Cost conscious companies migrate to managed services

A report from the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) - a US non-profit IT trade association - has revealed that small to medium sized businesses (SMBs) are embracing solutions such as managed IT services. Thirty percent of more than 400 SMBs surveyed said they planned to implement managed IT services in 2010, to reduce costs and maximise their competitive edge.

It was found that 40% of these SMBs did not have a formal IT department. Instead they relied upon members of staff taking on IT duties in addition to the core responsibilities of their roles.

Filling the skills gap

Outsourcing IT is a clear route to bridging the IT skills gap. According to CompTIA Vice President of Research, Tim Herbert, the study also reveals that SMBs are "putting increasing importance on technology solutions that drive revenues, produce immediate results to the bottom line and have a direct, positive impact on the customer's experience".

"IT solutions that are tied to instant return on investment in business communication and customer outreach efforts have the highest likelihood of adoption," he said.

The study also indicated the desirable qualities sought in managed IT services providers: 86 percent demanded partners that truly understood their business needs; 83 percent require scalable solutions and overall, it was found that SMBs are looking to make better use of their existing technologies, employees and budgets.

In today's cost conscious climate, SMBs also expressed the wish to keep existing IT systems operational and challenged with lean IT budgets are looking for ways of reduce the complexity and costs of their IT infrastructure.

Herbert suggests that managed IT services providers, "may well be advised to approach SMBs with IT solutions that represent low perceived risk or replacement solutions that positively impact upon productivity and efficiency... There is also the opportunity to provide ongoing maintenance services to help SMBs better manage their IT systems."

John Eady, Managing Director of Datashare Solutions - a leading UK provider of managed IT services - echoes Herbert's thoughts. "I am unaware of a similar study in the UK therefore cannot quote percentages, however as a business we are seeing an increasing need within the SME (small to medium sized enterprise) sector for quality IT support that enhances security, reliability and resistance. Virtualised IT has great scope to boost business performance and employee productivity."

"Above all," Eady continues, "professional managed IT services can help businesses drive their IT budgets harder and get the most out of their investment in IT."

Please contact Datashare Solutions for further details about its managed IT services.