Being a business owner, you must have come to grips with the importance of reliable and efficient information technology (IT) systems at some time. The thing is that managing these systems can be considerably challenging.
It’s a good thing you can outsource certain IT functions to save you the hassle. That’s where managed IT services providers (MSPs) come in.
How much will working with them cost your business, though? The answer can vary. The cost of an IT services provider depends on a range of factors. However, IT experts estimate that outsourcing to MSP’s can save up to 50% of IT costs compared to using an in-house IT team.
Average Cost Of Support Services By IT Providers
On average, managed IT services can cost you up to USD$1,000 per month. But most service providers can base price quotes on your specific needs.
In some places, you can expect to pay between USD$75 – USD$300 per user every month. Monitoring sessions can range from USD$100.00 – USD$500.00 depending on the services included. Some providers also charge USD$75.00 – USD400.00 per server and USD$25 – USD100 per workstation.
The final cost you settle on with your MSP can depend on other factors like location. Your business may also use tech that requires specialized support and maintenance, or you want a customized package to meet your IT needs. That will naturally net you more in terms of investment.
Pricing Factors That Affect Managed IT Services Costs
- Scope Of Services
The scope of services you choose can significantly affect your IT support costs. You may lower them if you choose a basic package that only covers support and maintenance services. However, you may also want a comprehensive package that includes cybersecurity and cloud data backup services. In that case, your MSP’s charges will be significantly higher.
Carefully considering your IT needs before choosing a package from companies such as Technijian, for example, is crucial here. Doing so ensures you stay within your budget while still getting the amount of support you need.
- Payment Structure
MSPs use various payment structures when quoting their prices. Each one sets the overall costs you incur differently.
One provider can charge a flat fee for its services regardless of the number of users and devices in your business. Such a payment structure can be beneficial and cheaper if you have a consistent and predictable IT workload. It also allows you to budget for your IT needs well in advance.
However, you may realize later that it doesn’t cover all aspects of your IT needs. For instance, it may not cover hardware setup or on-site support.
On the other hand, another MSP can charge you according to the number of devices or users you have. Hence, you may see a higher cost if you have a larger pool of users or devices. You can use this payment structure if you have a small team requiring IT services support and maintenance. It also works best if your device and user numbers fluctuate seasonally.
An MSP can also follow a customized payment structure, often packaged as a pay-as-you-go or subscription-based pricing. If you have unpredictable IT needs, this may be the way to go. The reason is that it allows you to pay for IT services on an as-needed basis.
- Expertise And Experience Of Its Team
If you select an IT service provider with a highly skilled and experienced team, you can usually expect to pay a higher rate. However, you can also expect a high quality of service and support. On the other hand, an MSP’s team with comparably less expertise may not cost you as much. Therefore, the price from such a provider can be less.
Selecting a provider with a highly skilled team may be expensive but beneficial in the long run. They’re more reliable when it comes to handling complex IT issues, and therefore, worth the investment.
Furthermore, they can provide more comprehensive support and maintenance services, such as proactive network monitoring. With such services, your business can experience less downtime and minimal disruptions, ultimately saving you time and money. To ensure this level of reliability, consider exploring options like reliable IT Support by TechIT, which can help keep your IT systems running smoothly.
- Technologies In Use
The technology your business uses can also be a crucial factor in how an IT services provider charges you. Newer advanced technologies may require more specialized maintenance and support. This usually results in a higher price quote from the MSPs.
However, the provider may charge you lower costs if your business’s tech is widely available. In this light, learning your own system’s specs first may help you know how much IT support you require and how much you might have to spend.
- Level Of Customization
Most MSPs have standard packages with predetermined services and support parameters. Those are often less expensive. However, it may not meet your specific IT needs. As a result, you can request a customized package that can work for your business.
Customizing your package will cost you more. But it can help address IT needs unique to your business., thus providing more value in the long run.
Weigh Your Investment
Even though the initial costs may seem high, managed IT services can be more cost-effective. Besides, using MSPs lets your business tap into perks like access to the latest technology, expertise, and cybersecurity measures. The pricing guidelines above can help you see how MSPs base their pricing. Use it to find the ideal scheme for business’s systems today.
Veeramachineni Lalitha
I am Finance Content Writer. I write Personal Finance, banking, investment, and insurance related content for top clients including Kotak Mahindra Bank, Edelweiss, ICICI BANK and IDFC FIRST Bank. My experience details : Linkedin