Debunking common myths surrounding Managed IT Services for schools

The concept of Managed IT services has been around for quite a while now. In fact, MSPs are very popular among all kinds of organizations, given that managed IT is a thriving multibillion-dollar industry. But despite all this, IT outsourcing is surrounded by misleading myths and misconceptions.

Understandably, managed IT is a complex solution, to begin with, and it can be difficult to understand. And with so many ideas floating out, there comes the spread of misinformation. We’re here to set the record straight when it comes to managed IT services for schools by clearing these common false notions:

Myth #1 – Managed services is too expensive

Contrary to this myth, managed IT services actually save you money. Research shows that the top reason most organizations choose to partner with MSPs is to cut costs.

The cost of working with an MSP is usually close to that of hiring one full-time employee. But with managed services, you don’t get just one employee; you get an entire team of experts. Plus, you don’t have to train an MSP during onboarding or pay for their benefits or upkeep. Most MSPs don’t even ask for any upfront payments. All you have to pay is a fixed monthly or annual fee. This service subscription model not only saves you money but also stabilizes your IT budget.

Managed services also cut costs in many indirect ways. For instance, working with an MSP saves valuable staff time that would otherwise be wasted solving IT issues.

Myth #2 – You lose control of your IT infrastructure

This is just not true; no IT provider will take over control of your IT infrastructure. While you may have to relinquish “some control” over certain IT operations, that will depend on your relationship with the MSP. And even then, you’ll still have overarching administration over your entire IT infrastructure.

Losing IT control isn’t a result of hiring an MSP; it signifies a lack of proper management and oversight in your outsourcing strategy. If you just throw IT management over the wall, you’ll definitely feel a lack of control over your own resources. An MSP basically takes the place of an internal IT team—hierarchy, roles, privileges, and all—and should be treated as such.

Myth #3 – All MSPs are the same

All MSPs are not the same. Some specialize in niche tech fields such as helpdesk support, cybersecurity, cloud management, networking, and data management. Others serve only particular industries. You’ll find MSPs that focus solely on commercial businesses, learning institutions, non-profits, or other professional domains. Indeed, the offerings from different MSPs may look similar, but every MSP has a unique way of doing business.

Choosing a suitable managed services provider for your institution requires careful planning and research to ensure they can deliver the expected results. Look in all the right places and ask the right questions.

Myth #4 – Only big organizations can use an MSP

Smaller organizations actually stand to benefit more from MSP partnerships than larger organizations. That’s because MSPs allow large organizations to access top-tier IT talent, management, and resources that would otherwise be prohibitively expensive. MSPs essentially level the IT management playfield, giving small institutions a fighting chance against large corporations in the digital arena.

Another good thing about managed IT services is that they can scale with the business as it grows. So, it doesn’t matter the size of your school or its IT footprint; there is a managed solution that’s right for you.

Myth #5 – MSPs might not be available to resolve issues in time

It’s a common belief that technical issues might take longer to solve since the MSP is not on site. Actually, most technical issues can be solved remotely. So, there is no need to have a team standing by on location. And with round-the-clock systems monitoring, IT problems are usually spotted and resolved before they’ve even become apparent. In reality, MSPs fix faults much faster, and their proactive approach to IT health drastically minimizes the chances of unexpected downtime.

Don’t let these baseless myths and misconceptions get in the way of a worthwhile MSP partnership. Contact us to learn more about what it would mean for your school to team up with the right managed services provider.