Intelligent SME.tech Issue 38 | Page 36

// EXPERT PROFILE //

LISTENING TO
THEIR IT TEAMS ’ EXPERIENCES , REQUESTS AND FEARS OFFERS ORGANISATIONS AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD AN IT ENVIRONMENT
CAPABLE AND FLEXIBLE ENOUGH TO WITHSTAND WHATEVER
COMES NEXT . payroll , customer engagement and vendor management . In fact , you can find an MSP to handle almost any business process .
UK MSP adoption slower than other countries
Our research showed that 57 % of UK IT admins use MSPs to some extent within their IT programme . However , this is 12 % lower than the global average and 22 % lower than the US . So , while the benefits of working with an MSP are recognised , UK adoption is definitely slower than in the other regions surveyed .
Interestingly , despite half of the UK respondents who don ’ t use MSPs stating that they prefer to handle IT themselves , the ability of MSPs to increase IT admins ’ effectiveness at managing IT was the top named result , highlighted by 53 % of MSPs users in the UK and 56 % globally .
Unfortunately , the lower-than-average budget expectations for the second half of 2023 indicate that there is no guarantee UK IT admins will be able to get satisfaction in the near term . This could lead to employee churn , as admins seek more fulfilling roles in other businesses .
This presents a key disruptive risk for UK SMEs in an environment that is already experiencing a downturn .
Optimising operations by working with MSPs
Therefore , how can SMEs optimise their operations with an MSP ? Interestingly , an MSP ’ s ability to deliver significant results is a belief widely shared by all surveyed IT professionals : 90 % of SMEs are either already working with or considering using an MSP . Whether it ’ s for better security , a better employee experience , increasing admin efficiency , or making the job of IT easier , SME IT admins are reporting broad MSP benefits .
Therefore , now is the time for UK organisations to evaluate how they might engage or look to deepen their MSP investment to best leverage partner expertise for better overall IT operations . Additionally , it is also worth exploring where technology investment could relieve the admin burden , reduce frustration and enable SMEs to retain talent .
Without the appropriate skills , UK SMEs , who are the backbone to the British economy , are being forced to drive with the handbrake on , and this will only continue to stifle any future development and growth . Listening to their IT teams ’ experiences , requests and fears offers organisations an incredible opportunity to build an IT environment capable and flexible enough to withstand whatever comes next . �
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Intelligent SME . tech