Benefits of co-managed and managed IT services in schools
Most schools have small IT departments and limited budgets. It’s not unusual for there to be only one or two people on the IT team for the entire school.
The problem is, as education in the U.S. continues to rely more on technology, the demand for everyday IT assistance goes up. After helping students and staff with day-to-day IT tasks, there’s not much time left to work on network management or invest in bigger projects.
This is where managed IT services and co-managed services can help. Schools can benefit from expert IT assistance without having to hire new employees. Even a small school district can access an entire team of professionals with the managed services model for a modest fee.
Here’s a deeper look at the benefits of managed IT services in schools.
Around-the-clock support
Even when the technician has gone home for the day, IT support that’s always available can be a game-changer for teachers and administrators.
With managed IT support, school staff can always get the help they need, whether it’s for troubleshooting complex software, patch management, or dealing with a server that’s down. They don’t have to wait to resolve issues, enabling them to focus on their work, knowing the school’s technology is accessible and performing as it should.
24/7 security monitoring
Ongoing IT support and monitoring are critical for protecting data.
There were 99 school data breaches in the U.S. public school system alone from 2016 to 2020. As a result, the personal data of thousands of students nationwide got compromised.
With co-managed or managed IT services, cybersecurity for your entire school – or the whole school district – doesn’t fall on the shoulders of a one or two-person IT team.
IT expertise to help with bigger projects
Digital transformation isn’t just for unleashing growth and realizing cost efficiencies in the business world. Technology is helping schools operate more effectively and efficiently as well.
Worldwide, educational institutions are implementing new technologies in the classroom, such as virtual reality and augmented reality, and out of the classroom with e-learning tools. They’re also moving to cloud computing to simplify workflows and benefit from AI and real-time analytics.
The sky’s the limit for learners of all ages, but schools have to lay the groundwork to get started. Managed service providers can be key players in these efforts.
With managed IT support, public schools, universities, and other institutions have access to a complete team of IT experts to help with everything from IT consulting and strategic planning to cloud migration.
No need to hire an internal IT team
The most significant benefit of using managed IT services is that your school does not need to hire more staff to experience technology advantages.
Your teachers, administrators, and support staff can do more with less with the help of a diverse team of IT professionals on hand, including cybersecurity experts, strategic consultants, and more, without having to pay the high salary required to attract another qualified IT staff member.
With co-managed and managed IT services, schools only need to pay a set monthly fee. This monthly fee makes it easier to predict and budget for technology expenses. It also empowers administrators to plan for big projects and invest in new devices and other assets for the school.
Experience the efficiency, productivity, and enhanced learning benefits that come with supported IT without the hefty price tag. Connect with CTSI today to learn more about our Managed IT Services and how it can benefit your school.
