

Publish Date
24/10/2023
Categories
Blogs
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face unique IT challenges compared to larger corporations, that can significantly impact their operations, growth, and competitiveness. These challenges range from budget constraints to cybersecurity threats and everything in between.
Fortunately, Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are the advantageous solution. In this blog, we’ll explore five common IT challenges faced by SMBs and how an MSP’s extensive offerings of solutions can solve them.
A large challenge faced by SMBs often surrounds tight budgets, leaving little room for substantial IT investments. This limitation often hinders their ability to acquire and maintain advanced technologies, unfortunately leading to inefficiencies and a disadvantage in terms of competitors.
Our Solution: Having a managed service provides cost-effective IT solutions, allowing businesses to access up to date technology without a hefty price tag. With Cobweb, you can stretch your IT budget further and invest in the right tools to drive growth – there’s no taking last place this time!
As cyber attacks continue to rise, SMBs are becoming more attractive targets for hackers as they are usually less protected when it comes to security. This challenge is particularly difficult for SMBs to overcome, as they often lack the resources and expertise to establish robust cyber security measures, making them highly vulnerable to data breaches and financial losses.
Our Solution: A Cobweb Managed Service includes top-notch cyber security solutions. Our experts keep your systems secure, monitor for threats, and provide proactive 24/7 protection. With Cobweb, you can safeguard your data and your customer’s trust, letting them know that their privacy is one of your top priorities.
SMBs often have small or non-existent internal IT teams. This lack of in-house expertise can lead to longer response times for IT issues (which are often reactive), increased downtime (of your systems), and hindered business operations.
Our Solution: Cobweb becomes your extended IT team. Our 24/7 support ensures rapid issue resolution and minimal downtime, meaning you stay efficient and ahead of the game. Whether it’s troubleshooting, updates, or strategic planning, our experts are here to keep your IT systems running smoothly.
It’s obvious all SMBs aspire to grow, but scaling IT infrastructure can often get in the way of expanding your team. Traditional setups won’t easily adapt to business expansion, meaning operational bottlenecks are a further disadvantage for SMBs.
Our Solution: Cobweb’s Managed Services are specifically designed with scalability in mind. As your business grows, we seamlessly adjust our services to match your evolving needs. You won’t have to worry about outgrowing your IT capabilities!
Data is a critical asset, but many SMBs lack comprehensive backup and recovery strategies, which is a worry in terms of GDPR practices. In the event of data loss or a disaster, the ability to recover quickly is crucial, and you shouldn’t want your response to be reactive as it may lead to more extensive issues such as a lack of control (and as we all know, that’s any decision makers’ worst nightmare!).
Our Solution: A managed service includes the latest backup and disaster recovery solutions. Your data (and most importantly, your customers’) is regularly backed up, with proactive recovery plans in place to ensure minimal disruption in case of unforeseen events.
Cobweb’s Managed Services are tailored to address the specific challenges that SMBs face in the IT landscape. At Cobweb we like to see our business partnerships based on trust, dedicated to growing their many successes. With over 27 years’ experience partnering with SMBs and their cloud journey, we understand that each challenge is unique. So, yes, we get it. Sounds too good to be true? It’s not! Just give us a call!
Your Team, Extended.
Publish Date
06/10/2023
Categories
Blogs Hot Topic
As it’s #CyberSecurityAwarenessMonth, it’s important to remind ourselves about keeping informed about the latest scam attacks. In today’s digital age, even the most cautious individuals can fall victim to online threats. With the ever-evolving landscape of technology, staying safe online is a continuous learning process. So, let’s delve into some of the recent cyber threats you should be aware of…
The advancement of artificial intelligence has introduced a whole new world, which of course, leaves many of us sceptical. Scammers are now using AI to mimic human voices, to make phone calls appear as though they’re from a loved one in need of help. The caller typically requests for money. It can be difficult in the spur of the moment when you hear a loved one at need, but it’s important you stop and think. A good practice to have is to establish a safety word or phrase with your family to verify their identity during such calls.
Scammers have elevated their tactics by manipulating email content. They replace standard ‘a’ characters with what is known as a Cyrillic ‘a’, making it difficult to spot fake emails. These deceptive messages are often overlooked and contain malicious links or attachments, which can compromise your device. To not fall into the ‘Cyrillic’ trap, it’s best to double check each letter in an unknown email address to detect such tricks. See if you can spot the Cyrillic ‘a’ below in the example shown.
Phishing scams have taken a new twist by incorporating innocent-looking QR codes as their latest weapon. These QR codes often arrive in emails disguised as messages from say HR or your manager, directing the victim to a fraudulent login page. The goal is to steal sensitive credentials for malicious purposes. To stay safe, only scan QR codes from trusted sources or individuals you can 100% verify.
