Benefits of a Third Party IT Assessment

The money spent on upgrading, repairing and optimizing IT systems is staggering. Businesses invest millions every year to keep their technology up-to-date with modern standards. To be successful, businesses need an IT system that supports their needs in a way that is effective and cost-effective. Furthermore, it can be challenging to know where your money goes and what resources will provide you with the best results without a proper assessment. An organization’s professionals should perform the IT assessment process to get a clear objective and 360° view of current operations.

• Written Evaluation and Analysis

IT assessment is an extensive analysis and review of all technologies in use, the computing environment – from hardware to software. A critical part includes how these pieces work together and their role within your organization’s goals.

The IT assessment of digital IT services in Sugarland should be thorough, with several distinct areas, including network security and performance, software audits, licensing and other security procedures. Serious problems could be lurking in your assessment, but a third-party reviewer will also help you identify areas for improvement. Your internal team is already busy, so outsourcing this is good. An independent IT company will assess while you keep up with routine operations, and they can take care of everything else. The third-party can help to eliminate potential complications from existing IT team dynamics, which may impact the rigor of an internally conducted assessment.

•  Objectively Assess Systems & Processes

When in-house staff members perform IT assessments, they may not recognize their technical blindspots. Hiring an outside assessment team from aHouston IT support company can help businesses overcome this problem. The operating systems evaluated by this team won’t have any preconceived biases either way. They will determine their efficacy and necessity for the task at hand. The outsourced providers have a deep bench of experience across operating systems, technical stacks and compliance frameworks that they can offer to the businesses.

• Avoid Overt Bias 

Even though your in-house IT Team has identified numerous areas for improvement, they may be hesitant to share the findings and make executive recommendations. Even if the IT team conducted a highly detailed assessment, they might not enjoy giving their manager or company owner terrible news.

Sometimes the best news a manager can hear is terrible because it might prevent long-term problems from developing. The outsourced IT assessment team will not hesitate to highlight any serious concerns, as their job is to report these findings.

• Remain Compliant

Today’s compliance requirements are unlike those we’ve seen in the past – they’re far-reaching and ever-changing. Outside IT assessors have a unique insight into the constantly changing world of data protection. They can identify risks more efficiently than in-house staff because they work with many different frameworks at varying levels on their compliance scale, making it easier for them to know when something needs fixing or adjusting accordingly. When you outsource your IT assessment, it’s essential to ensure that the company has experience in compliance. They know what laws are applicable and how penalties can be severe for non-compliance with these regulations – which means it is vital to have expert assessors on your team. It helps organizations achieve full compliance in the most efficient way possible.

• Looking to the Future

IT assessments give businesses a competitive edge by tapping into the deep knowledge of what’s new and developing in the field.

Receiving expert advice about new solutions is an excellent way for businesses to avoid expensive mistakes. The rapid evolution of technology means that entire systems become outdated in a short amount of time, which hurts your business if you’re not aware. In addition to keeping your business informed about the progress of critical technologies, an outside IT company can also offer guidance and advice as part of a comprehensive assessment.

Is your business in need of an IT assessment? We can help! Contact us at ITsGuru or schedule your consultation today.

5 Ways Managed IT Services Help Nonprofit Organizations (NPOs)

Nonprofit organizations are known for their important missions. These groups of people dedicate themselves to making our world a better place, and they do so in many different ways! 

The ability of nonprofit organizations to succeed is based not only on their seemingly bottomless determination and selflessness but also on making the best use of available digital technology. The majority of nonprofit organizations are not using technology in a way that benefits them the most. Only 11% view their digital approach as highly effective, according to NetCharge’s long-running survey on this topic. That is why most NPOs are generating less revenue and achieving limited success. They rely on outdated processes and waste their financial resources by supporting legacy infrastructure that doesn’t serve users’ needs well enough or provide them with any value in return. While they also spend time trying to solve technical problems when none can be solved effectively from within these organizations themselves. 

The answer? Partnering with an MSP that understands the unique technological needs of NPOs and has plenty of experience in overcoming typical constraints in all organizations. The right Managed IT services firm then helps in the following ways.

1. Hassle-Free Access to New Technologies

The information technology (IT) industry has been evolving faster than most nonprofit organizations can keep up. For the last several years, we’ve witnessed an explosion in cloud computing. The cloud is a revolution in IT. It has allowed businesses to scale their infrastructures quickly and enjoy increased security and efficiency at lower costs than ever before, with no risk of data loss or disruption due to the advancement of technology. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are presumed to be the following vast drivers of competitive advantage, with artificial neurons being able to help us enhance our productivity in many ways.

MSPs are committed to making new technologies more accessible for their customers, and they do so by leveraging economies of scale. It allows them to offer affordable prices that even cash-strapped nonprofits afford with best-in-class digital solutions!

IT is a complex and quickly evolving field. MSPs provide organizations with assistance from initial planning through implementing their selected solution, eliminating any need for an in-house IT department while still offering tailored support that can be scaled based on your needs– all this at minimal costs!

2. Predictable IT Budgeting

Finances are tight, so every IT expense must be justified well and planned even better. It’s unfortunate when an IT employee resigns from their position. It is a significant setback for any organization, especially one struggling to find qualified staff members in this tight market environment. They say that peace of mind is worth more than any other gift and outsource your IT needs to an MSP for just this reason. You’ll never worry about budget cuts again! 

