Remote IT support: Ensuring productivity in the era of remote work

Four years since remote work became the ‘new normal’, we’re all aware of its far-reaching benefits for both employees and organisations. However, to unlock the full advantages of remote work, you need the right systems in place. CIOs across Australia understand this well, which is why they are increasingly turning to managed services.

The demand for managed services is loud and clear. According to Cisco-commissioned Canalys research, Australian managed services revenue is expected to grow 14% year-on-year between 2023-2025.

CIOs are choosing to outsource key IT services for a number of reasons, but the two most commonly-cited ones are that engaging managed services enables access to skills not available in-house and frees up internal resources to focus on the core business (Source: KMPG).

While access to specialised skills and resource allocation are significant motivators for organisations to engage with managed service providers, the benefits of outsourced IT support encompass much more. Organisations are experiencing positive impacts in critical areas such as security, sustainability, and productivity as result of embracing managed services.

Security advantages of managed services

One of the most significant concerns for organisations, especially in an era of remote work, is cybersecurity. With employees accessing company data from various locations and devices, the risk of cyber threats increases exponentially. Engaging a managed service provider to run and manage your security operations centre (SOC) can help protect your organisation from cyber threats.

SOC-managed services help keep your tech, team, and company protected by:

• providing 24/7 threat monitoring,
• developing and executing threat-remediation strategies,
• and hunting and responding to even the most complex cyber threats.

Environmental advantages of managed services

A dominant force shaping every department and organisation, sustainability is one of the biggest themes influencing today's organisations. By centralising IT infrastructure and operations, managed services streamline energy consumption and reduce the carbon footprint associated with traditional in-house IT operations.

Environmentally-conscious managed service providers will prioritise sustainable practices, such as implementing energy-efficient hardware and cloud-based solutions. By partnering with environmentally-conscious providers, organisations can align their IT initiatives with broader sustainability goals, reducing their environmental impact while strengthening their operational efficiency.

Improved productivity for remote work

One of the most critical, but often overlooked, advantages of managed services lies in their abilities to cultivate a more efficient, productive workplace, particularly within the realm of remote work.

A good managed service provider will offer round-the-clock technical assistance and remote support, ensuring that employees have uninterrupted access to essential applications and resources, regardless of where they are working from.

Managed services help raise productivity levels by:

• Providing 24/7 monitoring to respond to any issues fast—ensuring disruptions to your workflow are kept at the absolute minimum.
• Managing and maintaining all infrastructure to keep the various components of your IT environment running smoothly.
  
• Providing on-demand access to specialists to ensure employees receive expert guidance on troubleshooting issues and implementing new tech or practices. This enables any challenges to be resolved quickly and efficiently.
• Keeping your security measures tight to mitigate the risk of disruptions. Your outsourced IT team keeps your IT environment up-to-date and secured with the latest patches, protecting against the vulnerabilities and compatibility issues that can keep your team from performing at their best.

The advantages of managed services extend far beyond technical support. By leveraging managed services, organisations can enhance security, promote sustainability, and boost productivity, ultimately driving business success in the era of remote work.

As CIOs continue to navigate the evolving landscape of IT management, partnering with a trusted managed service provider can be the key to unlocking the full potential of remote work.

Truis is proud to connect organisations across Australia with the managed services that help them thrive.

Learn more about our approach to managed services.