8 Common Managed IT Services Problems & How to Solve Them

Managed IT services allow businesses to optimize operations and leverage advanced technologies without the burden of in-house management. By outsourcing IT support to expert service providers, organizations can focus on their core competencies and strategic goals while gaining access to skilled IT professionals and predictable cost structures.

The global market for managed IT services is projected to reach $671.14 billion by 2030. With over 85% of organizations expected to adopt a cloud-first approach by 2025, the importance of managed cloud and IT services in achieving successful digital strategies becomes evident. Implementing managed services can also reduce IT costs by 25-45% and improve operational efficiency by 45-65%. 

Explore the common problems businesses face and discover effective strategies to solve them, ensuring seamless utilization of managed IT services in the competitive landscape.

Common Problems with Managed IT Services

As businesses increasingly rely on managed IT services to streamline their operations, they may encounter various challenges that could impact their efficiency and productivity. These challenges may include:

Unresponsive Support

Unresponsive support from managed IT services providers can be a major hindrance for businesses, causing disruptions to their operations. Organizations rely on prompt resolution to minimize downtime and maintain productivity when technical issues arise. However, slow response times and delayed issue resolution can cause prolonged downtime, leading to financial losses and frustrated customers. 

Causes of unresponsiveness may include inadequate staffing by the managed service provider, inefficient communication channels, or a lack of clear escalation procedures. These challenges can strain the relationship between the organization and the IT service provider, affecting the overall effectiveness of the partnership.

Lack of Proactive IT Support

The absence of proactive IT support can leave businesses vulnerable to recurring technical issues. Proactive support involves regularly monitoring and maintaining IT infrastructure to identify and address potential problems before they escalate. It not only prevents disruptions but also improves system performance and security. 

However, implementing proactive IT support requires investment in advanced monitoring tools, skilled personnel, and a strong commitment to continuous improvement. 

Many managed IT service providers struggle to balance reactive and proactive support, leading to missed opportunities for optimizing the organization’s IT operations.

Inadequate Service Level Agreements (SLAs)

Service Level Agreements (SLAs) form the foundation of managed IT services, defining the scope of services, expected response times, and other performance metrics. Poorly defined SLAs can lead to misunderstandings and dissatisfaction, negatively impacting service quality. 

Common issues with inadequate SLAs include vague language, lack of specificity regarding issue resolution times, and insufficient penalty clauses for failure to meet targets. These inadequate SLAs can result in misaligned expectations between the organization and the service provider, causing inefficiencies and potential conflicts.

Insufficient Network Security

Strong network security is essential for safeguarding sensitive data and protecting organizations from cyber threats. Insufficient network security measures expose businesses to various risks, such as data breaches, ransomware attacks, and unauthorized access. 

Weaknesses in network configurations, outdated security protocols, and inadequate employee training can all contribute to network vulnerabilities. The consequences of a security breach can be severe, including damage to the organization’s reputation, financial losses, and legal liabilities.

Overdependence on Specific Technologies or Vendors

Relying too heavily on specific technologies or vendors can limit an organization’s flexibility. Being tied to a single vendor or solution may prevent businesses from adopting more suitable and cost-effective alternatives. 

Overdependence on specific technologies can hinder innovation and limit opportunities to explore emerging trends that could provide a competitive advantage. If a vendor experiences financial difficulties or discontinues support for a product, organizations reliant on that vendor may face increased disruptions and costly migrations.

High Service Costs

Managed IT services are expected to offer cost-effective solutions, but unforeseen expenses or complex pricing structures can lead to unexpectedly high service costs. Budget overruns can strain financial planning, affecting the organization’s ability to allocate resources strategically. 

Challenges in managing service costs may arise from a lack of transparency in billing, underestimating the scope of required services, or inefficient resource allocation. High service costs can impact the overall profitability of the business and may force organizations to reevaluate their managed IT services agreements.

Lack of Scalability

As businesses grow and evolve, their IT needs change. However, some managed IT services may struggle to keep up with the organization’s scalability requirements. A lack of scalability can lead to underutilized resources during periods of low demand or insufficient capacity during peak times. 

This problem may arise because of the service provider’s infrastructure limitations, lack of flexibility in service packages, or inadequate planning for future expansion. Without the ability to scale services seamlessly, businesses may face challenges adapting to changing market conditions and efficiently allocating IT resources.

Communication Gaps

Effective communication is the cornerstone of a successful partnership between an organization and its managed IT services provider. Communication gaps can arise from poor information sharing, misaligned expectations, or a lack of regular updates on service performance. 

These gaps can lead to misunderstandings and delays in issue resolution and service delivery. A communication breakdown can erode trust and hinder the organization’s decision-making about its IT infrastructure. 

