Running a large office means working with large network systems, lots of computers, and lots of users. That means that you need reliable tech support to keep things running smoothly. But what’s the best way to maintain your networks? Should you hire a freelance IT person for occasional fixes, or is it better to contract with a managed IT service for ongoing support?
You’ve probably already guessed that we would recommend managed IT services, but it’s not just because we’re biased. When it comes to saving time and money, there’s really no comparison. At Acuity Total Solutions, we specialize in managed IT solutions that make life easier for large networks. Let’s discuss why managed IT is the smarter choice for larger offices.
What is Freelance IT Help?
When we say “Freelance IT,” what we’re referring to is hiring an independent tech expert to fix a specific problem – i.e. a frozen computer, a slow network, or a cybersecurity concern. Freelancers can be great for small jobs or businesses that don’t often need IT help. For example, a small shop might call a freelancer to set up a new computer or a cash register once or twice a year.
For larger offices, freelancers have some big downsides:
They can be Unreliable: Freelancers have tons of other clients, and they’re usually not available when you need them the most.
Not Built for Big Systems: If you have multiple locations or hundreds of devices and employees, one freelancer can’t handle everything. They can also have trouble keeping track of past and recurring issues.
Reactive Fixes: You’re usually calling Freelancers after there’s a problem, which can mean expensive downtime.
For large offices, waiting on freelancers can lead to delays and stress. If a big company with 50+ employees is waiting for a freelancer to fix a network crash, you’re going to be losing a significant amount of time and money.
Why Managed IT Services Shine for Larger Offices
Managed IT services means having a full-time IT team on your side, but without the hassle of recruiting, interviewing, and hiring them yourself. At Acuity, we offer 24/7 monitoring, cybersecurity, cloud management, and much more. Our teams are built to provide comprehensive digital care and security for large systems. Here’s why managed IT is perfect for larger offices:
Proactive Service: We constantly monitor your systems to catch problems before they catch you, much like spotting a virus before it spreads.
Scalability: Whether you have one office or ten, we can adjust our services to fit your needs across locations.
Fast Response: Our dedicated teams are available 24/7, so you don’t have to wait for help.
Industry Leading Security: We are proficient with government-level cybersecurity standards. We have the skill and ability to protect your sensitive data much like banks protect your assets.
Furthermore, we provide employee security training programs to guard against social engineering attacks.
An example of one of the many benefits that comes from having managed IT services is demonstrated in a recent event where one of our teams identified and prevented a major server crash. The crash likely would’ve completely shut down a law office for at least a few hours. The team caught the issue early (a known update flaw), fixed it, and kept the client’s systems running smoothly without anyone noticing a problem.
Time Savings: Managed vs. Freelance IT
When it comes to saving time, there’s really no fair comparison to make between Managed vs. Freelance.
Freelance IT Challenges:
As mentioned, coordinating with freelancers can take time. Between booking an appointment and waiting for them to finish with other clients, you can get stuck waiting for someone to walk through the door. If you have a major problem, like a network failure, your employees could be sitting around for hours or days while you wait for a fix.
Managed IT Advantages:
Proactive monitoring often stops problems before they start. While it’s impossible to prevent every IT issue, our support teams track your network’s health remotely to get ahead of hidden issues. We monitor performance stats, unusual activity, device health, and many other data points to set up custom alerts for your specific systems. This helps us fix issues fast, often before employees even notice.
Of course, hardware issues like broken cables and upgraded computers or phones require physical presence to install or replace. Our qualified teams work efficiently to minimize repair and install delays, while tracking and reporting their work history in order to monitor overall system performance.
In other words, managed IT is focused on the long-term health and productivity of your business. We get to know your system’s health much deeper than an in-and-out technician.
Cost Savings: Managed IT as a Long-Term Investment
Without a doubt, freelancers are usually cheaper. You’re only paying them when you need them. And in a perfect world, you’d never need them. But the reality is that larger offices with sensitive data need to consider IT support as fundamental as having electricity in the building. It may cost you every month, but it’s the cost of doing business. Think about the alternative:
Freelance IT Costs:
Every time you call a freelancer, you pay for their time, and you’re done. But if you’re calling them, that means you have a problem. How big is the problem? How important is your client’s data, your daily sales goals, or your ability to access information? Downtime from an IT issue can cost you sales, clients, and/or employee productivity. You may pay the freelancer $300 that one time, but how much did you lose while you struggled to arrange an appointment, waited for him to arrive, and watched him poke around the back of a server for 2 hours?
Managed IT Value:
With managed IT, you pay a fixed monthly fee, so you always know what to expect in your budget.
By preventing problems, we save you money on emergency rates and lost business.
For large offices, or businesses with sensitive data, managed IT is an insurance policy. It might cost more upfront, but it saves you from huge losses down the road. We have saved many clients thousands of dollars by defending against security attacks with our cybersecurity services.
Why Larger Offices Should Choose Managed IT Services
Bigger offices have complex needs. Whether it’s multiple locations, dozens of computers, sensitive data, or lots of users, you have a larger digital footprint to protect and maintain. Managed IT services are built for that. Here’s why they’re the logical choice:
Built for More Complex Systems: We can manage large networks, multiple locations, and complicated setups with ease.
Ready for Growth: As your business expands, we scale our services to match, whether you’re adding devices and employees or opening new locations.
Compliance and Security: If you’re in an industry like healthcare, law, or finance, we help you meet strict regulations to keep data safe.
The Total Solution: At Acuity Total Solutions, INC we specialize in customized managed IT solutions.
Freelancers might make sense for a one-time project, like setting up a specific software. But for day-to-day IT needs, they can’t match the reliability and power of managed IT services.
For larger offices, or offices with sensitive data, managed IT services are the better choice. We save you time by preventing problems and fixing issues fast. We save money by avoiding expensive emergencies and by keeping your budget predictable. At Acuity, we’re here to help your office run smoothly. Ready to upgrade your IT services? Contact us today by clicking HERE for a free consultation. Let’s built the perfect IT solution for your business!
