How to Successfully Choose an IT Support Company

How to Successfully Choose an IT Support Company

Choosing an IT company to support your business’s IT needs can be a difficult decision, as there are so many different IT providers to choose from, all with their own pros and cons. This article has some important factors to consider to help you select the most suitable IT support provider for your business. 

Make sure your IT support company has the required experience

When you are vetting any potential IT support company, you need to ensure that they have experience working with the type of business that you run. According to research by American cybersecurity and data backup company Datto, on average, IT companies can serve businesses across up to 6 different industries.
Different industries and business sizes can have very different IT systems and set-ups, so you will need to ensure your chosen IT support provider has experience with businesses similar to yours.

Additionally, it is a good idea to get in touch with some of their past and current customers, so you can determine whether their service lives up to their promises. Any reputable IT support company should be happy to provide you with references or testimonials.

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Learn what their specialties are

In addition to learning that they can competently work with your type of business, it is also important to learn what your potential IT support company’s areas of expertise are.

Different businesses utilise specific IT systems and processes that are unique to their business sector; for example, retail businesses have very unique IT requirements, dealing with systems like POS, stocktaking and inventory software, and warehouse connectivity and operations.

By choosing an IT support company that specialises in your sector, you can be assured that your chosen IT provider can confidently support the areas that your business requires assistance in, helping your business achieve its IT goals.

Ensure their service offering matches your needs

A simple way to compare different IT support providers, is to compare their service level agreements, or SLAs. The SLA should include a specific description of the services to be provided and expected service timeframes, and the tasks and responsibilities of both the IT support provider, and of your business. Your SLA will help to set the standard response times and processes for things like equipment downtime, asset management, and system failures. It also confirms who your primary contact person would be and any relevant escalation processes.

It is also important to learn if there are any specific things that your SLA would NOT cover that you would require, so you can ensure that you have any required plans in place for those situations or if you would need to look for a different IT support provider.

When you are getting quotes for your potential IT company, ask for an outline of their SLAs so you can check to make sure they match your requirements.

Find out their approach to security

According to the  Australian Cyber Security Centre Small Business Survey 62% of business owners surveyed have experienced a cyber security incident. These days, cyber security should be a major part of your IT plans, but it can often be confusing for business owners to know what they need. 

Your chosen IT support provider should have experience and a proven track record in providing cyber security planning for your business They should also be able to recommend procedures in case of cyber attacks or data breaches, and data back-up security measures to ensure your confidential business information remains safe.  It is also smart to partner with an IT provider who is able to provide cyber security training for your team; according to the 2021 Data Breach Investigations Report from Verizon, in 2020 human error played a part in 85% of all breaches recorded, so education of your staff should play a key role in your cyber security plans.

Make the right choice for now, and your business’s future

Finally, it is important to consider your future business plans to make sure that your chosen IT provider can help you meet the business goals you have today, as well as the ones you are planning for the future.

Ensuring that your IT provider can provide you with a scalable IT solution that has the ability to grow and change with your business is imperative to ensure a long-lasting business partnership.

If you are looking for the IT experts, look no further than GPK Group

When it comes to securing your business’ IT needs, you want to work with a company that will work hard to achieve the very best outcomes for both parties. This is why it’s important to choose the right IT support Brisbane businesses can rely on in the long term.

So if you want to outsource to an experienced IT company, Brisbane businesses choose to work with the GPK Group, the IT experts.Our portfolio of Managed IT Services offer Australian businesses an extensive and modern IT solution to manage your business’ unique IT needs. 

GPK Group is one of the top IT support companies Brisbane businesses trust with their IT needs. Contact us today on 1300 000 475 or click here to learn more.

Understanding Tech Terms with IT Services

Understanding Tech Terms with IT Services

The world of tech can be frustrating at times – simply because of all the jargon the industry throws at you daily. These terms can be misinterpreted, misunderstood and at worst intimidating.

So below, we break down a range of important tech terms your business will likely come across when dealing with technology and IT services providers.

404

An error arising when you go to a webpage that doesn’t exist. That’s typically because the webpage has been deleted or maybe you’ve misspelt the URL (see below).

Back-end

Refers to a part of a particular application that performs a vital task. But you, as the user, don’t even need to think about it as it’s happening. It’s not at the front-end.

Backward compatible

Software that is backward compatible means it is compatible with earlier, superseded versions of other software or hardware. The 2010 version of Microsoft Word, for instance, can read 2003 Word files.

Bandwidth

The maximum amount of data that can travel down a path of communication.

Break / Fix

Traditional IT services that only respond when IT problems arise. They are more reactive, rather than proactive.

