Reliable, efficient, and secure technology is necessary for law firms to provide their clients with excellent service. But it is not necessary – or even advisable – for small and midsized law firms to manage their IT themselves. Unlike their larger counterparts, small and midsized law firms simply do not have the resources to properly build, optimize, support, and defend an enterprise-level IT system.
By partnering with a good managed IT service provider (MSP), you gain the expertise and capability of an entire in-house IT department, which frees your firm up to focus on what you do best: providing your clients with trusted legal counsel and representation.
What MSPs Offer
Law firms partner with MSPs for some or all of their IT needs, which can include infrastructure management, security services, applications management, cloud services, technical support, and business continuity services, among others. MSPs typically charge law firms a monthly per-user rate for the services they use.
More Reliable Technology
Having an MSP administer, support, and monitor your firm’s networks, servers, PCs, and applications will bolster the performance and security of your entire system. With today’s trend toward hybrid workplaces, your technology must function optimally and securely beyond the walls of your offices, and MSPs have the expertise to make that happen.
A good MSP will monitor your system 24x7x365 to detect potential IT and security issues and rapidly deploy resources to address them. This means fewer interruptions, so your attorneys can provide clients with the responsive service they demand.
More Efficient Processes
Your MSP can help you implement applications that streamline processes, ultimately enhancing your firm’s efficiency and productivity. Integrating applications such as document management, time and billing, and case management software reduces the need to input data more than once, allowing your attorneys and staff to seamlessly share information across multiple platforms. When your applications are managed by an MSP, the provider will handle all software updates and security patches, further enhancing productivity by ensuring you are always working on the most up-to-date versions.
Enhanced Security
The ever-growing sophistication of cybercriminals puts all companies at increasing risk for a cyberattack. But data breaches can be particularly disastrous for law firms, which are ethically and legally responsible for protecting confidential client information. MSPs have the resources and expertise to provide more comprehensive cybersecurity than a small or midsized law firm can accomplish on its own. Good MSPs employ defensive measures with multilayered security features to safeguard your systems, including 24x7x365 monitoring, anti-virus, anti-malware, patch and security updates, strong passwords, multi-factor authentication (MFA), security audits, and security training for your team.
Augmented Backup and Disaster Recovery
In the event your physical offices are damaged by a fire, flood, hurricane, or other catastrophic events, all law firms must have a fail-safe backup system in place so they can access their data remotely and continue servicing their clients. MSPs are experts in backup and business continuity services. A good MSP will automatically back up all your files and have redundant systems that safely store your data offsite in more than one location. Good MSPs also have the know-how to quickly restore access to critical databases, specific files, and entire systems as needed to get you back up and running with minimal interruption.
Scalability and Cost Effectiveness
Working with an MSP gives your firm access to a deep bench of IT expertise without having to hire multiple professionals. As MSPs charge a per-user rate per month, you can choose from a menu of services and easily scale up or down as your needs evolve over time. This model means you are never stuck paying for extra services that you no longer need, allowing you to invest those funds in your firm.
Tabush Group is a leading provider of managed IT services for small and midsized law firms. To learn more about how our state-of-the-art IT solutions can make your firm’s operations more efficient and secure, contact us.