As necessary as technology is in modern business operations, a variety of common IT-related obstacles must be overcome for your efforts to succeed. Fortunately, partnering with a managed service provider (MSP) can make these obstacles less “mountain” and more “molehill.” Let’s examine some of the most often seen business technology challenges and discuss how a relationship with an MSP helps alleviate them.

Your Users Aren’t Properly Trained

It’s one thing to have the right tools at your business’ disposal… it’s another entirely for your workforce to understand how to use them fully. As with any business process, your team must be familiar with the tools they are expected to use to do so effectively.

Partnering with an MSP like Coleman Technologies, however, gives you access to subject matter experts who will help you lead your team along the right path and teach them the best practices for being as productive as possible while upholding the stringent security standards modern operations require. Investing the time to focus on your employees’ skills and expertise—while also giving them a resource to turn to—will provide you with some significant benefits in the long term. 

For That Matter, Your Users Aren’t Properly Supported

On a related note, your workforce will need somewhere to turn if (and when) they encounter a problem with their tech. While you may have an internal IT team for this exact purpose, that shouldn’t be their only concern. Every moment this team spends dealing with an IT issue is one less to invest in your organization’s future IT, and vice versa. If you don’t have an internal team (as many small businesses don’t), this exacerbates the problem, as many external providers charge exorbitant fees per call.

This is not the case when working with us. We’ll be there for your staff to contact if they ever have a question about their technology or need assistance with some aspect of their IT. Alternatively, we could work in the background to plan your business’ future technology implementations on your behalf.

Your Business IT Doesn’t Meet Necessary Compliance

Governing bodies and industry groups have been known to set standards that businesses must meet, benefiting their clients and society in general. Failure to meet these standards is often met with some consequence, often in the form of lost privileges or fines.

These consequences are often severe and should be avoided, as they could significantly impact your business’ capabilities in the long term.

Working with us means that you are working with a resource that is likely very familiar with the regulatory standards your business must meet (after all, they’ve likely dealt with it before) and can work on your behalf to ensure that all the “t”s are crossed and all the “i”s are dotted in terms of your compliance. We will be there to keep your business secure and productive and do so in a way that keeps those governing bodies and industry groups happy.

Your Business Isn’t Properly Secured

Security is not something that any business can—or should—take for granted. There is an obscene volume of cyberthreats, most of them gunning for easy targets.

Unfortunately, there’s only so much you can do to protect yourself and your business from the threats that are so prevalent today—largely through no fault of your own. After all, you have a business to run, a commitment that almost certainly takes most of your energy and attention. That said, you might not have that business to run without the protections necessary to protect your operations from today’s threats.

We can help you manage and maintain these protections, providing monitoring services to help catch issues of all kinds (including cybersecurity incidents) and respond to them with the appropriate measures. Furthermore, we will help advise and guide you in protecting your business correctly, recommending different tools and measures to ensure your business' defense.

You Have No Plan for Your Technology’s Future

Finally, every small business should strive for growth, whether that growth is in size, scale, or capability. This goal will require some form of business development, which means that the organization’s IT needs will also change.

We can be there from the very start to help businesses design a strategy to help sustainably guide these changes, ensuring that the technology an organization relies on is prepared to scale as it does in a way that the business can support. Consider what you want your own business to look like in a year, five years, or ten years from now. Working with an MSP sets you up to reach that, in terms of your technology’s role.

We Can Be Your MSP

Reach out to Coleman Technologies today to get started. Give us a call at (604) 513-9428.

What are Managed Services?

Let’s start off with a very basic description of what “managed services” are, as compared to the common impression of “tech support.” Whenever one thinks about “tech support” or “IT,” they’re likely thinking of the break-fix version: some piece of information technology breaks or malfunctions, so IT is called in to fix it. While this proved effective enough, it also led to a lot of repeat visits… oftentimes for things that were relatively simple to fix.

Managed services are a different approach, tailored particularly for small to medium-sized businesses. Instead of waiting for something to go wrong, a company will enlist a managed service provider—or MSP—to proactively monitor their IT to help prevent issues from impacting it. This brings a variety of benefits that we’ll touch upon later. Right now, we wanted to look back and consider how this approach was first devised and deployed.