Business continuity

The systems you have in place to clearly outline what you will do if disaster strikes your IT systems (similar to a Disaster Recovery Plan).

Cloud computing

Storing and accessing data over the Internet rather than on a separate hard drive. Think Dropbox and iCloud as examples.

Cloud hosting

Where the cloud stores your data on interconnected servers, as opposed to you hosting in a single server.

Cloud migration

Moving your data and processes to a cloud-based solution.

Cookie (or tracking cookie)

A piece of code created by a website server and stored on your computer. It monitors your preferences and your activity.

Cybersecurity

Measures you put in place to defend your IT systems from cybercriminals. Learn more about Australian cybersecurity threats here.

Disaster recovery plan

A plan to prepare your business in case your IT systems fail or your website crashes.

DNS

“Domain name server”. It’s what translates your web address into an IP address (definition below) so you don’t have to type in an IP address if you want to go to a website.

DoS/DDos Attack

A type of cybersecurity attack where somebody tries to make your computer or network unavailable – typically by trying to flood your network with an overload of information so your systems crash.

Encryption

Where you can transform your data into an unrecognisable form so unauthorised people cannot access your information.

Firewall

A security barrier to protect your computer from external connections and networks.

Gateway

A location within your network allowing it to connect with other networks.

IPaaS

“Integrated Platform as a Service”. A cloud-based platform allowing you to connect with systems in the cloud or on your premises.

IP Address

“Internet Protocol Address”. A group of numbers assigned to a particular network.

Intranet

A private group of interconnected networks allowing different computers to communicate with one another.

IT

“Information technology”. Refers to the use of computers to create, store and exchange information electronically.

LAN

“Local area network”. Connects devices within a confined area, usually in the same building, through a private network.

Managed IT service provider

MSP for short. An IT service provider providing a proactive (rather than just a reactive) customer service to deliver IT solutions for organisations.

Phishing

Email fraud where somebody sends you emails appearing to come from somebody legitimate, but aim to deceive you into providing personal or financial information.

POP

“Post office protocol”. A protocol used by an ISP (see above) to handle your email.

RAM

“Random access memory” (sometimes just referred to as memory). RAM stores information used by your computer. The larger the RAM, the more your computer can store (generally).

Ransomware

A form of IT blackmail. Where malicious software blocks access to your systems until money is provided.

Remote access

Your ability to access your company’s IT network from a remote location, whether it be home or the beach.

ROM

“Read only memory”. A computer’s memory than cannot be changed by you.

SAAS

“Software as a service”. Where you can use a piece of software, provided to you as a centrally hosted service.

SSL

“Secure sockets layer”. This allows you to send encrypted messages to other people across the Internet. A URL (see below) that begins with “https” shows that there is an SSL connection.

URL

“Uniform resource locator.” Commonly known as a web address – for example, https://gpk.firesauce.media/ is a URL.

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IT tech terms aren’t confusing with us

Contact our managed IT services Brisbane team to learn more about how these tech terms interact with your business.

Our support team specialises in creating robust IT services strategies to help your business not only operate smoothly and strengthen its network security, but grow and succeed in the process.

Shortcuts & Hacks to avoid with Managed IT Services

Shortcuts & Hacks to avoid with Managed IT Services

In life, shortcuts and hacks can make difficult or frustrating situations and issues easier, but often they can end up causing more trouble in the long run! The same can be said for shortcuts and hacks for your business. 

In today’s business landscape, companies are looking for ways to save money and reduce their spend due to the effects of COVID and lockdowns, in fact, a survey conducted earlier this year by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that 30% of business surveyed had suffered from reduced cash flow and 41% of businesses reported that their cash on hand could cover less than three months of business operations. But while saving money can be very important and even beneficial in many ways for businesses, it shouldn’t come at the expense of your business operations.

When talking about IT for your business, the outcomes of a hastily implemented shortcut or money-saving hack can often be disastrous. In this article, we will discuss shortcuts and hacks to avoid when working with managed IT services and why sometimes, slow and steady is the best way to go for your business’s IT. Here are some of the main IT shortcuts and hacks you should avoid… 

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1. Skipping onboarding

Onboarding is the process of setting your company up in order to effectively work with your managed service provider, or MSP. This can include an audit of your current systems and setup, including your current licensing, passwords, your business partners, and key contacts within the business. While onboarding can take time and resources, it is essential to ensure that your working relationship has a good starting foundation to work from, and so when you need problems solved in a hurry by your MSP, they aren’t scrambling to learn this information.

2. Signing up for the cheapest managed service agreement plan

While it may be tempting, it can be risky to go for the cheapest, minimum coverage plan for your managed services. By signing up for only, for example help desk and minor fixes, you aren’t going to be getting the best value you could from your MSP. Working with your MSP should be  a business arrangement that can help you to grow and improve your business, rather than just putting out IT fires. 

