MSPs Are Key to Unlocking IT Network Agility for Business

Agile has become a buzzword in business circles for some time now and for good reason. Agile organizations outperform their peers by as much as 50% and post financial gains 20% to 30% better than the market, according to McKinsey. Companies that are agile and flexible also have more engaged employees and more satisfied customers.

While agility throughout an organization is the goal, companies are often held back by legacy systems and processes. To remain competitive, companies must build agile networks that provide secure access to applications and services, enable remote connectivity, and adapt to evolving business demands.

Partnering with a managed service provider (MSP) can accelerate your digital transformation and make network agility a reality.

What is network agility?

Network agility enables businesses to adapt to changing conditions and opportunities rapidly with real-time data. Agile networks allow for fast provisioning, modification, and optimizations of the network infrastructure, letting companies quickly scale and support employees with the tools they need regardless of where they are working.

Achieving network agility typically requires modernizing legacy hardware, automating network management, and streamlining IT processes. Working with an MSP can make the process simple and, in most cases, avoid hefty capital expenditures.

Overcoming the challenges of network agility

Infrastructure grows and develops over time. This can make networks extremely complex and inefficient. New equipment, products, services, and solutions get added that may or may not work efficiently. We often find duplicate services, unused licenses, less-than-optimal throughput and significant security gaps. Not only does this make your infrastructure more challenging to manage, but it’s also more expensive. And, it hurts your ability to be agile.

56% of some 2,500 IT decision-makers surveyed by Cisco said security was their top networking challenge followed by 53% that cited the complexity of network management. In today’s hybrid and multi-cloud environment with more remote workers than in the past, it’s become even more challenging.

An IT managed services provider can help businesses build and maintain network agility, including the use of automation and the implementation of agile processes to optimize performance.

How an MSP can make your network more agile

An IT managed services provider can help you build and maintain network agility, including the use of automation and the implementation of agile processes. When you partner with an experienced MSP, you get expertise in designing and managing complex networks.

Key benefits of working with an MSP

When you work with an MSP, you get an objective assessment of your infrastructure to provide the flexibility you need for agile operations. Whether you need to fully outsource your network management or are looking to augment your current staff, you get several key benefits from a managed service provider, including:

· Highly-skilled specialists in key network areas

· Optimal network infrastructure, aligned with your business objectives

· Lower technology costs through economies of scale

· Knowledge of emerging technology and visibility of future trends

Optimizing your network environment for agile operations

When you work with an MSP, you get expert guidance to optimize your network environment. MSPs will analyze your current network and provide a roadmap for improvements in a phased approach.

The first phase typically involves analyzing the current network infrastructure and process to identify gaps in agility and security. With information in hand, an MSP can create a roadmap for modernization, including prioritization of key areas.

Leveraging best-fit cloud, third-party solutions, and specialized expertise enables the MSP to build a secure, cost-efficient agile network. Then, an MSP can provide the ongoing management and monitoring you need to optimize operations.

Depending on your specific needs, you can leverage different types of services from your MSP.

Managed IT services

Managed IT services include:

· Network monitoring: Continuously tracking network performance to identify issues and threats, ensuring optimal performance.

· Network documentation: Creating a detailed map of network components and configurations.

· IT asset management: Maintaining an inventory of hardware and software assets. Advising on procurement, deployment, upgrades, and retirement based on business needs.

· Service desk: Supporting day-to-day needs like onboarding, OS management, and basic troubleshooting.

· Virtual CIO: Providing strategic technology guidance and expertise akin to a Chief Information Officer without the cost.

Managed cloud services

Managed cloud services include: moving your network into the cloud and managing your resources. For example, this might include adopting Microsoft Azure for reliable and agile cloud networking and leveraging Microsoft 365 for collaboration and productivity.

One of the benefits of working with the best MSPs is that you eliminate re-sellers. So, if an issue occurs, the MSP can get help straight from the cloud provider without having to deal with someone in the middle. This leads to faster resolution.

The best MSPs will also be highly competent in cloud platforms and cloud productivity. For example, working with a Microsoft Gold Partner ensures consistent performance.

Managed security services

The right cybersecurity solution for your network requires multiple layers of defense to keep your network safe. An MSP will work with you to find the optimal solutions, including managed security services, such as:

· Network firewall: Analyzes network traffic and blocks threats based on security policies to prevent unauthorized access.

· Next-generation antivirus: Uses machine learning to identify emerging malware based on behavioral analysis.

· Web content filtering: Blocks access to inappropriate, dangerous, or productivity-draining websites.

· Vulnerability management: Proactively scans networks and systems to discover and resolve security weaknesses before they can be exploited.

· Email security: Protects against phishing, impersonation, malware, and other email-borne threats before they reach the inbox.

· Software patching: Keeps operating systems, applications, and firmware up-to-date with the latest security patches.

· Data backup: Performs regular backups and stores data offsite to enable restores and disaster recovery.

· End-user security training: Educates employees on cybersecurity best practices to avoid risky behaviors like clicking suspicious links.

Agile IT network solutions

An IT managed services provider can help businesses build and maintain network agility, including the use of automation and the implementation of agile processes. This streamlines network management with mobility for remote workers, providing flexible and secure access to the data and services you need in today’s highly-competitive environment.

Sagiss can help. We provide managed IT, managed security, and managed cloud services designed to optimize your infrastructure and create agile, flexible solutions to your most challenging business problems. Contact Sagiss today to discuss your IT infrastructure needs.