The History of Computer Support and Services

As computers were first introduced into the business landscape, so-called system builders—small regional businesses that offered “white box”, or generic computers—would offer other businesses their services. Large companies soon joined in, and this resulted in the prices of personal computers plummeting.

To adapt, system builders quickly shifted from constructing labor-intensive computer systems to reselling what the large companies would offer, making the systems reseller a lucrative thing to be. After all, before the Internet helped link the manufacturer to the end user, these manufacturers needed a go-between to get these devices into a customer’s hands. However, as time passed, these resellers realized that they needed to do more. As a result, systems resellers phased into “VARs”, or value-added resellers.

Basically, VARs were computer resellers who would not only sell the machines but would also assist with the installation and networking of these systems. As the Internet became more applicable to business needs and challenges in the early 1990s, this networking (and the additional equipment needed to support it) only became more crucial.

At this point, the VARs became known as the systems integrators, as this more accurately described their function. This point in time was also the high point for break/fix IT repair services.

As the late ‘90s rolled around, IT services were commonplace enough that providers were frequently stepping into advisory roles for their clients, making recommendations and implementing best practices. With this shift, systems integrators adopted the title of IT consultants.

Of course, as the technology used by businesses became more advanced and capable, repairing issues as they arose became less feasible. This, paired with the remote capabilities that the Internet was able to support, made the idea of proactive maintenance and online solution delivery a workable possibility.

Thus, managed services were born, with service providers delivering up-to-date and optimized solutions in exchange for a set monthly rate.

What Do Managed Services Entail?

Nowadays, managed services have risen to become the preferred choice for businesses in the know, thanks to the improvements that these businesses see to their productivity and operations. With a single provider attending to all a business’ IT-related needs, working with a managed service provider has shown to have clear operational benefits.

At Coleman Technologies, our team of professionals is proud to provide the best managed services that businesses could ask for at a reasonable, all-inclusive rate. Interested in learning more about our services? Reach out to our team by calling (604) 513-9428 today.

With technology being so important for all businesses in at least some capacity, it’s no small wonder that effectively using it (and having someone on-hand to manage it all) is tremendously valuable for any company. This is where a managed service provider (MSP) can be helpful, even for businesses that have a dedicated IT department. All small businesses benefit from working with an MSP.

Operational Benefits Aplenty

An MSP can help your business achieve greater operational efficiency in the following ways.

Proactive Maintenance Leads to Fewer IT Issues

Stopping problems from occurring in the first place is much easier than responding to them when they disrupt operations. An MSP will monitor your network to ensure that any telltale signs of problems are addressed quickly and efficiently. This will minimize downtime and keep your business profitable.

Indeed, the best way to see an MSP’s true value is to look at what you don’t see: technology problems. If they are doing their job right, it will be like they aren’t even there.

Guidance on Technology Implementation

You started your business to provide a good or service that you are an expert in to your clientele, but if that good or service doesn’t include technology, it’s easy to feel like you don’t have the expertise to succeed in this realm of your business.

MSPs can help you overcome this deficit by providing an expert technology specialist for your organization’s needs. They can optimize your technology, work with your vendors, and manage technology over time to ensure that it’s working for your business, not against your operations.

Focus on the Here and Now, But Also the Future

If you want your business to succeed in the future, you need to start planning for it now. An MSP can help you identify what’s working well now and what might pose a challenge for your business in the future. Additionally, they can help your business stay on top of trends and developing technology solutions that will prove crucial moving forward.

How to Choose Your MSP

We think you’ll find our services helpful, but we want you to come to that conclusion yourself. Here are some aspects of an MSP to consider for your company’s needs:

• A dedication to security: You don’t have time to spend on securing your business and ensuring that all regulatory compliance requirements are met. An MSP can keep your business safe while ensuring adherence with industry regulations so your business can focus on profitability.
• Offers educational resources: Security extends to your employees who need refreshers every now and then on how to keep the business safe. A good MSP will invest time and resources into ensuring your team knows how to navigate the often-confusing world of technology.
• They might as well join your team: You might expect an in-house IT team to know your infrastructure inside and out, and an MSP can deliver on this expectation without actually being on your payroll in the traditional sense. A good MSP will be invested in your business’ success considering important factors like your budget and priorities when thinking about technology-related issues for your company.

Ready to get started with an MSP? We know the best in town (hint—it’s us!). Call us today at (604) 513-9428 to get started.