3. Not investing in adequate security training and software

According to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) an average of 164 cybercrime reports are made by Australians every day, or approximately one every 10 minutes. Additionally, ransomware has become the biggest threat, and malicious emails (i.e. phishing emails) were among the highest reported incidents.

What this shows is that cyber security should be a high priority for any business, and security training for business employees should be non-negotiable for businesses who want to keep their company and customer data safe and protected.

Another non-negotiable is investing in adequate security protection appliances such as unified threat management devices (UTMs). Many businesses are put off by the cost of these appliances as they can be quite expensive, but these all-in-one security solutions will prove their worth when faced with security threats for your business.

4. Not utilising your MSP for procurement

Many business owners are happy to make purchases of items such as computers, printers etc themselves, based on recommendations. But the only recommendations you should be taking when purchasing IT equipment is from your MSP. 

While you may be able to get some great deals on cheap laptops at your local big-box retailer, your MSP will be able to recommend the right hardware and software systems to perfectly suit your requirements, and often have special relationships with vendors to ensure a great deal when purchasing your equipment.

Another common mistake business owners make is not purchasing the right software to suit their needs, for example purchasing personal use Microsoft Office instead of Commercial Use which has a different set-up and license agreement. Your MSP will be able to navigate these options for you and help your business make smarter software decisions.

Choose to work with the IT experts, GPK Group

So, if you are happy to avoid hacks and shortcuts when looking at IT services, Brisbane businesses choose to outsource managed IT services to the managed services experts, GPK Group.

At GPK Group, our portfolio of Managed IT Services offer Australian businesses an extensive and modern IT solution to manage your business’ unique IT needs. GPK Group are experienced in working with Australian businesses, big and small, and offer the IT solutions that Brisbane businesses need; contact us today on 1300 000 475 or click here to learn more.

Our Top 5 Must-Have Managed IT Services

Our Top 5 Must-Have Managed IT Services

Managed IT services are a popular choice for businesses who want to outsource their IT and are after an all-in-one IT solution. Many different companies outsource their IT to managed service providers (MSPs) and use MSPs to cover a range of different IT services. In this article, we will discuss some of the popular managed IT services Brisbane businesses require.

What are Managed IT Services?

Managed IT services are essentially ongoing support provided by a MSP, normally for a fixed monthly fee. This resource can involve a range of services, but overall it consists of proactive monitoring and maintenance along with priority support and user and device management, to keep business IT systems running at peak performance.

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What are the Benefits of Managed IT Services for Businesses?

The main benefit of managed IT services is that they are designed to take the worry and hassle out of IT, especially for businesses owners who aren’t particularly tech-savvy. 

Investing in managed IT services also not only means that issues get resolved quickly, but businesses also have access to the latest technology and innovative solutions that can maximise productivity as well as increase profits. 

What are the Most Popular Managed IT Services?

While managed IT services can cover a range of services and benefits, some of the most popular ones are:

  • Managed Service Desk

This is generally the most requested IT service for most businesses and covers services like terminal server, desktop, and device management, and help desk/troubleshooting support for both onsite and offsite teams.This service can be valuable even for companies with their own existing IT teams; by allocating ongoing IT tasks to your MSP, your internal IT team has additional  time and resources to focus on more specific revenue-generating projects. 

  • IT Strategic Planning

IT strategy planning helps to enable and assist business growth, and can help your business achieve its objectives and goals. 

As part of this service, MSPs can identify key technologies and processes that enable your company to streamline and manage its processes more efficiently, helping to digitally transform your organisation and align your IT processes more closely with your business’s future plans. Your MSP can also assist with budgeting and procurement for additional technologies your business might require.

  • Cyber Security

Preventing cyber security attacks has become crucial for all businesses, with scammers and hackers becoming more sophisticated in accessing confidential business information. Cyber security services can help your business protect your confidential business data, prevent cyber security attacks and help your business meet legal privacy and security obligations. According to the 2021 Data Breach Investigations Report from Verizon human error played a part in 85% of all breaches recorded in 2020, so ensure that your business partners with a MSP who is able to provide education around these issues for your team, in order to help reduce any security issues in the future.

  • Data Back-up and Recovery Solutions

Your business’s data needs to be managed effectively and backed up in order to remain accessible and available for any emergency situations including security breaches or accidental loss or deletion. That’s why data management plays such an important role in keeping your business running securely and efficiently and why it is such a popular service offered by MSPs.

