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In just a few years, technology transformed the architecture industry. New tech tools, techniques, and practices now aid every step of the design and build process. And though these innovations have improved industry processes and results, they also come with their own set of troubles.
So if you want to get the most out of technology without the headaches, you must learn proper technology management.
You can manage technology by hiring an in-house IT team or, better yet, partnering with a managed service provider (MSP) to help you with the job. An MSP enables you to maintain and utilize technology for the benefit of your architecture company.
Intelligent Technical Solutions (ITS) is one such company. We have years of experience managing other businesses’ tech, and some of our clients are in architecture. With us taking the helm of your tech processes, you and your team can focus on providing the best service and output for your clients.
In this comprehensive guide, you should be able to learn everything you need to know before getting managed IT support services for architecture firms.
Managed IT is the practice of entrusting your IT processes and procedures to a third-party organization that consists of experts specializing on the field. Companies that offer managed IT are better known as managed service providers (MSPs). Whether they take over all your IT tasks or just parts of it is completely up to you and shall be stated clearly in your Service Level Agreement (SLA).
If you don't have in-house IT expertise, a managed IT service provider can help you manage your IT infrastructure and ensure everything runs smoothly.
Managed IT services can be a cost-effective option for smaller firms with a limited budget for hiring full-time IT staff.
Managed IT services offer flexibility to scale your IT resources up or down as needed without the additional costs of hiring and training new staff.
Managed IT services can help you ensure that your IT infrastructure is secure and protected against cyber threats such as malware and data breaches.
Managed IT services can help you comply with industry-specific regulations, such as those related to data privacy or financial reporting.
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If your architecture firm has a small IT infrastructure with basic hardware and software requirements, you may not require extensive resources and support from a managed IT service provider.
If you already have an in-house IT team and believe it can handle the ever-evolving vulnerabilities and threats to your network, managed IT may not be for you.
If your firm is comfortable with your level of control over your IT environment and does not want to relinquish that control to a third-party provider, having an in-house team may be a better choice.
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As mentioned before, IT costs can be hard to identify as it depends from business to business. Even those in the same industry don’t require the same types or amount of IT support services, so we avoid giving out specific figures when talking to clients. At best, we can tell you about our different packages – what services they include, how involved we’ll be, and most importantly, a rough estimate of how much they cost.
When choosing an MSP, never opt for a quick and easy approach. Don’t just go for the most well-known or expensive provider you find. Your business needs and their services should be completely aligned for the partnership to work. Otherwise, you’re not maximizing your IT spending. If you want to find the perfect MSP for you, here are some things you should consider:
Expertise and experience are two different things that people often interchange. The former is a loose equivalent of specialization, while the latter refers to the amount of time someone has been doing something. The ideal MSP has both, especially one with the expertise to match your needs. As for experience, opt for MSPs with accolades and achievements appropriate to their length of service. If an MSP has been around for years and has yet to prove themselves, that might not be a good sign. Don’t let your business be a guinea pig. Choose a partner that’s experienced and knowledgeable.
A proactive IT approach prioritizes prevention above anything else, and your MSP should employ this methodology. They shouldn’t just swoop in when things are already going south. Instead, they should stay on top of all your hardware and software, ensuring they’re always in the best possible condition. Not only does this prevent malfunctions, but it could also save you from security incidents, allowing you to continuously work on your projects without much worries.
Quality MSPs should be available to you and your clients 24/7. It’s no exaggeration to say that they should be at your constant beck and call. Whenever your business experiences tech issues, they should quickly address them. Regular monitoring of your servers and devices should also be their priority. This keeps your operations running smoothly and allows you to produce the best results within tight deadlines.
CAD files, building designs, sketches, and completed plans – these are the common files that architectural firms handle. Sizes can range from a few megabytes to several gigabytes, but the accumulation of all this data can overwhelm servers, causing them to crash and possibly lose important documents. In times of disaster, it is the duty of your MSP to keep these files protected and recoverable through regularly updated backups.
MSPs often partner with third-party vendors to provide their clients with the necessary software. Good examples of these are partnerships with Microsoft, Amazon, Dell, and the like. These vendors often give out certifications, which give more credibility to the MSP of your choice.
Cybersecurity is one of the most critical elements of IT. Any business that handles data and longs for success must prioritize it. That, however, is a challenging task. It requires expert knowledge and skill to implement the best strategies and solutions, which is where MSPs come in. Choose a provider with a security-first mindset that can help you prevent and mitigate security incidents and cyber-attacks.
Managed IT support for architects are a must in this day and age. Once you let the experts handle your tech, you can put all your efforts into completing your projects and growing your business. It may not fast-track your journey to success, but it’s sure to make the road as smooth as possible.
Intelligent Technical Solutions (ITS) is an MSP you can trust. We prioritize our client’s needs and goals and continuously build on our expertise and experience so we can provide the best service. With over 20 years of experience under our belt, we’re confident that we can help your business stay competitive in the field of architecture.
If you want to know if our managed IT services are the right one for your business, you can schedule a meeting with our experts so they can assess where your tech stands and where we fit in.
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Managed IT support for architects are a must in this day and age. Once you let the experts handle your tech, you can put all your efforts into completing your projects and growing your business. It may not fast-track your journey to success, but it’s sure to make the road as smooth as possible.
Intelligent Technical Solutions (ITS) is an MSP you can trust. We prioritize our client’s needs and goals and continuously build on our expertise and experience so we can provide the best service. With over 20 years of experience under our belt, we’re confident that we can help your business stay competitive in the field of architecture.
If you want to know if our managed IT services are the right one for your business, you can schedule a meeting with our experts so they can assess where your tech stands and where we fit in.
