How Does Managed IT + Hardware as a Service Work?

Managed IT + Hardware as a Service

If you’re a new company just starting out, then you know how expensive servers and computers can be. Getting all your Internet set up for every workstation is a big project. Sometimes it takes a week to get all that cabling done and configure those routers so that everything is connected to the network. It’s not just expensive; it can also be stressful and time-consuming.

What is Hardware as a Service (HaaS)?

There’s a new IT business model that addresses those needs and gives you some better options. It’s called Managed IT Services plus Hardware-as-a-Service (HaaS). In this service model, your business can rent all or part of their hardware. That includes things like computers, routers, servers and other equipment. That can save a new company lots of money during their start-up phase because your IT equipment is one of your biggest expenditures. In addition, the monthly payments on the equipment are considered operating expenses under the tax code instead of capital expenses.

HaaS is similar to licensing or leasing equipment. In grid computing, HaaS is a pay-as-you-go model. Your Managed Service Provider will own all the equipment and you’ll rent it back from them. They will come out and install everything and they will be responsible for taking care of it if you choose this option in your service level agreement. This frees you and your team up to focus on other things. You don’t even really need an in-house IT department. Many businesses can get by without one, while others go ahead and hire one person to do daily jobs like setting up workstations for new employees.

Who’s Responsible for Maintenance?

Anytime you have problems with your IT equipment, the responsibility for repairs or replacement falls to the provider. Let’s say a server simply breaks down, quits working and can not be fixed. Your Managed Service Provider is responsible to purchase and install a new server. They’ll set it up and configure it. Your employees will not be inconvenienced and your workflow will hardly be interrupted.

When a company chooses the Managed IT Services HaaS model, they have a lot less stress to deal with. All IT problems are virtually eliminated. And, you always have the most current hardware.

What Technology Is Available As Hardware-as-a-Service?

There are six types of technology that business owners can select when opting for the HaaS business model.

1. Dedicated Computers – Your Managed Service Provider will help you locate, purchase and install the type of computers that your business will best benefit from. They will take into consideration your computing needs, number of employees and other factors like this. You can get the best equipment so your workforce can get more done each day.
2. Virtualization Technologies – For a monthly fee, you can virtualize your desktops and servers to run on hosted or hardware provided by your Managed Service Provider. You won’t need to purchase or install new computers for your network but can utilize less expensive local clients or simply connect remotely to your desktop. With virtualization, now you can operate multiple virtual machines or operating systems on the equipment you already own with software that allows your desktops and servers to be easily portable to new hardware or cloud environments.
3. Firewalls – Security threats will never end, and an outdated firewall leads to security compliance issues. With cybersecurity a high priority, firewalls for HaaS have grown in demand and popularity, especially when preventing unwanted malware from entering a computer’s system.
4. File Servers – File transfer equipment allows for instant file communication between two or more parties in a company. It’s quick and scalable. When leasing a server, either physical on-premises or virtual in the cloud, the file sharing is at faster speeds with HaaS.
5. Switches and Routers – Computers use these devices to efficiently communicate and route data within your business and internet connected devices. To run at the best speeds, smart switches and routers are used to route traffic quickly to the correct device, user or private groups on your network. The days of using unmanaged switches that blast to all of your network are gone. Your provider can help you select and configure the right switch to help remove any barriers to performance.
6. Storage Devices – There are shared and saved files, storage, and backups that must be secured. When your storage appliance runs out of data storing space, that’s when networks or computers grind to a sceeching halt. When deploying a storage appliance with your Managed Service Provider, your business needs are analyzed and storage space is scalable and optimized for storage speed needs.

How Can HaaS Improve Your Business?

Now that HaaS is mainstream, it has made it possible for the small and mid-size business market to reduce IT hardware costs and ease their budgets dramatically. It has also given these same groups immediate access to the best technology. You don’t have to worry about looking for great deals on old, outdated, or legacy equipment.

What Other Benefits Are There?

Below we’ve listed four significant benefits you’ll enjoy when you switch over to Hardware-as-a-Service:

1. More Physical Space in the Office – When a company has sizeable and outdated hardware on premises that needs upgrading, that old equipment can easily take up vast amounts of physical office space. Instead of sinking money into new devices, the company gets back valuable office space while getting the most recent technologies.
2. Ease of Use and Flexibility – When the Managed Service Provider implements, maintains, updates, and manages your hardware, your IT person gains back a significant amount of time. They can focus on other activities that could benefit your business. When it’s time to have the equipment removed, the provider takes it out.
3. Reduced Capital Expense – HaaS bundled packages allow business owners to conserve capital. With additional cash flow, the business can turn around and invest in other areas. HaaS services may qualify as Operating Costs reducing those high tax rates for purchasing on-premises equipment. Please check with your accountant for any tax advice.
4. Security –With the provider using powerful firewalls, virus scanning technology, updating patches and continuous maintenance, your organization and the hardware devices in use are safe from cyber threats. When utilizing HaaS, concern about the security of your hardware is eliminated.

Looking for a New Managed IT Provider in Raleigh Durham?

Hardware as a Service might be exactly what your company needs to reduce IT costs and improve productivity. Outsourcing your IT support can bring benefits that boost your staff’s efficiency and lighten your workload.

CSP, Inc. can explain how Managed IT + Hardware-as-a-Service could be a game changer for your business. We provide IT services and IT support for Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Wake Forest, and surrounding area businesses.

Learn more on how Managed IT Services can help your business.
Discover the best IT Company suited for your business.