  • Cloud Consulting and Migration

Incorporating cloud software such as Microsoft Office 365 and Teams enables businesses to help their workforce to operate remotely, provide easier scalability and promotes a more collaborative workforce, which is very important in the current business climate with more businesses needing to be able to manage remote and offsite teams during lockdowns. Many small companies are embracing these new technologies, in fact SmartCompany’s 2020 small business trends survey found that 28% of small business owners surveyed planned to invest in cloud-based software. 

Choose to work with the IT experts, GPK Group

Looking for IT services? Brisbane businesses choose to outsource managed IT services to the managed services experts, GPK Group.

At GPK Group, our portfolio of Managed IT Services offer Australian businesses an extensive and modern IT solution to manage your business’ unique IT needs. If you’d like to find out how we can help manage your business’s IT requirements, contact us today on 1300 000 475 or click here.

5 Benefits of Managed IT Services for the Remote Workforce

5 Benefits of Managed IT Services for the Remote Workforce

The benefits of managed IT services for Adelaide businesses are clear. But what about those of your team who don’t work in the office?

Here’s the thing. Managed IT services are made for the modern workplace, and can even provide more benefit for your remote workforce.

1. Improve your operational efficiency

Working and operating remotely by nature, their services are built to enable remote working situations. So your managed IT service’s workflows, processes, and practices are already designed to integrate with your remote teams. They can work with you to improve your IT systems and workflows so they’re optimised for remote work, too.

2. Available when your staff need them

With your teams working remotely, their work hours have likely changed. That’s not to say they’re working around the clock—we sincerely hope not—but they may be starting earlier, or finishing later, to better help them balance their work life with home life.

Your Managed IT service provider does the same. Their teams understand that flexible, responsive service is critical. So while they may not work around-the-clock either, you can rest assured that your Managed IT company in Adelaide doesn’t clock off at 4.30pm. Instead, they’ll offer flexible service options that match your business hours, whether you need coverage for 8.30am to 5.30pm, 7am to 7pm, or 24-hour support. The best Managed IT providers may also have a 24-hour hotline, ensuring you’re always able to get help in an emergency, no matter the hour.

3. Facilitate growth with long-term IT strategy

Your Managed IT services provider doesn’t just support your business with its day-to-day tech needs. They also provide long-term, holistic IT strategy and support. They can work with you to understand your business’ needs, and those of your remote workforce, to ensure that solutions are built into your business’ plan that continue to optimise how your remote workforce operates.

They can provide strategic IT planning as part of their IT support to your Adelaide business, to ensure you have the room and capability to grow. And they’ll be growing with you. This ensures your business has the right tools, software, and devices available, dependent on the needs of your workers and your business plan, and that ongoing reviews and upgrades are planned in to ensure this situation continues for the long term.

4. Improved flexibility

Flexibility is critical to ensuring your remote workforce is able to manage their workload and day-to-day operations efficiently and effectively. Luckily, your Managed IT service provider in Adelaide is set up in a way that maximises flexibility in how they work, too. They understand the challenges and opportunities that remote work brings, so their systems are set up to ensure your business can take advantage of these. 

They’re able to provide you with advice and guidance on the best software and tools to use that improve the flexibility of your remote workforce. Whether it’s better channels for team communication, more effective tools for departmental collaboration, or if it’s just providing easier ways for your staff to contact their friendly Managed IT support staff for questions and queries.

Your Managed IT service provider works with you to ensure your staff have the freedom to work anywhere, and that they’re set up to do it as effectively as possible.

5. Faster response in emergency situations

Your Managed IT service provider is already working remotely, so this means they already have the response mechanisms in place should emergencies occur. In a situation where proactive issue avoidance and maintenance isn’t possible, they’re able to jump into action at a moment’s notice, and access your systems and devices, and begin working on solving your problem immediately.

This works both for cyber and physical threats, too. 

Take the example of an office fire. Your Managed IT company in Adelaide ideally already has your data working on a remote backup service. This means that all your important business documentation and information is all stored safely and securely on a cloud server, meaning there’s no chance of things getting lost in an office fire.

In terms of cyber threats, your Managed IT service provider will typically provide proactive cyber threat management, and have your antivirus and security processes updated with the latest versions. Look at the example of the Microsoft Exchange server data breach earlier in 2021. Your Managed IT service provider would have heard about this, then quickly worked to patch your system with Microsoft’s fix, without you needing to even ask them to do so.

Your Managed IT provider has plans in place to react smoothly and seamlessly, and come online to help your business in emergency situations, regardless of where they’re situated.

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Set your teams up for success with the leading Managed IT company in Adelaide

At GPK Group we understand just how important Managed IT support services are for your remote workforce, so we deliver comprehensive and robust Managed IT services for Adelaide businesses. 

