Asking questions is one of the best ways to solve a problem or improve a business. We get a lot of questions about our Managed IT and Managed Print services from law firms, engineering companies, non-profits, and many others. We’ve put together a few of the most common questions here, to make it easy for you to find the answers you’re looking for.
And if you have more questions after reading this article, great! We’re right here to answer them for you.
Let’s get started with FAQs related to Managed IT.
Is my team too small to justify working with a Managed IT company?
It’s true that Managed IT firms may have specific criteria about the size of the organizations they serve. For example, here at Com Pro, we work with clients who have anywhere from 3 to 250 users. But in addition to service capacity, here are three more key components you should think about when considering working with an MSP:
- Do They Offer Flexible and Scalable Solutions?
Although your business may be small now, what’s your potential for growth in the next few years? You want your IT to be easily scalable so you can grow your IT infrastructure alongside your business.
Com Pro offers an IT Essentials Plan that makes our services for smaller teams more cost-effective. But we also provide other flexible services and plans that can be scaled up or down.
- Do the Service Packages Suit Your IT Needs?
Initially, you may only want to outsource certain IT services; but, some MSPs will try to force you into buying a bigger service package than you need.
At Com Pro we help our small business clients determine priority requirements and then implement services most appropriate to their needs.
- Do They Offer Services to Fit Your Budget?
When you’re a small business you might think that purchasing a partial plan is the way to go. You can always pay for additional billable help desk hours if you need to, right?! But remember, extra hourly fees add up fast and can do a number on your budget.
Full IT services may be more expensive, but they provide peace of mind. All expenses are covered at a predictable cost, even in worst-case scenarios.
At Com Pro, we can help you find a plan that won’t wreak havoc on your books. We’ll make sure to find a balance between your needs, business goals, and budget. And we’ll help you become a more tech-savvy business that’s three times more likely to create innovative new solutions.
Are you still wondering about Managed IT for your small business? Visit our blog post, What to look for in an IT Managed Service Provider?
But what if you already have in-house IT? Read our next FAQ to find out.
Will an MSP work with me even though I already have existing in-house IT?
Absolutely! It makes sense for many companies to have a point person or a small IT department work on certain aspects while outsourcing other portions, like your help desk, security, engineering, or complex problem solving.
Here are a few examples of how outsourcing parts of your IT to an MSP can benefit your organization:
- Eliminate the need to staff your IT team for varying skill sets.
- Free up in-house IT experts for projects that promote innovation.
- Easily scale up or down to respond to your company’s needs at any given time.
Complementing your in-house IT with a Managed IT service provider sounds fantastic, doesn’t it?
But now we bet you’re wondering, What IT Services Should Be Kept In-House and What Can Be Outsourced? Follow the link to find out.
Cloud computing is a service that you can outsource to an MSP. But is it time for your business to move to the cloud? Read our next FAQ to find out.
Does it make sense for my business to start moving to the cloud?
There’s no doubt that the cloud has become more and more appealing to businesses as the technology has become more affordable. And let’s face it, cloud access is an incredibly convenient solution when it comes to data accessibility. Add in factors like scalability and initial low capital investment, and you can see how cloud hosting could be your best bet. But it’s not without drawbacks. Ongoing costs can make cloud hosting difficult to justify depending on the data requirements of your business.
Alternatively, if you choose to stay with in-house servers you can benefit from physical control over backup data, have the ability to keep critical data securely in-house without allowing any 3rd parties access, and potentially lower your ongoing data storage costs. But this in-house approach is not without disadvantages. On-premises servers have a higher initial cost and the additional long-term expense of maintenance and updates.
So, should your business move to the cloud? As you can see, the answer may not be as clear-cut as you would like. We recommend consulting with a knowledgeable and expert Managed IT service provider like Com Pro to help you make an informed decision for your unique business requirements.
In the meantime, for more in-depth information you could read our blog post, How Do I Choose a Cloud Service Provider?
Now that we’ve covered some Managed IT FAQs, let’s keep it going and answer some questions about Managed Print.
FAQs related to Managed Print
What is the difference between an A3 and A4 device, and which makes sense for me?
The biggest difference between an A3 and A4 multifunction printer (MFP) is that A3 devices are compatible with copying and printing 11X17 paper. But there are a few more things you should know before deciding which machine is best for you:
A3 Multifunction Printers
- When it comes to office copiers, the A3 devices are the full-sized devices you picture when you think of a photocopier.
- Due to their lower cost of operation, they may make sense for printing higher volumes, even when you don’t require 11X17 printing.
A4 Multifunction Printers
- A4 devices print typical letter size documents and are smaller in size, which makes them a popular choice for home offices.
- You can purchase them affordably at standard electronics stores.
- The smaller consumables mean a lower overhead cost when setting up your device.
So, which device makes the most sense for your business? If you don’t print many documents and don’t need many users, then an A4 is a great option. But that’s just one piece of the puzzle.
When you’re ready to dive into your business’s printing requirements, check out our handy guide on Finding a Multifunction Printer Made for Your Business.
Do you have more questions about printer features? Our next FAQ might be right up your alley.
I would like to track print usage by individual, but does that mean adding an expensive option to the machine?
Not at all! MFPs now come with built-in basic tracking software, workflow and security features that used to only be available as expensive add-ons. That means that tracking print usage is a readily available feature with no additional cost to you. You can:
- Create detailed printing reports across your network of printers.
- Gather insights to provide cost data for your office’s printing budget.
- Encourage more efficient printing from your staff.
- Reduce waste and introduce more sustainable print practices in your office. It’s a win-win for your business and the environment!
We’re proud to carry a wide range of all-in-one printers from the best in the business.
Discover another way to increase printing efficiency in your office by reading the next FAQ.
We use RFID cards to enter our buildings. Is it possible to use our existing RFID cards to access print capabilities on a multifunction device?
Yes! And what a great idea. RFID readers are an inexpensive add-on to your MFP. You can combine your existing RFID cards to access your MFP, bringing a flexible and user-friendly printing experience to everyone in the office. When implemented securely, RFID can make your printing effortless and improve your workplace productivity.
Your employees will be able to use swipe or tap authentication to print or copy documents in the office. It’s a great way to enhance security and tracking without adding a major inconvenience to your users.
That’s it for our shortlist of FAQs related to Managed IT and Managed Print. Have we missed anything you’ve been wondering about?
If you have any other questions, give us a call. Curious people always ask the best questions!