If you aren't familiar with the term Managed Network Services, it may seem like just more technical jargon to decipher. But as a business owner or office manager, taking the time to understand MNS and its potential impact on your company is well worth the effort.

What does Managed Network Services mean?

In short, MNS refers to the shifting of IT responsibilities, including printer fleet management, to an outside source. MNS providers take on the task of monitoring, managing and resolving IT-related operations for companies.

Why would we want to outsource our network?

The reasons for partnering with a MNS provider may vary depending on the size and focus of your business. The deciding factor often boils down to a significant return on investment, but there are several considerations along the way:

• MNS partners provide proactive solutions. A full assessment of your network and equipment is the first step of the process. Once any necessary adjustments or upgrades have been implemented, your MNS provider will constantly monitor your system to detect and resolve any issues quickly. You should experience better performance, minimal downtime and fewer missteps.

• Your business will be able to predictably budget anything involving your IT system. First of all, the terms of your MNS contract should be crystal clear — a trusted partner won't have hidden fees or surprise upcharges. Secondly, there shouldn't be any surprises with your equipment or associated supplies. During the assessment, your hardware will be given the seal of approval and will continue to be constantly monitored. Your MNS partner will stay ahead of any expenses so that you can stay within your planned budget.

• Financial savings are a cornerstone of any MNS agreement. Having a predictable budget contributes a great deal to ROI, as does less employee downtime. Business News Daily offers some examples of how the expertise of a MNS partner can prove invaluable. It explains that companies need to regularly create backups of data. Falling behind can create serious security issues with irreparable damage. Additionally, "if an email server, CRM software or even the entire network goes offline unexpectedly, the business stands to lose money with each hour they remain inaccessible."

• Whether your company maintains in-house IT personnel or not, the accessibility of your MNS experts creates a robust support staff. Your IT and office management can re-direct focus to your actual business, rather than IT or printer issues. CIO.com interviewed Carolyn April, senior director of Industry Analysis at the industry trade association CompTIA on this subject. In the blog article, Ms. April shared how involving a MNS provider "elevates the IT staff and brings them out of the shadows within the organization. It allows them to focus on a custom app dev project or cloud initiative — something highly strategic. I think that's a win-win for your IT staff."

All these benefits lead to, perhaps, the most important of all – peace of mind. Your managed network service provider will carry the heavy lifting. All the potential issues, emergencies, and routine maintenance related to your IT network will be in expert hands. The best MNS provider will be a true partner for both your internal IT staff and your office management. Understanding the details behind this particular technical phrase is definitely worth the effort.

Optimize the IT network of your SE Michigan business. Email or call Dan Heimler, Sales Director at University Office Technologies, at (734) 434-5900 to implement managed network services at your office.

…I think that's a win-win for your IT staff