Contact us today to discuss how our Managed IT services can help your remote workforce thrive. 

Are Managed IT Services Cost-Effective for Businesses?

Are Managed IT Services Cost-Effective for Businesses?

Managed IT services are a cost-effective way for businesses to get the most out of their IT support.

But that doesn’t tell the whole truth. More accurately, Managed IT services actually help your Adelaide business save money in the long run, and even improve how it operates.

Here’s how they do it.

Actively reduce your business’ downtime

Your Managed Services provider delivers proactive IT support to your Adelaide business. The key word here is proactive. They put processes in place to ensure your business enjoys as much up-time as possible.

Proactive monitoring means your Managed IT support provider is able to catch and fix any errors before they become issues. They’re also a lot more responsive should you need reactive support. Your Managed IT service provider will be available for phone support, hardware issues, or special requests, working to guaranteed response times. The less you need their immediate services, the more effective their delivery is.

Optimise how your business operates

By providing proactive support, your Managed IT service provider gets to know your business’ systems, networks, and devices much more comprehensively than a traditional IT company in Adelaide. This means they get to understand the best and most efficient ways that you can configure your network and system settings. 

They’ll be able to provide advice on better ways to manage workflows and processes, and identify tools and platforms your business can utilise to improve your service delivery and performance. It could be as straightforward as helping your business adopt a new communication tool. Or it could be as in-depth as managing the migration of your data storage to a cloud provider.

Their role is to get your business’ IT needs running at peak efficiency—and from there your business operations will follow.

Reduce your IT budget

Engaging a Managed IT company for your Adelaide business delivers a significant cost benefit, and can help you save on your IT spend. Rather than engaging an IT support provider every time you need an issue fixed, or advice, your Managed IT service provider will be engaged on a flat, monthly fee, to deliver a specific service level.

Traditional IT support relies on a break/fix model, so thinking about it cynically, the more issues you need fixing, the more you’ll require their services. Managed IT support, on the other hand, focuses on your business’ uptime. The more efficient they can help your business be, the more value you’ll see in their services. So instead of calling out tech support to fix issues, at prices that vary depending on the service and solution, your Managed IT service provider will be on call as part of their monthly contract.

They can also advise on where your business can reduce its IT overheads. This could be things like auditing your network and identifying redundant devices and software licences, or seeing where you could upgrade old energy-sapping hardware into newer, more energy-efficient versions. Small savings like this add up, and your Managed IT support service provider can work with you to identify them.

Build room for growth

The IT support needs of your Adelaide business are only likely to grow—so it’s important that you’re prepared for this growth. 

Your Managed IT services provider can ensure that your business’ IT growth is taken into account in your long-term planning. They’ll work with you to deliver a plan that provides clear steps to take and processes to follow to expand your IT infrastructure needs as your user base builds, and as your company scales. When your platforms need to be updated, your managed IT service provider will already have a plan in place to ensure your platforms, software, and systems are upgraded to ensure your IT capabilities match your growth trajectory. Their team itself is just as flexible, and they’ve got the capability and technological ability to manage your IT needs whether you’ve got a team of 20, or 200.

Protect your business’ data

The right cyber protection is worth its weight in gold. So working with the right Managed IT company provides your Adelaide business with thorough and effective cyber security that saves you more than just dollars. 

The right Managed IT provider will work with you to ensure your business has all the necessary antivirus and cyber threat protection in place, and keep these up to date against the latest threats. They also provide tools, monitoring, and proactive support to ensure cyberattacks never have the chance to become an issue for your business in the first place.

A Managed IT support provider for your Adelaide business can help you manage your data backup processes, too. They’re able to deliver regular backup services, whether to an external location, a cloud server, or both, to give you peace of mind that your business’ important data is always safe and up to date—no matter what happens.

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Get peace of mind with the leading Managed IT company in Adelaide

Managed IT services aren’t just cost-effective—they can keep your business safe against cyber threats, while providing processes to improve your operational efficiency. It’s win-win-win. GPK Group delivers comprehensive—and cost-effective—Managed IT services for Adelaide businesses. Get in touch with us today to discuss what a tailored Managed IT solution can help your organisation achieve.

6 Signs It’s Time to Upgrade Your Managed IT Service Provider

6 Signs It’s Time to Upgrade Your Managed IT Service Provider

Breaking up is never easy—even more so if it’s a service provider for your business.

But, often, it’s necessary. And as a growing business in a digital world, there may come a time when you need to break up with your Managed IT services provider. 

Instead, it helps to think of it as upgrading instead. Here are 6 signs it’s time to upgrade the Managed IT services for your Adelaide business.

