Strategic IT management can make the difference between success and failure for any organization. Whether it’s managing service requests efficiently, making sure your backups are really backing up, or planning for an upcoming software refresh, having dedicated IT resources that are appropriate for your business is key.
For many organizations, the cost of an effective in-house IT staff can be prohibitive. For one IT professional alone, you could be looking at a triple-digit cost. Managed Services Providers (MSPs) provide a cost-effective alternative.
If you are looking for an MSP, I can help.
I’m the president of Kelser Corporation and have been in the IT industry for more than 20 years. I know the importance of a strong IT infrastructure and cybersecurity plan for all companies. Experience has shown me that there is a perception that small to mid-sized companies can’t afford to work with a managed services provider.
In this article, I’ll explain the factors that determine cost and why a strategic partnership with a managed services provider can be cost-effective and beneficial for small to mid-sized companies.
I’ll also let you know how to determine whether Kelser may or may not be a good fit for your organization.
Aren’t All IT Providers The Same?
There is a common misconception that all IT providers are the same. I beg to differ and offer the following analogy:
Think about the last time you stayed in a hotel. (I know for some of us it was a long time ago!) While it is true that all hotels provide the same basic service, some qualities make one hotel worth spending a little more. The differentiators include service, soundproofing, comfort, cleanliness, convenience, and on-site dining.
When booking a hotel, each of us has different requirements in mind.
This analogy also applies to IT service providers. Some focus on installing equipment, updating hardware, and fixing things when they break. At Kelser, that isn’t an option. We provide strategic, proactive services that position your business for success.
Rather than have IT be a necessary evil, IT can be a strategic differentiator.
At Kelser, working to understand your business’s criteria for success from the beginning ensures we are focused on your business priorities and goals.
Some IT providers install equipment, update software, and fix things when they break. Kelser offers strategic, proactive services that make your business secure, efficient and available.
What Services Does Kelser Offer?
Kelser knows the importance of having an IT infrastructure that works with and for you. We take the time to understand your business, your current computing environment, and your goals for the future.
Our managed services are designed to provide the highest level of support. Some of these include:
- Unlimited service desk support
- Managed workstations with automated patching
- Managed anti-malware and anti-virus
- DNS-based protection
- Managed employee awareness training
- Mail support
- Managed spam filtering and protection
- Managed servers including disaster recovery
- Managed network
For those who want to use IT as a differentiator, Kelser offers ongoing strategic planning services, including a virtual Chief Information Officer (vCIO) and a Technical Alignment Manager (TAM).
These experts keep tabs on your organizational goals and infrastructure needs to determine how IT best plays a supporting role.
TAMs visit customers each month to work on a list of tasks identified and prioritized jointly with you. vCIOs provide periodic reviews, along with strategic and budgetary guidance. Your vCIO and TAM stay on top of IT trends and continually explore proactive solutions for your business.
What Does Kelser Charge?
Every organization has a unique IT infrastructure and priorities that can affect cost.
Some of the factors that affect our price include:
- number of users/devices
- number of servers
- current network and firewall
- current support model
The cost for our services usually falls in the range of $120-140 per user per month, based on the variables listed above.
Can I Pick The Services I Want?
We approach your organization’s safety and ability to function the same way we approach it for our business.
We have put together a package of the essentials needed for optimal operation of any business. We believe all of the components working together is key to keep your business operating efficiently and safely. We do understand that each client has a unique set of needs and challenges, so we make sure to have conversations to ensure your business gets what it needs.
Why Choose Kelser?
There are many reasons, large and small, for choosing Kelser.
1. We Treat Your Business As If It Were Our Own
Trust and transparency are fundamental pillars of our business strategy. From our engineers to our service desk dispatchers, and everyone in between, we make effective IT performance a key strategic differentiator for your business.
We do more than fix your hardware and update your software. We go above and beyond. For example, access to our service desk is unlimited with no extra fees!
When you are our client, things work smoothly because we already have an intimate knowledge of your business priorities.
2. No Surprises
We pride ourselves on communicating with our customers so there are never any surprises.
At Kelser, there are no hidden costs.
We are happy to help with extra services on a project basis or when you need us to do something outside our agreement (such as a cloud migration), but you’ll always know the cost and delivery schedule upfront.
3. IT Is Our ONLY Business
We have the luxury of providing our customers with professionals whose entire job is to follow the latest IT developments, emerging cybersecurity requirements, and the latest threats to data security.
4. Strategic Partnership
Kelser is in it with you for the long haul. We work to understand your unique business needs from our first phone call.
Our experts have the breadth and depth to offer advice and counsel on all of your current and future IT needs.
5. Cost-Effective Solutions
Another popular misconception is that MSPs are expensive. When many businesses look strictly at cost, an MSP may seem pricey. However, when you compare the cost of a minimal IT staff (including hidden costs like onboarding, benefits, and staff turnover,) MSP prices quickly become a more effective use of money, time, and other resources.
6. Safety
Our experts are on top of the latest trends in cybersecurity and data safety. We protect your data and business/manufacturing processes.
We perform routine background checks on all of our employees and they all sign nondisclosure agreements to protect your organization as well as ours.
7. Breadth and Depth
In the daily world of business, change is a constant. Kelser is another constant.
Our experts have the experience to handle any special projects you may need.
Whether your business is booming and you need to add to your IT infrastructure or a hacker has penetrated your firewall and you need to quickly set in motion your business continuity, disaster recovery protocols, one phone call to us is all you need to get started.
We bring a wealth of resources to bear on every IT solution, and we get there faster because we already know your business.
Who Might Not Be A Good Fit For Kelser?
Businesses who are looking for an IT provider who will simply install hardware and software and fix things when they break are not a good fit for Kelser. We believe that an ongoing business relationship can avoid problems for our customers in the short and especially the long-term.
Especially in today’s world, when IT threats and capabilities are changing faster than ever, we want to be a fixture on your team, looking for ways to minimize threats and protect your business and improve efficiency.
Ready To Find Out How Kelser Can Help Make Your IT Strategy Work?
Now you have the information you need to determine whether or not a managed services provider could provide a cost-effective and strategic IT partnership for your business. You understand what drives the cost of such a partnership as well as the services and benefits that such a relationship will provide.
If you are looking for a strategic partnership with professionals who have the best interests of your business in mind, Kelser could be the right fit for you.
We’ll get to know your business and understand your unique challenges and needs, so we can work together to develop a cost-effective, customized IT plan that will be a strategic differentiator for your business.
We have the expertise to not only support your current IT activities, but the knowledge to use IT to achieve your future goals and position your business for long-term success. Let's talk about how we can help your business.