A strong communication framework ensures that both parties remain well-informed, address concerns promptly, and work collaboratively to achieve business objectives.

Solving Common Managed IT Services Problems

Adopting proactive measures is crucial for optimizing IT operations. National Technology Management (NTM) stands ready to tailor solutions for each challenge including: 

Improving Responsiveness of IT Support

Organizations should focus on regular communication and updates to improve the responsiveness of their IT support. Timely updates on ongoing issues, progress, and resolution are essential in keeping stakeholders informed and assured that concerns are being addressed promptly. 

At NTM, we understand the importance of responsive IT support in maintaining smooth business operations. Our proactive 24×7 communication approach includes regular updates and status reports, ensuring that our clients are always aware of the status of their IT issues.

Enhancing Proactive IT Support

Organizations should emphasize regular maintenance and monitoring of their IT infrastructure to bolster proactive IT support. Regular maintenance helps identify and address potential issues before they escalate, reducing downtime and improving system performance. 

Regular strategic IT planning allows businesses to align their technology roadmap with their overall business objectives, ensuring their IT infrastructure remains optimized and agile.

NTM takes a proactive approach to IT support, conducting regular maintenance and monitoring to identify and resolve potential issues early. Our team of skilled professionals employs industry-leading tools and techniques to ensure the stability and reliability of our client’s IT systems.

Bettering Service Level Agreements

Organizations must create clear and detailed Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that outline the expected response times and performance metrics. Regularly reviewing and updating SLAs ensures they remain relevant and aligned with the organization’s evolving IT needs.

NTM prioritizes the creation of well-defined SLAs that cater to each client’s unique requirements. Our SLAs are crafted to ensure clear expectations, strong service commitments, and measurable performance metrics. We also believe in ongoing collaboration with our clients to accommodate any changes in their IT needs and deliver services that exceed expectations.

Strengthening Network Security

To improve network security, organizations should conduct regular security audits to identify vulnerabilities and proactively address them. Constant staff training and awareness programs ensure employees are well-informed about potential security threats and how to mitigate them effectively.

At NTM, we take network security seriously, and our expert team conducts regular security audits to assess potential risks and strengthen clients’ IT infrastructure against cyber threats. We believe in educating our clients’ employees about best security practices through training and awareness programs, ensuring a proactive approach to network security.

Reducing Overdependence on Specific Technologies or Vendors

Organizations should prioritize diversifying their IT infrastructure and explore alternative solutions to reduce overdependence on specific technologies or vendors. Keeping up with technology trends enables businesses to evaluate emerging technologies that align better with their evolving needs.

NTM supports clients in diversifying their IT infrastructure and reducing overdependence on specific technologies or vendors. Our team of experts helps businesses explore cutting-edge technologies and identify solutions that offer better overall flexibility.

Lowering Service Costs

To address high service costs, organizations should regularly review contracts and packages to identify areas where cost optimizations can be made. Streamlining IT services by consolidating tasks and processes can also reduce costs.

At NTM, we regularly review their contracts and service packages with our clients. Our goal is to ensure that our services are cost-effective and tailored to meet each client’s needs. Through our streamlined IT services approach, we identify areas of optimization and cost efficiency, allowing our clients to make the most of their IT investments.

Overcoming Scalability Challenges

Organizations should evaluate the service provider’s infrastructure to ensure it can accommodate changing business needs and overcome any scalability challenges. Flexible service packages that align with the organization’s growth trajectory are crucial in adapting to fluctuations in IT requirements.

NTM is equipped to address scalability challenges by providing flexible service packages and scalable solutions. We continuously invest in our infrastructure to ensure it can meet the evolving demands of our clients. With our adaptable services, businesses can easily scale their IT resources and support to match their growth and expansion.

Closing Communication Gaps

Organizations should prioritize regular meetings and updates with their managed IT services provider to close communication gaps between parties. Assigning dedicated account management ensures a single point of contact for effective communication and issue resolution.

At NTM, we emphasize open and transparent communication with our clients. Regular meetings and updates are integral to our communication framework, allowing us to address concerns promptly and foster a collaborative partnership.

 

Achieve Greater Efficiency With National Technology Management

Choosing managed IT services is undoubtedly the smartest investment for businesses seeking to stay ahead. Managed IT services offer a competitive edge in the evolving business landscape, from ensuring data security to providing cost predictability and strategic technology alignment.

As your trusted MSP partner, NTM empowers your business for sustained growth and success. Choose NTM as your strategic ally to optimize your IT infrastructure and drive your organization toward new heights. 

Contact us today for a free consultation and harness the transformative power of managed IT services for your business’s future prosperity.