Growth in affordable technology seemed to come with a promise that wireless connectivity and innovation would level the playing field between start-up organizations and mammoth corporations. For many years, agile small businesses that maximized managed IT services were able to carve out market share even in the shadow of multinational operations. Few would argue against the premise that entrepreneurs, CEOs, and business leaders who deftly utilized technology gained an edge they would otherwise not.
“CTECH configured a start-up business with four employees with personal laptops and tablets. The business was completely set up by working in a local public library within four hours. All staff had a secured multi-factor login on their home device. All files were synced in real-time with the ability to collaborated in real-time with anyone they wanted,” Carl Fransen of CTECH Consulting Group reportedly said. “Text, voice, and video conferencing software allowed all of them to stay in touch regardless of where ‘in the world’ they were at that time. The system will automatically adjust in size based on their staffing requirements.”
That being said, the recent pandemic disruption may have created a culture shift that has invigorated small and mid-sized organizations to purge unnecessary capital expenditures and potentially expand. Other experts in the managed IT sector agree that businesses of all sizes rely on technology to adapt, overcome, and succeed.
How Did Organizations Succeed During Pandemic?
During the height of the pandemic, the Cloud played a central role in negotiating stay at home mandates. Companies were forced to adopt remote workforce platforms and invest in wireless infrastructure. Techsperts, a leading managed IT firm, helped shepherd New York and New Jersey businesses through the coronavirus peak and into the phased economic recovery. The outfit’s leader, Joe Cannata, remains a strong advocate for Cloud-based reliability.
“The implementation of Cloud technologies has proven to be one of the best investments companies have made prior to or during the Covid-19 pandemic. The cloud provided companies with the ability to send their employees home while maintaining connectivity as well as productivity,” Joe Cannata of Techsperts reportedly said. “Cloud technologies are what has allowed many businesses today to remain viable and intact during this pandemic. I also think the economy as a whole would look much different without the benefits and flexibility the cloud has provided.”
Other managed IT experts agree with the Techsperts owner. Cloud-based systems provide a jumping-off point for organizations to engage in real-time communication. The ability to conduct remote meetings or negotiate with clients virtually tends to provide a key advantage to nimble businesses.
“Better communication helps to grow business. Cloud technologies allow for anywhere communication breaking down the barriers of brick-and-mortar,” Tom Martinez, CEO of tca Synertech, reportedly said. “Cloud technologies allow for greater adoption of mobile devices for anywhere computing allowing greater adoption for a remote workforce. Cloud computing also allows the elasticity and agility needed to ramp up quickly to demand.”
Martinez’s assertions are supported by recent research conducted by Gartner. An April survey indicated that upwards of 74 percent of CFOs planned to maintain remote workforces. Many seriously considered reducing physical office space and purging expensive leases. As both managed IT thought leaders point out, Cloud technologies helped bridge the height of the pandemic and are now delivering recovery benefits.
Managed IT Firms Deliver Strategic Planning
Organizations in every sector have increasingly grown reliant on the enhanced benefits of a Cloud-based system. But decision-makers must recognize that technological innovation does not happen in a vacuum. Companies that have derived profit-driving benefits and minimized pandemic disruption largely relied on expert advice and planning. Third-party IT firms remain on the cutting edge of innovation and cybersecurity. Ian Hansen, director of IT operations at Philantech3, views strategic planning as a two-way street. His outfit delivers forward-thinking services that have also enhanced the Philantech3 reputation.
“Consulting is what can differentiate between your MSP and any other. If you go out of your way to show clients that you’re there for them — not only when there are problems, but for strategic business and technology planning — then you’ve got a true competitive edge in the market. And, you can achieve trusted advisor status,” Hansen reportedly said.
Mike Shelah of Advantage Industries also recognizes that managed IT firms are co-equal partners in the business community. Advantage Industries helped clients bridge the recent economic uncertainty and leveraged many of the same technologies to augment its own growth.
“We are using Microsoft Teams and ZOOM to collaborate with our internal teams, with our clients, prospective clients, and business partners. I spend most of my time engaging people in these categories and the results have been tremendous,” Shelah reportedly said. “Like anything else, none of this technology is ‘new.’ What matters is the daily intentional use of this technology for the purpose of finding new business. Despite this entire quarter happening during a pandemic, we have strong financials, revenue, and customer growth, some of our best in years.”
The pandemic and economic impact have yet to be fully understood. But managed IT infrastructure investment positioned organizations to minimize disruption and adapt. Going forward, live-work realities are likely to change significantly and technology will play a leading role. Industry leaders have an opportunity to plan for success now by enlisting managed IT experts now.
