Business owners and managers often try to reduce what is spent on computers and end up spending far more than necessary. There are three classes of business owners and managers:
- Do-It-Your-Self (DIY) The DIY actually listens to the marketing and sales hype from manufacturers telling us that computers are simple and we can do it our self with their product. HELLO!! They are in business to sell you their product and build their business. Here’s the truth: Computers are complex and the only way to keep your business computers running well and make sure your computers work reliably and securely is with support from an experienced and qualified business computer management company. You don’t install and manage your own phone system or troubleshoot the emission system on your car. Computers are just as complex or more so and need specialized care and management.
- The “Genius” on-call when we need him/her. Many organizations have a student or relative who helps out as needed. Do you wait for your car to break down on the freeway and then call a backyard mechanic to come help you? Why would you put your business at risk with the same model? Why would anyone risk their business and data to a high school or college student with little or no experience in business and computers?
- The Successful Organization. These are successful because they outsource their computer management to a knowledgeable firm not an individual with the resources to manage your computers in order to maintain all your focus on your core mission and business. No one can be an expert in computers, security, data backup, data restore, messaging, networking, etc. and the line of business you are there to pursue. There are only 24 hours in every day– It is up to you how you will spend them to move your business ahead. You can spend 4 hours getting your email back on line or invest that time in the success of your business plan. We can not get the time we spent back and there are no re-do opportunities at the end of the day.
How much is the right amount to spend? Studies show between 12% and 15% of gross revenues represents the computer budget of a successful organization. Want to save on this? You need a “Managed Service Provider” who will monitor, manage, maintain, and administer all your computers 24×7. In this way your outsource provides you with the expertise you need at a fixed and affordable price with a team of experts always available when you need them and the expertise shared across thousands of organizations thereby keeping the costs down.
Think of it this way, if you hired your own personal doctor, the cost would be unaffordable. By going to the doctor’s practice and being one of many patients, you have great medical care- – and affordable. Computer Managed Services Outsource is the same model. With computer management outsourced, you receive all the healthy business benefits, and you do not even need to go to the doctor’s office-the computer management services are delivered to you remotely and in person! If you are not outsourcing your computer managed service, your organization is not competitive or achieving the mission as well as it could.
