For retail businesses like yours, it can be hard to keep up. You don’t only need to manage your daily operations; you also need to keep up with the fast technological advancements to keep your customers happy and your business afloat.
This results in increasing IT infrastructure and hardware and software costs. And you neither have the money nor the time to manage your own IT.
Fortunately, you have the option of outsourcing this part of the business through Managed IT.
In our comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into Managed IT and why it matters for businesses in the retail industry.
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Managed IT is a service that offers businesses an opportunity to offload IT tasks to an expert to improve service quality, bring down costs, and free staff to do work that’s more specific to the business. A company providing this type of service is called a managed service provider or MSP.
An MSP can provide technical support to your internal teams, manage and maintain your servers, implement security policies, and ensure your business stays compliant with industry regulations.
By outsourcing your IT management to experts, you can free up your staff to focus on core business activities rather than spending time managing and maintaining your IT system. This can help improve productivity and reduce the need for in-house IT staff. In addition, an MSP can help optimize your IT infrastructure and identify and resolve any issues hindering your efficiency.
Trustwave’s 2020 Global Security Report found that 24% of all cyberattacks targeted retailers, and the new normal of eCommerce and work from home (for back office staff) makes retail a huge target. To mitigate such risks, partnering with an MSP is your best bet, as these experts have access to broader tools and techniques that can significantly fortify your network defenses.
When an IT problem arises, trying to figure out the cause and how to get it fixed can eat up your precious time – and money from your bottom line. Additionally, it can interrupt the ideal customer experience you’re aiming to provide. With Managed IT, you can prevent a downtime event; in the event one does happen, your retail business can get back up on its feet quicker than if you deal with the problem on your own.
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Trends change over time, and these days, they change fast. This means that your IT systems will have to adjust accordingly. These adjustments can either be downward or upward, depending on your needs. Either way, it is best to have an expert assist you. A third-party IT provider that consists of knowledgeable consultants is sure to make any transition, whether expansion or downsizing, easy.
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If your retail business accepts credit card payments, you need to ensure that you are in compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). This information security standard aims to prevent data theft and fraud. Using various tools and processes, a managed IT provider can ensure your retail business is in PCI Compliance. An MSP can quickly identify areas in your network and cardholder data environment.
A steady cash flow is crucial for retail businesses. Unfortunately, if you need full-time IT support for your operations, it's going to take a huge bite into your cash reserves. That's because building your own IT department requires a high investment. Managed services can help address that. They are often offered at fixed rates and predictable and scalable fees, depending on your organization's needs.
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When you use managed IT services, you rely on an external provider to manage and maintain your company’s IT systems. This can lead to a loss of control over your IT operations.
If your managed IT provider gets hacked, a cybercriminal could gain access to your business. Cases like these are few and far between but it does happen.
Managed IT providers may have limitations on the level of customization they can offer, which could be a problem for companies with unique or specialized IT needs.
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As more and more businesses realize the benefits of managed IT, it’s no surprise that retailers are also looking for better solutions. If you experience the following, you may need managed IT:
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While managed IT offers multiple benefits for retail businesses, there are certain situations where it does not make sense for the company, such as the following:
In this case, you may be better off on your own or benefit more from co-managed IT.
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How much does managed IT cost? MSPs will often tell you, “It depends” - because it’s true. Managed IT costs will always vary depending on different factors like:
However, a reasonable price range to expect is anywhere from $130 to $250 per user per month.
The retail industry is highly competitive; the last thing you need is any downtime, security issues, or just your overall IT ecosystem letting you down. By outsourcing your IT to an MSP, you can:
At ITS, we help hundreds of clients make intelligent choices about their technology. If you want to know where your business currently stands and how we can help you find a suitable IT solution, schedule a free network assessment with us today.
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The retail industry is highly competitive; the last thing you need is any downtime, security issues, or just your overall IT ecosystem letting you down. By outsourcing your IT to an MSP, you can:
At ITS, we help hundreds of clients make intelligent choices about their technology. If you want to know where your business currently stands and how we can help you find a suitable IT solution, schedule a free network assessment with us today.
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