Scammers have become so sophisticated that they send emails seemingly originating from legitimate PayPal addresses. These emails are for ‘money requests’ and claim to be from either HMRC or PayPal themselves stating your account is compromised. The included phone numbers connect to the scammers themselves who follow the storyline. Stay safe by not paying unfamiliar invoices and never calling numbers provided in these suspicious emails. Instead, contact the company directly through official channels to verify any claims.
The Solution:
Protecting your business and customer data should be a top priority. However, managing cybersecurity threats can be daunting, especially when you have a million and one other responsibilities. The good news is there are multiple software solutions available to strengthen your devices. These include data backup solutions, email security tools, and partnering with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) who handle all your security and compliance needs.
Consider an MSP like Cobweb to bolster your cybersecurity efforts. With our expertise and solutions, you can double down on protecting your digital doors. Get in touch with one of our team today to discuss how our security solutions will bolster your business.
Publish Date
19/09/2023
Categories
Blogs
Balancing the diverse responsibilities as a key decision maker in a business can be overwhelming. Managing teams, expanding departments, and nurturing customer relationships no doubt demands constant attention. Amidst these, the rapidly changing realm of technology often, unfortunately, takes a backseat. This is where a Managed Service Provider (MSP) steps in, to alleviate the IT burden, allowing decision makers to concentrate on their core activities, and ensures proactive support.
Shifting from traditional IT models to an MSP partnership is a highly strategic move. Beyond basic management, MSPs deliver solutions and optimise your infrastructure, revolutionising the business’s digital landscape.
At Cobweb, we elevate our service by tailoring solutions to your short- and long-term goals. As your IT operates seamlessly in the background, we can help you navigate your IT roadmap, while your employees are empowered with the latest technology, ensuring they possess the tools required for peak performance.
While MSPs remotely oversee your IT, real-time in-house issues can arise. With an MSP at your side, 24/7 support becomes your safety net. Vigilant monitoring ensures that concerns are addressed before they escalate to major issues, allowing you to channel your efforts where they’re most impactful.
For productivity to be successful, effective budgeting is paramount. Simplify your budgets by embracing an MSP solution. The alternative of expanding your in-house IT team entails high costs and the challenge of continuous training and updates. Contrast that with the cost-effective approach of partnering with an MSP – you’re only having to pay a small fee each month!
Cyber attackers often target businesses with weaker cybersecurity measures. With an MSP, your digital defences are strengthened, deterring potential attackers and minimising cyber risks.
At Cobweb, our expertise extends to crafting a robust cyber-protection strategy. With your cyber concerns managed, you can confidently channel your energies into the core aspects of your business!
In an era defined by technological advancement, embracing it is not optional but essential. Cobweb’s solutions will empower your business to thrive in the digital age.
As the business landscape evolves, Cobweb stands as an ally in your journey. We understand the challenges decision makers face and offer solutions that amplify your efficiency and success. Embrace the digital transformation with Cobweb as your partner and reach out today to embark on a journey of growth and innovation!
Your Team, Extended.
Publish Date
12/09/2023
Categories
Blogs
Navigating business spending can be challenging. After all, outsourcing can be a pricey venture. But in the realm of IT, where technology is ever changing, investing in an MSP and IT management can prove beneficial. The best part? It’s surprisingly affordable and won’t strain your budget as you might expect.
Here are 5 compelling reasons why an MSP is not only cost-effective but also a long-term money saver:
Like any business, one of your key goals will be to grow. And to grow, your team needs expanding, which is demanding when it comes to budgets, especially in IT. Technical skills come at a premium price, yet with an MSP, your IT team doesn’t need to worry about in-house expansion. They can focus on growing the company while our experts manage the day-to-day. Scaling up becomes fast and seamless, all for a manageable monthly investment.
To outpace competitors, staying tech-savvy is vital. But new tools and training takes time and can cost a lot of money. Without continuous learning:
Outsourcing to an MSP tackles these issues, at a fraction of the cost if you were to do it yourself.
Balancing various job responsibilities can occasionally challenge your internal IT team. However, by outsourcing to an MSP, you can alleviate these complexities, allowing your IT team to focus on strategic and productive objectives.
Partnering with an MSP grants access to an extended cybersecurity team. As phishing attacks and ransomware accelerate, it’s integral to invest in cybersecurity. But a full-time security hire isn’t always feasible. Imagine the cost if your business suffered a breach? With 43% of all data breaches involving SMBs, suddenly the economic viability of an MSP seems even more inviting.
Budgeting seems a smooth process until an unforeseen IT expense crops up. MSPs provide stability through predictable monthly costs and flexible services as well as helping avoid those situations.
Outsourcing IT with an MSP isn’t just a smart move, it’s a successful financial strategy. At Cobweb, we craft tailored solutions on a personal level. We like companies to see us as an extension of their team and help drive their success.
Connect with us at Cobweb today to start your MSP partnership!
Your Team, Extended.
Recent Comments