Partnering with a managed services provider (MSP) provides enterprises of all sizes with many benefits. Not least among them is the IT support and services that help manage and protect the network of hardware, software, and data an enterprise uses. The following describes how an MSP transforms a firm’s business technology into a more efficient asset.

Technology will always have a habit of going wrong. Hardware can fail without warning, hackers can strike when you least expect it, and overlooked vulnerabilities can leave your entire technology infrastructure open to failure or, worse still, a data breach.

By now, most professionals have achieved at least a basic level of competence when it comes to technology skills. However, while many will agree that, from an end-user perspective, technology is getting easier to manage, its inner workings are more complex than ever before.

Every technology trend comes with its share of professionals...and greenhorns. Cloud computing is the most recent example, and some small business owners struggle to distinguish between providers that know what they’re doing and those who are taking advantage of the spike in demand.

The ugly truth is that succeeding in today's market is almost impossible without reliable technology. As much as some business owners prefer to take a DIY approach or rely on hourly contractors, they need a team of IT professionals who know the ins and outs of tech.

Regardless of whether your organization employs accountants or architects, every modern business needs affordable and responsive technology support. From basic communication systems to hi-tech business continuity solutions, pretty much everything your office does involves some form of IT. And unfortunately, sometimes IT breaks.

In recent years, cloud computing technologies have revolutionized the modern workplace. But with innovation comes no small amount of confusion, and many SMBs have difficulty setting up and maintaining a suitable IT environment. Maintaining in-house systems can be expensive and complicated, particularly when you need a dedicated team to maintain them.

Technology is one of the most slippery variables of any small- to medium-sized business’s budget. It advances at a breakneck speed, and sometimes you feel as though you’re spending more time trying to get it working than you are doing business. Although hiring a full-time IT employee might seem like the quickest and cheapest way to overcome these hurdles, that couldn’t be further from the truth.