For too many organizations, their IT is a source of problems, risk, stress and unexpected costs. Traditional IT support companies take a reactive, passive role and wait for their customers to call. They might make some project recommendations when they need more revenue or when a problem is best fixed with new hardware, but these changes are still done reactively. There is very little process, the costs are highly variable and the results of the computer network is usually erratic.
A proactive approach to business IT
Smart Dolphins evolved away from this business model many years ago. Managed IT is fundamentally different than most IT support providers described above. Instead of having a traditional IT support company that you call when you think you need some help, the Managed service provider takes full responsibility for maintaining a highly leveraged IT infrastructure and largely dictates the support necessary for the end result that everyone is looking for. This aligns our incentives with our clients to minimize costly problems and puts the decision making into the hands of the experts.
Investment in process and tools
This model also provides tremendous incentive for a Managed Service Provider to invest in process and tools that will lower the “noise” of a computer network. A reactive IT service provider might like the predictability that comes from process, but they typically can’t afford to make the investment necessary as it doesn’t bring them any more revenue to offset the cost.
Lower and predictable costs
Smart Dolphins (and other managed IT support providers) offer their services for a fixed monthly fee; this further stabilizes the experience for our clients. There are no scary months where a couple large, unexpected tech support requirements send the IT support costs through the roof. Furthermore, we are able to establish a long-term technology roadmap and an associated IT budget with each client, allowing future costs to be well known in advance.
Smart Dolphins provides predictable IT Solutions. Our services promise high levels of investment in efficiency tools, well-developed process, stable costs, and drastically improved IT infrastructure.