Nonprofit organizations serve a noble cause, working tirelessly to support communities and drive positive change. And in this day and age, technology is a crucial part of that. From donor management systems to data storage, it is likely that you rely on IT to keep things running smoothly.
The challenge? Most organizations don’t have the budget or in-house expertise to manage IT effectively. When your mission comes first, everything else starts to slide down the priority list – ultimately resulting in inefficiencies, errors, and even cyber-attacks.
Neglecting your IT in this way is dangerous. But you might feel as though there’s no other option. This is where managed services come in. A managed service provider (MSP) might be precisely the answer you’re looking for.
What is Managed IT?
Managed IT services allow you to outsource all of your technology needs to an external provider. Rather than handling the matter internally, you grant the MSP permission to take care of system maintenance, cybersecurity, cloud solutions, and certain strategic concerns. This frees up staff to focus on the organization’s goals, while your IT remains up-to-date, secure, and optimized.
What’s the Difference Between Nonprofit Managed IT, Nonprofit IT Support, and Nonprofit IT Consulting?
These terms all seem very similar at first glance, which can lead to confusion about what managed IT actually is. Here is a brief explanation of each:
- Nonprofit IT Support: Focuses on preventing, troubleshooting and fixing IT issues to minimize downtime.
- Nonprofit IT Consulting: Provides strategic guidance on technology infrastructure, digital transformation, and IT investments. Consultants help you plan for the future but don’t handle daily IT management.
- Managed IT Services for Nonprofits: A more comprehensive, hands-off approach that combines elements of support and consulting.
Exploring the Benefits of Managed IT Services for Nonprofits
1. Stronger Cybersecurity and Data Protection
Nonprofits handle extremely sensitive data on a regular basis. If this information is stolen, far more than your reputation is at stake – donors, volunteers, and the very community you’re working to help could experience severe harm. Most MSPs include cybersecurity services as part of their package, making your organization safer without more effort on your part. They will also help you detect older technology that could be putting you at risk, allowing you to replace it before it causes a breach.
2. Predictable IT Costs
IT costs can be extremely unpredictable, whether it’s because of broken equipment or an entire system that suddenly needs to be updated. Managed IT services help solve this problem by predicting these expenses well in advance, giving you more time to prepare. Their fixed monthly fee is also in stark contrast to staffing costs, which can vary wildly depending on many factors. When the budget is everything, this is an important benefit.
3. Better Efficiency and Productivity
Downtime stalls operations and negatively impacts fundraising efforts, making it impossible to achieve your goals. Older technology also runs slower, preventing staff from accomplishing as much each day as they otherwise might. MSPs ensure that your systems run smoothly and quickly at all times, allowing your team to focus on their work without fearing that it all might come to a screeching halt.
4. Valuable Expertise
MSPs are staffed with dozens of experts who specialize in various fields. Hiring the same amount of expertise at your nonprofit would be cost prohibitive for almost every organization, due to the extremely high expenses involved. Managed services ensure you can access all the knowledge you need for long-term success.
5. Compliance Concerns Solved
Sensitive data means strict security regulations. But with laws changing all over the world, it can be almost impossible to remember them all. Managed IT services vastly simplify this issue by keeping track on your behalf and ensuring all their solutions are fully compliant. They may also provide compliance consultancy services to provide advice and address any concerns that you have.
Explore how IT procurement can also benefit your organization
What About the Costs?
You may have justifiable concerns about the price of outsourced IT. Despite the cost benefits mentioned above, many still see it as an expensive investment reserved for those who can afford it. But surprisingly, the opposite is true. Managed services may actually represent significant savings that bring better IT within reach for smaller organizations.
Here are some of the costs associated with in-house IT:
- Staff salaries
- Training costs
- Benefits
- Unexpected repair costs
- Reduced income due to inefficiencies and slower operations
- Hardware and software upgrades
- The potential financial losses associated with data breaches or non-compliance penalties
And these are the costs typically incurred while using an MSP
- A fixed monthly fee
- Predictable, planned expenses for repair, maintenance, and upgrades
Managed IT services also operate using economies of scale: because they serve many clients, they can afford to charge less for each. This means that depending on your needs, they may cost barely more than one staff member’s salary while providing the benefits of a full IT team. Far from being yet another expense, outsourced IT is often significantly cheaper than the alternative.
How Can I Find the Right Provider?
When looking for managed IT services, you should take the following into consideration:
- Experience With Nonprofits: Choose a provider that has experience in your field and understands your biggest challenges.
- Scalability: Can the MSP’s services grow as your organization does?
- Transparent Pricing: Are their prices easy to find and understand? Are they willing to break down their costs for you?
- Communication: When speaking with potential MSPs, pay attention to their communication skills. They should be responsive, transparent, and able to explain highly technical concepts in simple terms. If you ask a question and they take days or weeks to answer, they are not right for you.
- Cybersecurity: Security must be a top priority for your chosen MSP. A provider that also offers security, compliance, or cyber awareness training services is a good starting point. Do your due diligence and vet them out thoroughly in the early stages, to ensure that they have your safety in mind.
- History: Look at reviews and case studies. Your MSP should have a strong, proven history of success.
- Location: You might want to choose managed IT services for nonprofits near your location. This is entirely optional, as most providers do offer fully remote support – but should you need to access their head office for any reason, a short travel distance will be very welcome.
How the Right Partner Can Help You Achieve Your Mission
Technology should be an asset to your cause, not another challenge standing in your way. Unfortunately, without the right support your IT can easily drag you down and prevent you from accomplishing your goals. A good MSP will ensure this doesn’t happen by addressing inefficiencies and security threats early, allowing you to thrive without worrying about your budget. If you need help handling your IT infrastructure, outsourcing may be the perfect solution.
Com Pro has delivered quality nonprofit IT services in Vancouver for many years, addressing the unique difficulties that an organization in this sector faces while providing cutting-edge technological solutions. We handle everything from software to office equipment, so your team can focus on achieving their mission. If you’re ready to enjoy the benefits of true support, request a quote today.