Award Winning
IT & Comms
Since 2005
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Award Winning
IT & Comms
Since 2005
Global Reach, Local Support
Empowering SMEs through IT & Comms Solutions Excellence…
How much should you be paying for your Managed IT Solution?
When businesses evaluate a potential purchase or investment, cost is always a key consideration. However, opting for the lowest price can often lead to false savings, especially when selecting an IT support provider. In this industry, choosing a bargain option may expose your business to unnecessary risks. It’s essential to remember the old adage: “If something sounds too good to be true, it likely is”.
What is a Good Deal? £25 per user, per month, for a Managed IT solution that includes proactive monitoring, “cyber protection,” and unlimited support – that sounds like a great deal, right?
Consider a small business with 15 users, that’s a total of £375 a month for a Managed IT Service—that sounds like a good investment? But what does that £375 actually get you? A traditional ad-hoc IT support service typically costs £80 to £120 per hour – an MSP uses the same skilled technicians, so their rates are calculated on comparable labour costs, albeit assumed, plus labour costs associated with ‘Monitoring’ an organisation, as well as any ‘Proactive Support’, plus any Protection software included in that £25 price point.
Assuming they have the appropriate resources, that £375 equals a maximum of 4 hours support over the entire month, with at least a couple of hours needed for reactive support. And whilst the cost of their supplied software can vary, we’ll assume they’ve invested an appropriate amount to ensure your organisation is protected? So what’s left from that £375 to ‘proactively monitor’ and ‘maintain’ your organisations IT infrastructure , as well further support and give you the confidence your IT and your business is in safe hands?
At this point, you might be reconsidering whether that £25 per user is really such a “great deal.” And whilst not every business needs the full suite of services that an enterprise-level MSP offers, there are budget-friendly, co-managed options. However, whoever you choose as your MSP, you’re selecting a partner—not just making a cost-saving decision. Even if you’re not using all their services, knowing they have the skills and resources in place (and you’re being billed appropriately) should give you confidence in their support.
Let’s explore a little more why cutting corners on IT support could ultimately cost you more in the long run…
Cheap Service or Genuine Partnership?
A low-cost Managed Service Provider (MSP) usually reflects the quality of service they can offer. Just because two MSPs claim to offer managed services doesn’t mean their offerings are equal. Take the time to dig deeper into what you’re really getting. A true IT partner will provide more than just basic support—they’ll be aligned with your business goals and work proactively to enhance your operations.
Lack of Resources Hurts Your Growth
Is the MSP a one-person operation? While small businesses can certainly deliver excellent services, they may not have the capacity to fully support a growing client base. There are only so many hours in a day, and insufficient staffing could limit their ability to address your needs promptly. You need a provider with the right resources and expertise to not only solve problems quickly but also contribute to your business’s long-term growth, not slow it down.
Proactive Protection Is Essential
A cheap MSP often lacks the infrastructure to proactively monitor and protect your business. While having a helpdesk for reactive support is useful, it’s far more important to have systems in place to prevent issues before they occur. The best IT support companies invest in top-tier monitoring and security tools that detect and address potential problems early—often resolving them before they affect your productivity. Regular updates, patches, and security measures are crucial to ensuring your data is safe and your technology runs smoothly.
Outgrowing Your IT Provider
A low-cost MSP may struggle to keep up as your business grows. They often lack the resources and expertise to scale their services at the pace you require. You need an IT provider capable of evolving alongside your business, offering flexible solutions that meet your expanding needs.
Long-Term Value Over Short-Term Savings
Focusing solely on cost can lead to overlooking long-term value. While a cheaper MSP might save you money upfront, the hidden costs of downtime, security breaches, or inefficiencies can quickly outweigh any initial savings. A reliable IT partner, even if it comes at a higher price, provides peace of mind and better return on investment by helping your business operate smoothly, securely, and efficiently.
Investing in Expertise Ensures Stability
Your IT provider should be more than just a vendor—they should be an extension of your team. A provider with skilled technicians and proven expertise can ensure stable, uninterrupted business operations. They will have the tools, processes, and resources necessary to not just respond to issues, but to prevent them, so your team stays focused on what they do best.
Our ‘Enterprise’ Managed IT Solution ensures that all Users are provided with a guaranteed level of support, as well as providing 24/7 Monitoring for your systems – depending on your requirements, you can add ‘Bundles’ to complement your Managed IT Service.
And excluding the cost of peripheral hardware (printers etc), our Enterprise Service combined with our Cloud+ Suite and Cyber+ Suite gives you an “All You Can Eat” solution, covering your primary IT budget for less than the price of a fancy coffee at your local coffee shop.
Enterprise Managed IT
Cloud Suite (add-on bundle)
Cloud+ Suite (all the above plus…)
Cyber+ Suite (add-on bundle)
There is no such thing as “too much support” but if you would prefer a less-managed solution that still enjoys unlimited Award Winning Support, advanced EDR Antivirus and 24/7 system monitoring, we also offer some less feature-rich co-managed solutions such as our “Essentials” and our “Pro” Managed IT services – click the Compare Services button below or speak to our sales team for more information.
Which bundle/Microsoft Plan is the best fit for your organisation? It really depends on your specific needs and priorities, but here are some factors to consider when making your decision:
Company size: If your organisation has fewer than 300 users and requires a comprehensive productivity suite with built-in security and device management features, Business Premium (included as part of our Cloud+ Suite) is likely the better option. However, if you have more than 300 users or anticipate rapid growth, M365 E3 may be a better fit (as an upgrade to our Cloud+ Suite).
Security and compliance needs: If your organisation has strict compliance requirements or needs advanced security features, Business Premium has a strong set of tools included, but E3 provides a more viable upgrade path to E5 security and compliance.
Budget: Business Premium is generally more affordable than E3, making it an attractive choice for cost-conscious SMBs. However, its worth checking the benefits of M365 E3’s advanced features against the additional cost to determine the best value for your organisation.
Please note, you can add Onsite Support & our Cloud Suite to our Essentials, Pro and Enterprise Managed IT services, but our Cloud+ Suite is only available with our Pro or Enterprise Managed IT Services, and our Cyber+ Suite is only available with our Enterprise Managed IT Service. Terms and conditions apply – speak to our Sales or Support teams for more details on any of the above. *Service Days & Workstation Installation (e.g. upgrades and new users) are subject to the ‘Onsite Support’ bundle being added.