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1. A lack in expertise

Your Managed IT services team should be IT experts. The core of their role is to take care of your IT needs, and stay on top of emerging IT trends, new technologies, and best practice protocol. 

So if your managed IT service provider isn’t delivering on these requirements, if they’re making promises they can’t keep, or if their service level agreement seems to change at a whim, then it’s time to upgrade to someone who delivers a higher level of expertise.

2. Not providing proactive services

SImilar to expertise, when you engage a Managed IT service provider you expect them to manage the full scope of your IT. They come on board as your IT partner, and take care of the assessment, planning, and long-term IT strategy for you.

You rely on them to map out your business long-term IT needs, and then put processes in place to ensure your software, hardware, network, and security is managed, backed-up, and upgraded proactively. So if this is occurring, it’s time to move on.

3. Slow response times

You rely on your managed service provider to keep your business up and running. Server crashes, software errors, or hardware failures can be an annoyance. Network or internet outages can be disastrous. If these occur, your managed service provider should be on top of the problem immediately. They’ll let you know what’s going on, and how they’re fixing the problem.

If you’re left waiting for your managed services provider to respond, they can cost you dearly.

For a small business, critical outages and internet downtime can cost you anywhere up to $2,000 per hour

If they’re not delivering on their defined response times, it’s time to look for someone new.

4. Cracks in your security

You can’t take any chances when it comes to your business’ data security. So if you start to notice cracks in your Managed IT services’ security provision, then it’s time to reconsider who you’re partnering with.

Their security systems need to be up-to-date. They need to be the ones proactively patching your software, upgrading your systems, and reviewing your network architecture for vulnerabilities—not you. 

At a minimum, they should provide you with The Essential Eight security model. While this may not always be obvious, it should be a given. You shouldn’t have to check if your data is being backed up automatically, or if your firewall and antivirus software is doing its job.

If they’re not providing you with a regular security update, or at least have a security portal where you can access this information yourself, it could be an indication their cybersecurity services aren’t as mature as your business needs them to be.

5. Poor customer experience

A Managed IT services provider should act as your partner. Their role is to integrate seamlessly with your business and deliver on your IT needs. So you’re within your rights to expect a certain level of customer service.

If you find it difficult to interact with your Managed IT service provider, if you’re walking on eggshells every time you speak with them, or worried about requesting support, then it’s time to move on.

Also, how they treat their own staff says a lot about their priorities. Regular new staff is a sign of growth—but if they have a rotating carousel of staff leaving, then it’s not a good sign for how they treat their clients, or your vendors.

6. They’re not growing with you

You’ll know if your managed service provider isn’t growing with you.

They might struggle to provide timely service. They might not have the staff available to provide the support you need. They might not be across the latest tech.

They may also have defined client profiles in their agreement—and if your business reaches a certain number of users, then it may be time for them to cut you free.

Discover Managed IT support for your Adelaide business that grows as you do

If it’s time to upgrade the Managed IT services for your Adelaide business, GPK Group is here to help you take the next step.

So don’t think of it as a break-up: think of it as an upgrade. Get in touch with us today to discuss a Managed IT solution for your business.

Managed IT Services: What Are They and Why Do They Matter?

Managed IT Services: What Are They and Why Do They Matter?

Business technology requirements are expanding exponentially, and IT support is evolving with it. 

Think back just 20 years. The standard business computer network was a far cry from what it is today. Your in-house IT team typically performed new installs, hardware replacements, and printer setups. They helped you get online, and set up your emails.

It was a simpler time—and look at where we are now.

The rapid pace of technological change is creating challenges for business owners to keep up with the latest innovations. We exist in an ecosystem of technology, a modern world in which traditional IT just won’t cut it.

Here’s how Managed IT services can ensure your business thrives in the modern, connected world.

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How are Managed IT services different to traditional IT services?

While Managed IT services still perform the traditional IT roles—the hardware replacements, the bug fixes, the new user set-ups—they deliver so much more than a reactive service.

As well, Managed IT services provide you with regular IT support service that takes care of the full scope of your IT needs remotely. Instead of working as a service provider, they act as your long-term IT partner.

Why Managed IT services matter

As a growing business, your IT needs will continue to evolve. Here’s how Managed IT services can help you as you grow.

They provide ‘traditional’ IT support

Your Managed IT services provider provides a holistic service, which still covers reactive IT support. They’re available to fix bugs, troubleshoot errors, replace hardware, and get your network and devices back up and running. But they can do this remotely, meaning they’re already set up to scale with your business.

They manage your people needs

Managed IT services can take care of your user accounts for you. They can set up new users, delete old or outdated accounts, set up email and account permissions. They can even provide training on how to use basic tools, platforms, and proper online security practices.

