The Benefits of Managed IT Services for UK Businesses

Posted by FluidOne on Sep 17, 2024 11:13:31 AM
The Benefits of Managed IT Services for UK Businesses
9:30

Managed IT services used to be synonymous with cutting costs - not anymore. Businesses across the UK are utilising them to solve problems and gain an edge in their market. Let's dive into why this matters and how FluidOne is making a difference.

The Real Benefits of Managed IT Services

Focus on What You Do Best

If you are an entrepreneur you would likely agree that managing IT systems was not the motivation for starting your business. A passion for products, customers, and growth ranked far higher. But too often, businesses find themselves bogged down in IT issues.

Managed services take this burden off your shoulders. Instead of your team spending hours troubleshooting network problems or updating software, they can focus on what truly matters - serving customers, innovating, and driving the business forward.

For example, a manufacturing company we work with used to have their Operations Manager spend about 15 hours a week dealing with IT issues. After switching to managed services, those 15 hours are now spent improving production processes and managing customer relationships.

Tap into Expert Knowledge

Technology changes faster than we can truly grasp. Keeping up with the latest developments in cyber security, cloud computing, and network management is a full-time job. Managed service providers employ specialists who stay on top of these changes.

This means you get access to expertise that would be hard to maintain in-house. Need to implement a new cloud solution? There's an expert for that. Worried about the latest cyber security threat? A specialist is already working on the case.

One of our clients, a law firm, struggled to secure their sensitive data against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Our team of security experts implemented a comprehensive security solution that the firm's in-house IT person simply didn't have the specialised knowledge to create.

Make Smarter IT Decisions

Well-managed service providers don't just fix problems - they help you plan. They can guide your IT investments, ensuring your technology supports your short and long-term business goals.

This strategic guidance is crucial. We've seen businesses waste thousands of pounds on unnecessary hardware or software because they didn't have the right advice. They may not have even known there was a better way of doing things. A managed service provider can help you avoid these costly mistakes and invest wisely in technology that will truly benefit your organisation.

For instance, we helped a retail client avoid an expensive server upgrade by showing them how cloud solutions could meet their needs more effectively and at a lower cost - a vital decision when margins are thin.

Stay Ahead of the Curve

New technologies emerge constantly. AI, IoT, 5G - the list goes on. It's exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. How do you know which technologies are worth investing in?

Managed services help you adopt these technologies sensibly, keeping your business competitive without unnecessary risk. We stay on top of trends and can advise you on which technologies are mature enough to implement and which ones you should wait on.

A logistics company we partner with was able to implement IoT sensors in their warehouse, improving inventory tracking and efficiency, because we helped them navigate the complex world of IoT implementation.

Why FluidOne Stands Out

FluidOne is unique among IT providers. We've built our service offering and our reputation on truly understanding and meeting the needs of UK businesses. Here's what sets us apart:

Everything Under One Roof

We offer a complete range of IT services - from basic connectivity to advanced cyber security. This means you can deal with one provider for all your IT needs, simplifying your operations.

Take a second and think about it - instead of juggling multiple vendors for your internet connection, phone system, cyber security, and IT support, you have one point of contact. This not only saves time but also ensures all your systems work together seamlessly.

We have a wide range of clients, from small businesses to multi-location retail companies, and a common story you'll find is that they have been able to streamline their operations significantly by consolidating all their IT services. They went from managing five different IT vendors to just one - us.

Platform One: Our Edge in Connectivity

Our Platform One network is unique. It combines services from multiple providers, giving you better performance and more flexibility than traditional single-provider solutions.

What does this mean in practice? It means we can offer you the best possible connectivity solution for your needs, not just whatever a single provider has available. Need high-speed fibre in one location but only require a basic connection in another? We can do that. Want a backup connection from a different provider for redundancy? We've got you covered.

For instance, financial services firms notably require absolutely reliable internet connectivity for their trading activities. With Platform One, we have been able to provide them with a primary high-speed connection and a backup from a different provider, ensuring they stay connected no matter what.

DASH: Control at Your Fingertips

Our DASH portal gives you direct control over your services. Need a quote? Want to adjust your service? You can do it quickly and easily, without waiting for callbacks.

This level of control is unusual in the managed services world. Most providers require you to call or email for every little change. With DASH, you're in the driver's seat. You can view your services, make changes, and even get quotes for new services, all in real-time.

A busy hotel chain uses DASH to manage services across all their properties. They can quickly adjust bandwidth for special events, view bills, and manage their entire IT infrastructure from one easy-to-use portal.

Proven Track Record

We're proud of our high customer satisfaction scores and our reputation as a great place to work. Happy employees lead to better service for you.

This isn't just feel-good talk - it has real implications for the quality of service you receive. Our low staff turnover means you're more likely to talk to someone who knows your business and your setup. Our high customer satisfaction scores (consistently over 80%) reflect our commitment to solving problems and meeting needs, not just ticking boxes.

We Listen

It may be a cliché, but every business is different. We take the time to understand your specific needs, then tailor our services to match. It's not one-size-fits-all with us.

This approach has led to some creative solutions. For a media industry customer, we developed a custom setup that allows for fast transfer of large video files between their offices and remote workers - something they couldn't find with other providers who were trying to shoehorn them into existing packages.

Experience Matters

We've been in this industry for many years. We've seen technologies and trends come and go, and we use this experience to give you reliable, future-proof solutions.

This long-term perspective is valuable. We're not about chasing the latest fad - we recommend technologies and solutions that we're confident will stand the test of time. Our clients appreciate this stability, knowing that the solutions we implement today will still be serving them well years down the line.

Serious About Security

Cyber security isn't an afterthought for us. We offer round-the-clock monitoring and regular testing to keep your data safe.

In today's world, this is essential. We've helped numerous clients recover from and prevent cyber attacks. For example, we collaborated with a mid-sized accounting firm to implement a comprehensive security solution that includes regular staff training, robust firewalls, and continuous monitoring. Since implementation, they've had zero successful cyber attacks, despite being in a high-risk industry.

Real Support from Real People

When you need help, you'll talk to knowledgeable people who care about solving your problem. No robots, no scripts - just genuine assistance.

This might sound basic, but it's surprisingly rare. Many of our new customers come to us frustrated with the impersonal, script-driven support they've received elsewhere. Our support team is UK-based, highly trained, and empowered to solve problems, not just follow a script.

Taking the Next Step

If you're tired of IT headaches holding your business back, let's talk. We offer a free IT consultation to understand your needs and show you how we can help.

During this consultation, we'll:

  1. Review your current IT setup
  2. Discuss your business goals and how IT can support them
  3. Identify any immediate areas for improvement
  4. Provide a roadmap for optimising your IT infrastructure

IT doesn't have to be a constant worry. With the right partner, it can be a powerful tool for growing your business. Let FluidOne show you how.

Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and take the first step towards transforming your IT from a headache into a strategic asset.

Subscribe to our email updates