When people are evaluating whether or not to work with a Managed Services Provider (MSP), the cost is a prime consideration. Responsible MSPs make sure that all costs are spelled out in the proposal so there are no surprises, but there is a wild card…what happens when you need to add a new employee?

In recent years, alignment has become a business buzzword of sorts. It’s appeared everywhere from Forbes to Harvard Business Review, with some even calling it a “holy grail” to which organizations should aspire.

From productivity to turnaround times, project metrics to on-time arrivals: all businesses track metrics. Metrics are important and provide a specific measurement of performance over time. But other indicators are also important when evaluating the effectiveness of business partnerships.

If you’ve been in the IT world for any length of time, you’ve likely noticed that it’s getting harder and more expensive to find and retain the range of technical experts needed to care for your network.

If you are the owner or IT manager at a small- to medium-sized business (SMB), you are likely struggling to meet all of your organization’s IT needs with limited staffing and budgetary resources.

All responsible businesses keep a tight watch on their finances. Let’s face it, the bottom line is what makes or breaks a company, right? Well, yes….and, no.

If you work for a small- to medium-sized business (SMB) and are responsible for managing IT, you may feel like you are caught between a rock and a hard place. Your IT staff (if you have one) is likely no more than a few people. This results in a limited knowledge base and technical skillset, while the daily tasks seem unlimited.

Due to a combination of high demand and fewer qualified resources, IT professionals are a hot commodity, and retention issues abound. Many small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) don’t have the resources to hire IT professionals who, with the appropriate technical skills and certifications, can often demand a six-figure salary in today’s market.