But as your IT partner, they’ll build these services into your business practices, meaning they happen automatically, rather than having to raise a request each time; it’s a streamlined process.

They ensure your business processes run smoothly

Traditional IT has a reputation for only helping to manage hardware and software, and undertake tech replacements, when asked. Managed IT service providers ensures all these processes happen proactively.

They work with you to ensure your IT needs are built into your long-term strategy plan. They’ll  create a roadmap that takes your business’ tech needs into account, and map out your replacement schedule based on the age of your technology.

Your Managed IT provider will work with you to identify the best hardware and software, and ensure you have what you need to optimise how your business operates. It’s all about your business’ needs. 

They manage your network as your business grows

Naturally, your business’ IT needs are going to grow as your business does. So too will your network load.

Your Managed IT service provides your Adelaide business with regular network reviews, and ensures it’s configured in the most efficient way. They’ll provide advice on where your network architecture can be improved, and manage the rollout of this for you. And as a long-term partner, they see the bigger picture, ensuring your network needs are built for growth at scale.

Their goal is to maximise your business’ uptime, and optimise how your business’ network, platforms, processes, and programs work together.

They keep your business safe against external threats

Experts are saying that Australian businesses are facing a ‘tsunami of cybercrime’. That’s not a comforting thought. This is why you need to partner with an experienced Managed IT service in Adelaide: they’ll ensure you stay protected against the latest cyber security threats.

To achieve this, they audit your network architecture and ensure all your platforms and programs are current. They make sure you’ve got the latest security patches and bug fixes, the most appropriate antivirus software for your business—and even eliminate unnecessary or outdated software and hardware altogether.

They also ensure your data remains protected against ransomware attacks by deploying regular data backups. This is one of the best defences against ransomware attacks. So by regularly backing up your business’ data, and helping you take advantage of secure multi-site storage, your managed IT provider ensures your information remains up-to-date and intact. They’ll help you to continue operating, no matter what happens.

Managed IT services matter, and can make all the difference to your business

Growing businesses need an IT service that scales as they do. Contact GPK Group today to discuss Managed IT support for your Adelaide business.

An Introduction to Managed IT Services

An Introduction to Managed IT Services

One of the most popular services that businesses choose to outsource is managed IT services.

In this article, we take a look at what managed IT services are and why they can be a smart choice for many businesses.

Why do businesses choose to outsource their IT?

Many businesses choose to outsource standard IT tasks to an external IT supplier for many different reasons. Some of the main benefits of choosing to externally source your IT support include lightening the workload of in-house IT teams, supplementing teams that are unable to completely meet the business’s IT requirements or completely removing the need to have an internal IT team, saving the business money on salary and recruiting requirements.

IT providers which offer managed IT services are known as managed service providers (MSPs), and these providers can be useful for ensuring complete coverage of IT duties.

What do managed IT services cover?

Although specific services and benefits of outsourcing may vary, some of the more popular services that MSPs provide include:

  • On-site and remote support
  • IT strategic planning and design
  • Network management
  • Cyber security
  • Data back-up and recovery solutions
  • Disaster recovery
  • Cloud consulting and migration

The specific services your business needs will of course depend on your business type and requirements, and these services should be laid out in your managed services contract.

What is a managed service contract?

A managed services contract is essentially a service level agreement (SLA) between a MSP and the business requiring their services. What your managed services SLA covers can vary depending on your business requirements but generally a SLA will include a specific description of the services to be provided and expected service levels, the duties and responsibilities of each party, standard response times and procedures for things like equipment downtime, system failures and asset management.

Communicating your needs and expectations with your MSP is absolutely integral, as an air-tight SLA can help to eliminate the potential for future issues caused by miscommunication or confusion down the road.

What are the benefits of managed IT services?

There are numerous benefits that businesses can gain from the right managed IT services from your IT provider. If you have internal IT support, outsourcing IT ongoing tasks as part of a managed service can free up your internal IT team to focus on revenue-generating tasks. Your MSP can also provide expert guidance and recommendations to help you optimise your IT strategies to help improve your business practices, leading to increases in productivity and improved ROI for your business.

Managed IT service providers are also often not tied to the same schedule as your other employees, meaning that MSPs are able to perform system updates and maintenance during off-hours, which means fewer workflow disruptions for your business. In that same vein, the benefits of hiring an MSP over an internal IT employee is that instead of just one person, you get a whole team of IT specialists, meaning that you don’t need to factor in things like sick days or holidays which can disrupt and delay important ongoing IT projects.

