3 Technology Troubles Faced by SMBs and How Managed IT Support Can Solve Them

Technology can be a big problem for Small-to-Medium Sized Businesses (SMBs). Without the budget or expertise of a large organisation, computer crashes and cyberattacks are just one wrong click away.

That’s where Managed IT Support comes in. Managed IT Support is an outsourced service that helps companies to stay productive and protected, without the cost of an in-house team.

At Forth Tech, we’ve helped countless businesses take control of their technology, ensuring they stay secure and focused on growth. Starting a business is hard—here are three common IT problems faced by SMBs and how managed support can solve them.

1. Downtime and Technical Issues

We’re demanding more from our technology than ever before and this requirement for greater processing power puts a strain on old technology. If your computer is running an outdated operating system but you’re using the latest applications, it’s only a matter of time before you experience problems.

Even if your technology is up to date, most systems require regular updates to ensure that they remain compatible with the latest programs.  These updates require a strong internet connection, space to use and the processing power to handle it and the absence of just one of these is enough to cause problems. Downtime doesn’t just affect your staff either, it can also affect your clients and customers.

How Managed IT Support can help

With proactive monitoring, helpdesk support and automated patch updates, managed IT support can keep your systems running smoothly.

Automated monitoring systems scan your network around-the-clock, alerting your IT support team to any issues before they have a chance to escalate. They can also schedule security patches, system reboots and the deletion of temporary files to keep your technology running at its best – and it can be scheduled at convenient times that won’t cause disruption to your business.

2. Cybersecurity Threats

Cyberattacks are on the rise and SMBs are prime targets due to a lack of protection and full-time IT staff. Reactive cybersecurity is no longer enough. Companies of all sizes require proactive cybersecurity to help them stay one step ahead of cybercriminals who are getting smarter by the day. Cybercriminals are also increasingly focusing their efforts on people, tricking staff into revealing confidential information or providing access to files and networks.

Cyberattacks can cause companies significant damage in the short term—the cost of disrupted operations, replacement technology and ransoms all add up but the long-term effects can be even greater due to possible lawsuits, fines for breaching data protection regulations, not to mention the potential damage to your reputation.

How Managed IT Support can help

With managed IT support, you’ll benefit from 24/7 monitoring that will warn you and your team of any suspicious activity, giving you the opportunity to lock down your systems to prevent any further access or damage. Web filtering will ensure your staff don’t unknowingly access malicious sites and cybersecurity awareness training will give them the knowledge they need to be able to spot attempts to gain access.

3. Scalability and Outdated Technology

As businesses grow, technology can struggle to keep up with the increased demand, leading to slow systems and compatibility issues. Bottlenecks are likely to form in systems not designed to handle a greater number of users or transactions than they’re used to, affecting operations and revenue.

Companies may feel inclined to make large upfront costs to cover the increased requirements, only for levels to return to normal shortly after, leaving them with greater overheads than before. These issues can lead to a lack of confidence when it comes to handling growth, both internally and externally—with future periods of growth becoming a source of worry for staff and customers rather than a great opportunity.

How Managed IT Support can help

Managed IT can offer you scalable solutions like cloud computing and VoIP to ensure you’re prepared, so you can utilise periods of growth and enable it to continue. Instead of buying capacity that you might not immediately need, SMBs can use scalable systems to pay for resources only when they are required, saving money and time or by doing more with what you have, lowering operating costs as you grow.

Be prepared with Forth Tech

Building a successful business comes with its challenges and because companies now depend so much on technology to stay operational, even the smallest problem can have big implications if ignored. At Forth Tech, we provide fast, effective, professional managed IT support to keep your business running smoothly.

Continuous monitoring, proactive cybersecurity and scalable cloud solutions can boost your productivity, protect your network and support your development. If you’d like to be able to focus on your future without worrying about your technology, speak to our team today. Call us on 0333 9000 100 or email info@forthtech.co.uk.