Some hats just don’t fit, and when it comes to IT, trying to do it all yourself can quickly lead to stress, lost time, and costly mistakes.
Outsourcing your IT services gives you access to professionals who can keep your systems secure, up-to-date, and monitored 24/7, solving issues before they cause disruption.
So, how do you actually embrace Managed IT Services? Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you make the shift smoothly.
1. Start with an Inventory
List every IT-related task in your business, from onboarding new starters and setting up email accounts, to troubleshooting, software updates, and buying new equipment.
You can then ask yourself:
• Who’s currently doing these tasks?
• Are they qualified?
• Is IT taking them away from their main job?
You will quickly see how much time and responsibility is being juggled by non-IT staff, and how outsourcing can free them up to focus on what they do best.
2. Understand the True Cost
Once you know who’s managing IT, estimate how much time it takes and multiply it by their hourly rate.
Then add the hidden costs:
• Downtime from outages or system crashes
• Repairs or recovery from security breaches
• Lost productivity when technology slows down
You’ll likely find that outsourcing IT is more cost-effective than managing it internally, especially when you factor in predictable monthly pricing.
SupportWise Tip: Managed IT Support isn’t an expense, it’s an investment that pays for itself through uptime, efficiency, and peace of mind.
3. Assess Your Risk
What would happen if your systems went down tomorrow? Think about the data you hold on staff, clients, and suppliers. How sensitive is it, and how safe is it? Are your systems up to date, and do you have backups in place?
Managed IT Services include 24/7 monitoring and disaster recovery planning, so if the worst happens, your business can bounce back quickly with minimal disruption.
4. Plan for Growth
Most businesses want to grow, but could your current systems handle it?
Managed IT ensures your technology scales with you. You’ll know when your hardware is nearing end of life, when licenses need updating, and how to plan for new staff or offices without downtime.
SupportWise Insight: The right IT partner grows with your business, helping you plan ahead, not play catch-up.
5. Measure Productivity
Slow systems, hardware failures, and onboarding delays all chip away at productivity.
If your new hires are waiting days for access, or staff spend hours troubleshooting slow software, that’s time (and money) lost.
With Managed IT Support, onboarding is seamless, hardware is maintained, and issues are fixed before they interrupt your day.
The Real Benefits of Managed IT Services
When you engage with a Managed IT provider like SupportWise, you gain a complete IT department, without the overhead.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
• 24/7 system monitoring to prevent downtime
• Regular updates to hardware, software, and security
• Alerts when equipment reaches end-of-life
• Fast issue resolution via helpdesk or on-site support
• Secure data backups and disaster recovery plans
• Cost-effective hardware procurement
• Predictable monthly pricing that scales with your needs
All the benefits of a full IT team, at a fraction of the cost.
Ready to Embrace Managed IT Support?
If you’re ready to take off a few of those hats and hand IT over to the experts, we’re here to help. We provide Managed IT Services across Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, helping small and medium-sized businesses stay secure, efficient, and confident.
Book a no-obligation chat or call 0330 113 7749 to find out how we can tailor a package to suit your business.
FAQs: Making the Move to Managed IT Services
Q1. How do I know if my business needs Managed IT Services?
If IT tasks are eating into your day or you’re relying on ad-hoc fixes when things go wrong, it’s time to switch. Managed IT keeps everything running smoothly, preventing issues before they cost you time or money.
Q2. Will outsourcing mean I lose control of my systems?
Not at all. You stay in control, outsourcing just means you gain a professional team to manage, monitor, and maintain your systems more efficiently and securely.
Q3. Is Managed IT Support affordable for small businesses?
Yes. Most small businesses find that Managed IT Support actually saves money by reducing downtime, preventing costly repairs, and offering predictable monthly costs instead of surprise bills.
Q4. How quickly can Managed IT be set up?
Setup depends on your current systems, but many businesses are fully onboarded within a few weeks. We handle the transition carefully to avoid disruption to your operations.
Q5. What makes SupportWise different?
We’re local, proactive, and people-first. Our team supports businesses across Swindon, Cirencester, Chippenham, and Wootton Bassett, combining friendly on-site service with 24/7 monitoring and robust cybersecurity.
We specialise in working with small and medium-sized businesses across Swindon, Cirencester, Chippenham, and Wootton Bassett, delivering responsive local support and proactive solutions.
Book a no-obligation chat or call 0330 113 7749 to find out how we can make IT one less thing you have to worry about.