Key considerations for managed service providers

While managed service providers can offer many benefits, there are also some considerations you should be aware of before you sign your SLA:

  • Hold your MSP accountable

As we have mentioned, when choosing a MSP you need to ensure they have clearly defined and actionable SLAs.The SLA should include clear reporting of deliverables and expected performance.

  • Strategic IT planning is key

Managed IT providers should help you strategically plan infrastructure upgrades, configuration changes, and additions to ensure you are receiving full value from their managed services. To achieve this, your MSP will not only need to understand your current business infrastructure but also make efforts to plan for improvements and expansion to align with your business goals and objectives.

  • Make sure the MSP is the right fit for your business

When considering working with a MSP, you need to verify their track record with your type of business. According to research by American cybersecurity and data backup company Datto, on average, MSPs serve businesses across 5 to 6 different industries. Different industries and business sizes can have vastly different IT set-ups and so you will need to ensure your chosen IT provider has experience with businesses similar to yours. It is also worth speaking to some of their past and current customers, so you can determine whether the MSP lives up to their promises. A reputable IT support company will be happy to provide you with references. 

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Choose to work with the MSP experts, GPK Group

Looking for IT services? Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne businesses choose to outsource managed IT services for many reasons. At GPK Group, our Managed IT Services offer Australian businesses a comprehensive and streamlined IT solution that takes care of your business’ IT needs from end to end.

Claim your Free IT Network Audit today to find out why it is GPK Group’s managed IT services Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne businesses prefer, or call us today on 1300 000 475 to speak to one of our IT professionals about your business’s IT needs.

A CEO’s Guide to Managed IT Services

A CEO’s Guide to Managed IT Services

A Managed IT service is the new next-weapon in a CEO’s arsenal.

As a CEO, you need to make tough decisions everyday about where to invest your money. Logically, you would be more willing to put your money in a place where you would most likely secure a return on investment (ROI).

But now, business leaders are being called upon to invest in a new kind of investment with no typical direct ROI: IT technology.

IT services can be the difference between a successful company, and one whose data is breached and reputation considerably damaged.

So below, we’ll outline what a CEO should know about managed IT services and how it will benefit their company.

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What are managed IT services?

Managed IT services allow a business to completely outsource their IT operations to an external service provider, known as a Managed Service Provider (MSP).

These services are designed to lighten your internal IT staff’s workload. But they also act as your company’s partners to improve data security, boost the effectiveness of your network and provide a better IT experience for all your staff.

Benefits of managed IT services

While there may be no ‘direct’ ROI with IT services, the benefits far outweigh the costs – ultimately making them considerably worth the investment.

1. Reduced costs

The primary benefit of having a managed IT service is that you can significantly reduce the cost of retaining a large in-house IT team.

You are also able to avoid the cost of installing expensive software, as external providers have it all there for you. You can also focus on channeling your existing IT resources to what matters most.

You can also minimise the cost of cyber security threats, which we will detail more about below.

2. Minimisation of risk

Keeping your IT systems as they are may leave your systems and data exposed to major problems in the future. As technology advances and in-house IT teams become stretched, the risks of IT failure will become imminent.

This includes the risk of ransomware. A 2021 survey by the International Data Corporation found that over one third of organisations around the world have experienced a ransomware attack that blocked access to their data or systems in the past year.

But equally as dangerous as the risk of rogue employees. In 2017, global health insurer Bupa faced strife when an employee stole data relating to over half a million clients, and tried to sell it online. Data lawyer Bradley Freedman said that “one big network” is massively risky. Rather, that business should “structure itself so employees have access to the data they need, but no more”.

Managed IT services offer a solution to minimise all this risk. Not only will you have access to leading anti-malware software, but you can ensure your data is safe with trusted outsourced professionals.

3. Access to expertise

Having a managed IT system will gain you access to external experts, helping your in-house IT teams focus on what they do best.

Your in-house IT staff may be a master at the help desk, and provide assistance to all your staff. But they may lack expertise in advanced cybersecurity, the cloud and security compliance regulations. An external managed IT services provider will fill that gap in a highly cost-effective manner.

At the same time, your IT system may be better served focusing on strategic projects within your organisation rather than being bogged down in daily work. This could include troubleshooting your staff IT problems, doing routine software upgrades, backing up data and so on. A managed IT services provider can take over that burden, helping your internal staff. 

Need to upgrade your managed IT services in Brisbane?

If you’re looking for IT services in Brisbane, our team at the GPK Group is ready to help. We are experts at transforming complex IT concepts into simplicity, from beginning to end.

Claim your free IT network audit today and we can help to identify threats to your security and cost leakages. We’ll also outline how a managed IT services solution can help you, save you costs and provide a better IT experience all round.

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