How to Evaluate if Managed IT Services Suit Your Real Estate Business

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How to Evaluate if Managed IT Services Suit Your Real Estate Business
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Technology has become a cornerstone for businesses, playing a crucial role across industries, including real estate. Whether managing property listings, ensuring seamless communication with clients, or safeguarding sensitive data such as mortgage applications, IT solutions are integral to modern real estate operations. However, keeping up with the ever-evolving IT landscape can be daunting. Many businesses, lacking technical expertise and overwhelmed by the variety of options, often overspend on IT without clearly distinguishing between essential investments, luxuries, and redundancies.

This challenge is particularly pronounced for small-to-midsize businesses (SMBs), including real estate agencies. Unlike larger corporations with expansive budgets to sustain in-house IT teams, SMBs often face significant hurdles in maintaining efficient IT operations. For businesses of all sizes, reducing costs and enhancing efficiency remain priorities. This is where outsourcing IT functions can provide a win-win solution, saving time and money while boosting productivity.

What Are Managed IT Services?

Managed IT services involve outsourcing the management of various IT-related tasks, ranging from hardware maintenance and network security to cloud computing and storage. For real estate businesses, this can mean robust customer relationship management (CRM) systems, secure handling of client data, and streamlined communications for remote teams or agents working in the field. Examples include external helpdesk support, outsourced CIO services, disaster recovery planning, and backup solutions. For businesses with limited technical knowledge, even overlooking something as basic as antivirus updates can expose them to potential cyberattacks, disrupting operations, jeopardizing data security, and damaging reputation.

IT requirements differ across businesses; there’s no universal approach that fits all. According to Deloitte’s latest Tech Trends report, maintaining in-house IT roles can consume up to 70% of a company’s IT budget, primarily to keep critical systems operational. For real estate agencies managing extensive client databases and digital property platforms, this traditional model is often unsustainable. Managed IT services not only offer cost savings but also provide access to expert knowledge that may not be available in-house.

Getting Started with Managed IT Services

For companies beginning their journey toward IT outsourcing, starting small can be a practical approach. Rather than committing to comprehensive solutions immediately, businesses can explore specific, modular services.

For example, real estate firms might outsource cloud infrastructure management to streamline document sharing for property listings and legal agreements. This allows agencies to focus on delivering exceptional customer service while routine tasks such as software updates or antivirus protection are handled by a Managed Service Provider (MSP). Contracting an MSP for one or two essential functions is often a cost-effective first step, relieving internal teams of time-consuming technical responsibilities.

The Pros and Cons of MSPs

In today’s challenging economic climate, maintaining a lean and adaptable business structure is essential. Managed IT services offer several advantages, but they also have limitations.

Advantages
MSPs can provide better cost control and enhanced risk management. For real estate agencies, this means secure data storage for sensitive client information, faster response times for inquiries, and improved access to cutting-edge tools like virtual tour platforms or property analytics. Access to state-of-the-art IT solutions can enhance customer experiences, fostering loyalty and driving referrals.

Disadvantages
However, not all MSPs offer local support, which may result in delays for hardware-related issues requiring on-site assistance. Additionally, some MSPs may not support all the software and hardware your business relies on, potentially limiting their effectiveness. Larger MSPs may also prioritize high-volume clients, making personalized service less likely.

The Bottom Line

With over 40% of cyberattacks targeting SMBs and many affected businesses failing within six months, managed IT services present a compelling solution for reducing costs while safeguarding operations. For real estate businesses handling sensitive data and managing customer trust, the stakes are especially high. Even if outsourcing isn’t the right choice for your company, staying vigilant about potential threats and prioritizing cybersecurity is non-negotiable.

If you’re a small-to-midsize real estate business in Chicago looking to enhance your IT operations, ITRegulators is here to help. Specializing in IT support tailored for SMBs, they provide comprehensive solutions that align with your business needs, whether it’s managing your cloud infrastructure, bolstering cybersecurity, or handling day-to-day IT tasks. As a trusted partner for businesses in Chicago, they offer expert guidance to help you reduce costs, improve efficiency, and safeguard your operations against evolving threats. Whether you’re starting small or need a fully managed IT solution, they ensure you stay ahead in today’s competitive technological landscape.

 

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