Pros and Cons of Partnering with a Pittsburgh MSP for Your Business

Business technology is constantly evolving. If that’s news to you, then you might be leaving an opportunity on the table. Because of this reality, reliable IT support has never been more important.

This is reflected in overall technology trends. According to a recent poll cited by The New York Times,82 percent of U.S. technology managers expected a recession in 2023 – but despite that fact, 62 percent stated that they still intend to invest in technology and that tech spending would be the same or increase compared to 2022. Among Pittsburgh firms, we are hearing from leaders that they are planning to continue to invest in 2024 as well.

“We have to continue to invest. You can’t do what we’re trying to do without technology.”

- Vijay Sankaran, Chief Technology Officer of Johnson Controls 

Maybe your IT needs are to enhance theemployee experience or ensure yourcloud infrastructure is maintained. Regardless, decision-makers at organizations must prioritize IT support and understand its value. If they don’t, it will be much tougher to reach goals while falling behind the competition. 

There’s still an opportunity to get ahead, though. Roughly50% of organizations today leave a staggering 50% of potential digital value (or more) on the table in comparison to the leaders in their respective industries. We don’t need to tell you that’s a lot of untapped value! 

For organizations in Pittsburgh, they have the opportunity to be on the right side of that 50% – and that can be done by connecting with the right IT Managed Service Provider (MSP). An effective IT partner can be a complete game changer – not only for your operations, but for your bottom line. 

At Ceeva, we’re a local Pittsburgh MSP that’s been providing service since 1992. In this article, we’ll help you understand the honest pros and cons of partnering with a Pittsburgh MSP for your organization’s IT needs.

The Cons of Partnering with a Pittsburgh MSP 

Of course, there’s no perfect solution to any problem. That’s why out of the gate, we’re going to start by offering a look at the cons of partnering with a Pittsburgh MSP.

1. Re-Explaining Your IT Needs

One potential downside of working with a new MSP is the need to re-explain your IT requirements and workflows. Transitioning to a new IT provider often involves a mild learning curve as the MSP becomes familiar with your specific needs.

However, struggles in this department can be avoided by ensuring clear communication happens throughout the process. If any miscommunications do arise, addressing them in the short term is worth the struggle if it leads to better operations in the long term.

2. Pricing Model

When you change to a differentPittsburgh IT consultant, the pricing model might change. 

For Ceeva specifically, we use a unique pricing model off using blocks of hours that no other local organizations use. While our model is very flexible and offers numerous benefits compared to normal IT pricing, it might take a bit of time for your team to get accustomed to it at first.

However, understanding how this approach works can help organizations utilize their budgets more effectively. It’s simply about aligning your budget and IT support expectations.

3. New People, New Processes

Change can be challenging, we know. Ceeva has been serving the Pittsburgh area for over three decades, so we understand that organizations may like to do things a certain way. But that’s also how organizations get stuck in the past and lose their fast-adapting edge.

Change offers excitement and opportunity. Being open to learning and embracing newmanaged IT services trends may help an organization unlock potential they didn’t realize was possible.

The Pros of Partnering with a Pittsburgh MSP

The modern world offers a variety of approaches to IT support. Here, we outline the benefits of a local Pittsburgh MSP partner.

1. Local Vendor & Community Expertise

As a local business for more than 30 years, we not only understand modern technology and how to provide excellent IT support, but we know Pittsburgh. We know the people here. We know their values and priorities. We know the environment. 

As an example, earlier this year, we partnered with the non-profit Animal Friends and helped transform their organization to usher in anew age of technology. This local expertise can be invaluable when it comes to tailoring IT solutions to meet your specific needs. 

We believe in building up the community in which we work and live – this means offering freelocal webinars and even networkingmountain biking events. 

2. Robust Processes and Documentation

An expert Pittsburgh MSP is always ready to help. One of the standout advantages is the access to robust processes and documentation. What that means is that you’re able to get the information you need when you need it – and you’ll understand exactly what is going on. 

The localized approach ensures that IT systems are managed efficiently, minimizing downtime and disruptions to your operations.

3. Scalability

One of the most overlooked keys to successful businesses is adjusting your outsourced services while you grow. In the IT world, that means that Ceeva is ready to scale with you whenever it’s right for you – no matter how many employees (IT experienced or not!) you have.

You can adjust your Pittsburgh MSP IT support needs according to your changing and evolving requirements. Whether you’re scaling up during a growth phase or optimizing resources during slower periods, our uniquemanaged IT services approach provides flexibility and adaptability based on your needs.

4. Quick Support

Do you like calling an 800 number, talking to a robot, and ending up on hold for a half an hour? 

We know the answer. In the IT support world, there’s no substitute for swift, human assistance when you need it most. We pride ourselves on knowing the importance of being there for clients. This dedication ensures that technical issues are resolved promptly, minimizing disruptions to keep an organization’s operations running smoothly. 

For Local Organizations, a Pittsburgh MSP is a Gamechanger

Partnering with a Pittsburgh MSP like Ceeva offers distinct advantages for businesses and nonprofit organizations in the region. Local expertise, innovative processes, scalability options, and quick on-site support can enhance IT infrastructure. Plus, in a world that continues to get less andless secure and dominated by corporations, the power of local innovative businesses is underrated.

Don’t spend your valuable time waiting on hold for IT help.

It’s worth knowing the full picture, and the decision to partner with aPittsburgh MSP should align with your organization’s specific IT needs and growth strategy. Evaluate your needs carefully and ask your shortlistedMSPs questions to highlight the level of IT support they will provide you.

Want to learn more? We treat our clients like our neighbors – because they are. Let’s talk about your IT support needs –contact Ceeva today!