MSPs offer a variety of pricing options that reflect each customer’s size and complexity level. It allows them to accurately predict how much an IT project will cost while reducing all other expenses into one fixed fee. When NPOs know precisely how much money they need to allocate toward IT each month, the other essential business functions are better supported.

3. Robust Data Security and Compliance

It’s not just the money that NPOs spend on building relationships with their donors, but even one data breach incident is enough to harm them irreparably. It’s a sad situation when donors discover that their personal information has been exposed in breaches. They often feel betrayed and mentally impacted by the attack, making them susceptible to legal consequences for soon donating again. 

The cybersecurity landscape is so vast and complex that even small NPOs with a limited online presence need to see it as a necessary investment. Cybersecurity-savvy MSPs can perform initial vulnerability assessments that discover all weaknesses before suggesting implementing a set of controls and policies for eliminating threats. 

4. Ongoing Business Continuity Management

The smaller organizations sometimes believe that the mere existence of backups provides sufficient protection against all kinds of data loss disasters. In reality, backups are helpful if updated recently and tested to ensure their recoverability. They should also be stored in multiple safe locations across the world. 

The most comprehensive business continuity management program meets all three requirements to ensure your organization’s stability in case of disaster. What’s the worst thing about these types of plans? They typically realize how inadequate their backup is only when it’s too late.

NPOs shouldn’t spread themselves thin in a data loss incident by implementing their business continuity management program from scratch. They should leave this critically important task up to experts at what they do. 

When you work with an MSP with a wealth of experience in backup and disaster recovery, they can help avoid common implementation mistakes to guarantee that your data is always recoverable under the worst conditions imaginable. 

5. Workplace Flexibility and Scalability

The needs and means of NPOs also change rapidly. We live in challenging times, but this gives us more reason to persevere! The volunteers are collecting donations from members of their communities. The next day, they must shelter in place and work only from home as a safety measure for themselves or others around them during an emergency. 

The unpredictable nature of uncertainty in the current climate means that NPOs must be flexible and scalable, which isn’t possible when they rely on static IT resources or staff.

MSPs know that their customers’ needs will change, and as such, they offer a variety of services to meet those fluctuations best.

MSPs make workplace flexibility and scalability a reality with their vast services. It includes everything from flexible pricing to cloud migration support, making it easy for businesses who desire greater control over how they operate in the modern office environment while still meeting business needs throughout various stages. 

Managed IT Services for Nonprofits from ITsGuru

At ITsGuru, we strive to work with nonprofit organizations so that they can use available technology solutions and better accomplish their essential missions.

We have a team of experts devoted to providing comprehensive IT services. Our wide range includes everything from managing your networks and servers to cybersecurity solutions – even end-user support! We take care of all aspects to eliminate unexpected expenses to provide this service at an affordable price every month without interruption or delays. 

Contact us today to learn more about how our managed IT services can help your nonprofit organization thrive.

IT Services vs. IT Consulting

When it comes to IT, there is a lot of confusion about the difference between services and consulting. Many people assume that they are one and the same, but this is not the case. In fact, if you don’t understand the difference, you could end up making some costly mistakes. We’ll look at the main differences between them. it services and consultancy in this blog post so you can make informed decisions about your company’s IT health.

What Are IT Services?

There are a number of technical definitions for “IT services.” However, from the client’s viewpoint, there is an easy approach to understanding this phrase. You spend money on IT services to assist you complete tasks and goals. When it comes to IT service provider, most business owners hire a professional services company with expertise in the industry. These are generally things like:

• Technical Assistance and Customer Service for Businesses
• Providers of backup and recovery services
• Managed Services for IT Management Software
• Cybersecurity Monitoring & Threat Response
• Cloud Migration & Maintenance
• Telecommunications Services Based on the Internet

The basic idea of IT services is that a third party is usually under contract to assist you in increasing productivity and resolving routine difficulties. Technology isn’t usually a priority for businesses. It’s a vital tool that requires specialist attention.

What Makes IT Consulting Different?

The million-dollar question is why pay for IT consulting services companies if you already have IT services? That’s a fair question from the customer’s standpoint. You have a responsive website, with the majority of your customers being able to access it. Your email function works, computer restarts are rare, and cloud-based systems allow you to connect with remote workers and business partners in real-time. If it’s not broken, why try to fix it?

The most significant advantage of IT consulting is that it is proactive by definition. A consultant analyzes your crucial operations and makes a recommendation for the next steps and long-term technology planning, which is inherently beneficial. A change agent may be only moderately interested in the technology and services your company employs to complete activities and achieve objectives today. Instead, they consider future solutions that provide the following advantages:

• Bring an Outgoing Attitude: Your organization’s it service support provider and staff members have a way of getting things done every day. While their techniques may function well at a high level, bringing an outside viewpoint can help businesses take advantage of cutting-edge technologies.
• It’s crucial to grasp the difference between proactive and reactive IT services. They can respond quickly to technological difficulties and resolve them. IT consulting, on the other hand, focuses on future disruptions and improvements and advises company CEOs about preventative measures.
• Improve Focus as a Leader: When management teams are preoccupied with technical difficulties, they can’t give their full attention to the company’s potential. Leaders may make high-level decisions about the state of their technology thanks to the experience of an IT consulting firm.

Perhaps the most straightforward distinction between IT services and consulting is that they are two cogs in a machine that drives your operation. Without the other, you might not reach your objectives and compete. Technology changes at a rapid pace, and businesses rely on IT solutions to maintain operational efficiency while also requiring consulting experts to help you prepare for crucial next phases.