Computers started to enter the workplace in significant numbers with the release of the original IBM PC in the 1980’s. When problems arose, users could either turn to the manufacturer or find someone who was ‘good with computers’ to help. Managed Services grew out of this practice.
Whilst very large organizations can afford dedicated IT departments, for most businesses, this is simply not cost-effective. Instead, managing a company’s IT resources are outsourced to specialist firms, Managed Service Providers [MSP].
This is analogous with other professional service providers such as Solicitors and Accountants. These are areas requiring long study and many years experience. IT is the same. When it comes to Tax and Legal matters, you would use firms with suitably qualified and experienced staff. Placing your IT affairs in the hands of a company populated by graduates in computer studies, each with many years experience dealing with IT issues, is a sound professional decision for the safeguarding of your business.
Whilst not an exhaustive list, an MSP’s work typically includes:
• 24/7/365 monitoring of all systems
• buying new equipment when needed
• making sure hardware is properly configured and performing correctly
• making sure all software and licenses are up-to-date
• securing the entire system – computers, networks, storage – against cyber-attacks
• ensuring data is regularly backed up.
• ensuring there are engineers available to intervene, diagnose and resolve problems, should any arise
• keeping clients informed of relevant developments in the world of IT
To run your business, you will need a certain amount of equipment – desktops/laptops, servers, networks and mobile devices – and software. Despite the best efforts of engineers and coders, nothing is 100% reliable, so problems will arise.
• Your MSP will be monitoring your systems, day and night. At the first sign of anything untoward, they’ll intervene and resolve.
• A full cyber security policy will be implemented, extending far beyond simple anti-virus packages so your servers, your networks, your mobile devices, your apps will all be protected.
• Your data, wherever it is located, will be regularly backed-up, ensuring the inconvenience of loosing work is minimized.
In short, your MSP will make sure your systems are healthy and powering your business.
Companies of any size can benefit from an arrangement with an MSP, but for different reasons:
• We work with a number of Sole Traders and one-man/woman companies. For these clients, we make sure they have the most up-to-date software, with all updates and security patches applied, for their laptop and mobile and arrange for all their work to be regularly backed up.
• For Micro, Small and Medium sized companies, we extend our services to cover servers, networks, etc.
• For large companies, with small IT teams, we provide extra resources on an as-required basis, including holiday cover.
• For very large companies, 1st line support (think triage in a hospital) can be outsourced, freeing staff to concentrate on higher value-added IT projects.
In short, businesses of all sizes can benefit from using a Managed Service Provider.
Many businesses simply don’t realise how dependent they are on their IT. Take Estate Agents, normally considered quite a people business. If their IT fails, they can’t book viewings, take details, send out offers, post new properties, etc. Basically, their business is on-hold until the problems are solved. In this scenario, Managed Services is a form of Insurance. If something happens, there’s someone to turn to.
There is a great deal of commonality across business sectors when it comes to the work of a Managed Service Provider. Everyone requires their systems be kept safe and their data backed up. Where differences do emerge, they tend to be related to industry-specific practices and software, but not to the point where a specialist MSP is required. Aptus has experience in working with many companies across a wide range of business sectors. Historically, we have particularly strong ties with the Wealth Management, Courier/Freight, Construction and plumbing/air-conditioning industries, but our clients come from all walks of life.
Aptus is a long-established business with a well-deserved reputation for responsiveness and our ability to resolve problems quickly. We are highly experienced, providing a full range of Managed Services to nearly one hundred businesses across London and the South-East in a wide range of business sectors. The services we provide are bespoke to each client but, regardless of the size of your business, you’ll receive the same efficient, proactive and professional service, based on a combination of up-to-date technical knowledge with a positive can-do attitude, that we provide to all our clients.
But we would hope to be more than just another supplier. Our goal is to become a strategic partner, actively helping you to grow your business through expert advice and guidance in IT-related matters, helping to increase productivity and reduce computer-related risk, allowing your business to flourish.
You can contact us via email or use our service portal to create a ticket. However, most people prefer to telephone our Helpdesk. Aptus guarantees a 15 minute response, but most are responded to far more quickly than this.
You’ll explain what your problem and the engineer will try to resolve it then and there. Typically, this will involve talking you through a series of steps or remotely logging onto your computer to resolve the matter directly. The majority of calls are resolved within 15 minutes of you getting in touch.
You can sign a Framework Agreement for Ad Hoc work, which is commitment free and works as a pay-as-you-go system. If you find you are using us more regularly, and your needs are better understood, you might like to consider moving to a Service Level Agreement, with packages starting at £195/month. As each client’s requirements are unique, we can’t provide detailed pricing, as we don’t operate a one-size-fits-all approach.
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