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The Ultimate Guide to Managed IT for Retail Businesses

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Overview

The “buying on demand” economy is rising, and with it comes increasing customer demands. Not only do customers use numerous payment options, but also purchase items through multiple device options.

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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Who is This Guide for

This guide is made for retail businesses that:

  • Don’t know if they even need Managed IT.

Is your business too small for Managed IT? Can you or should you handle your IT needs on your own? Would your business be better off allocating your budget to inventory and labor rather than tech maintenance?

  • Don’t know what to look for in a provider.

How can you find a managed service provider (MSP) that you can trust with your business data? What type of Managed IT services do you even need?

  • Don’t know where to start when planning to integrate with a Managed IT provider.

What’s the first step to outsourcing your IT? How do you make sure you make the most of the offered services? How can you ensure you’re getting the best value for your money?

If any of the above sounds like you, read on. This guide will give you honest and objective guidance on Managed IT – whether or not you’re going with Intelligent Technical Solutions (ITS) or another provider.

What is Managed IT?

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.

Introduction to Managed IT

Types of Managed Services

There are several different categories under Managed IT:

Read more on Managed Service Types

Managed Communications Services

This type of Managed IT service offers businesses an opportunity to manage their communication needs through virtual private networks (VPNs), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and/or managed email and messaging services.

Managed Cybersecurity

Majority of retail businesses use multiple vendors – and those vendors have their own vendors. This creates a dangerous web of potential security threats. According to a Forrester report, six in ten security incidents arise from third party issues. With managed cybersecurity, you can strengthen your network defenses through expert threat monitoring and detection, incident response, and firewall management, among others.

Managed Data Analytics

This type of service, which includes data warehousing, mining, and visualization, offers a way to manage and analyze your data so that you can make better business decisions. An estimated 64% of companies reported that data analytics helped improve their productivity, and 50% made better financial decisions faster, according to a study by MicroStrategy.

Managed Print Services

An MSP offering this type of service can help remotely manage your print operations and cut down on many hidden costs. Some of these services include: 

  • Device support 
  • Device maintenance/repair 
  • Printer upgrades 
Hosted Cloud

Cloud-based services allow your team to share files and access data anytime, anywhere, ensuring greater flexibility and scalability. This type of service is the perfect solution for retail businesses that have teams operating remotely.

Managed Mobile Device Management (MDM)

Managed mobile device management (MDM) is a service that allows businesses to manage and secure their employees’ mobile devices. MDM services involve device enrollment, configuration management, and security policy enforcement, and may be done remotely, with the internet as the only barrier.

Advantages of Managed IT to Retail Businesses

There are several advantages to using managed IT services for retail businesses. These include the following:

1. Increased Employee Efficiency
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.
2. Robust Cybersecurity
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.
3. Quick Disaster Recovery
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.
4. Easier Scalability
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.
5. Maintained PCI Compliance
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.
6. Cost Savings
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.
Learn More About How Managed IT Can Help My Retail Business

Disadvantages of Managed IT to Retail Businesses

While there are several advantages to using Managed IT services for retail, there are also some potential disadvantages to consider. These include:

1. Loss of Control
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.
2. Third-Party Risk
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.
3. Limited Customization
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.
4. High Dependency
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Read: 4 Security Benefits of Managed IT Services (& 2 Disadvantages)
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When Do Retail Businesses Need Managed IT?

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:

  • Your retail business is struggling to keep up with new technology trends and IT requirements.
  • You need a higher level of expertise or more resources to manage your IT operations effectively.
  • Your systems are down more than 0.1% of the year.
  • You’ve been hacked, are experiencing security issues, or want to find out if you’ve been breached (+ what to do to prevent it from happening again).
  • You’re always bringing in outside help to fix emergencies that could have been detected and handled earlier.
  • You’re rapidly adopting new technology or hyper-focused on growth.
  • You are out of cybersecurity, data privacy, or PCI compliance.

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:

  • You are a small retail company with minimal IT needs (less than ten people on staff).
  • You already have an effective in-house IT team.
  • You have a very limited amount of resources and budget.

In this case, you may be better off on your own or benefit more from co-managed IT.

Find Out If My Business is Ready for Managed IT

How Much Does Managed IT for Retail Cost?

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:

  • Service time required
  • Number of users
  • Number of servers
  • Amount of data
  • Evolving needs

However, a reasonable price range to expect is anywhere from $130 to $250 per user per month.

If your business has a lot of workstations that need to be managed and protected by the same system, or you have an extensive workforce spread out over multiple locations (i.e., across state lines or internationally), these factors could increase your bill. The more people you have accessing your network, the higher the costs as well.

The pricing for managed IT also depends on how much security you require for each of your retail staff. For example, maybe one team member needs access to sensitive information, but another does not, thus requiring different levels of protection for each person’s devices or accounts on your network.

Learn More About ITS Pricing

How to Choose an MSP for Your Retail Business

If you’re looking to choose an MSP for your retail business, here are the steps you need to take:

1. Find an MSP with retail industry experience
Look for a provider that has experience working with businesses in the retail industry. This will ensure that they understand your business’s specific technology needs and challenges and can provide solutions tailored to you.
2. Check their service offerings
Once you’ve shortlisted names based on their retail industry experience, dig deeper by looking at their service offerings on their website. It’s best to look for a provider with a wide range of services, as this ensures you have access to all the tools and resources you need. However, remember that you don’t necessarily have to sign up for all those services; a good, honest MSP should recommend what you only need.
3. Search for their ratings and reviews
Further cut down your list by choosing managed IT providers with high ratings and a reputation for fast, efficient, and helpful assistance. Apart from reviews on their website (which likely will be all positive), search for their Google, Clutch.co, or Glassdoor feedback for a more objective look at how the company operates and takes care of their clients. Consider if the provider has IT certifications, awards, and nominations, as these are good indicators of service excellence as well.
4. Look for clear pricing structures
Finally, go with an MSP that is transparent about pricing and can provide a clear, detailed breakdown of services and fees. This will help you understand exactly what you’re paying for and ensure you’re getting good value for your money.
5. Talk to representatives
This last tip is crucial. Before meeting with a potential IT partner, ensure you have prepared a list of essential questions to ask the MSP. Try to visit the MSP’s office or at least have a video conference with the team. This allows you to see their work environment and verify their expertise.
Take Me to the "20 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Potential Partner MSP"

Ready to Get Retail-Focused Managed IT Services?

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:

  • Stay ahead of the curve,
  • Lessen the burden of managing your own IT infrastructure, and
  • Focus on serving your customers better.

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.

Get a Free Network Assessment

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