Incorporating Managed IT Plus Hardware-as-a-Service (Haas) Into Your Business

If your company is just starting, then you know how expensive servers and computers can be. Getting your network and every workstation set up is a big project. Sometimes it takes a week or more to get cabling installed and configure routers, so everything is connected properly. 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 these needs and gives you a better option. It’s called Managed IT Services plus Hardware-as-a-Service (HaaS). With this service model, you can rent all or part of your hardware.

HaaS includes things like computers, routers, servers, and other equipment. It can save a new company a lot of money during their start-up phase because IT equipment is one of the most significant expenditures. Also, monthly payments for HaaS equipment are considered operating expenses under the tax code instead of capital expenses.

HaaS is similar to leasing equipment. In grid computing, HaaS is a pay-as-you-go model. Your Managed Service Provider will own the equipment, and you’ll rent it back from them. They will come out and install everything and will be responsible for taking care of it if you choose this option.

This frees you and your team up to focus on other things. You won’t need an in-house IT department. Many businesses can get by without hiring techs, while others hire one person to handle daily tasks like setting up workstations for new employees.

Who’s Responsible For Maintenance?

When choosing the Managed IT Services HaaS model, the stress of purchasing and setting up IT equipment is eliminated, as are problems associated with it. And, you’ll always have the most current hardware.

Any time you have problems with your IT equipment, the responsibility for repairs or replacement falls to the Managed IT Services provider. Let’s say a server breaks down, quits working, and can’t be fixed. Your Managed Service Provider will be responsible for purchasing and installing a new server. They’ll set it up and configure it. Your employees won’t be inconvenienced, and your workflow barely affected.

What Technology Is Available With HaaS?

There are six types of technology you 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, the number of employees, and other factors. You’ll have the best equipment to help your workforce get more done each day.
  2. Virtualization Technologies: For a monthly fee, you can virtualize your desktops and servers to run on hosted hardware provided by your Managed Service Provider. You won’t need to purchase or install new computers and can utilize less expensive local clients or connect remotely to your desktop. With virtualization, 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 for 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. It’s quick and scalable. When leasing a server, either physical on-premises or virtual in the Cloud, file sharing is faster with HaaS.
  5. Switches and Routers: Computers use these devices to efficiently communicate and route data within your network 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 group on your network. The days of using unmanaged switches throughout your network are gone. Your provider can help you select and configure the right switch to remove any barriers to performance.
  6. Storage Devices: Your shared and saved files, storage, and backups must be secured. When your storage appliance runs out of space, that’s when networks or computers grind to a screeching halt. When deploying a storage appliance with your Managed Service Provider, your business needs are analyzed, and storage space is scalable and optimized for your needs so this won’t happen.

What Benefits Can HaaS Bring To Your Business?

Now that HaaS is mainstream, it’s now possible for small and mid-sized businesses to reduce hardware costs and ease their budgets dramatically. It has also given these same organizations immediate access to the best technology. You no longer need to look for deals on outdated or legacy equipment.

Other than those immediate benefits, there are 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 office space. Instead of sinking money into new devices, the company gets back valuable office space while getting the most current 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 will benefit your business. When it’s time to remove the equipment, the provider takes care of everything.
  3. Reduced Capital Expense: HaaS bundled packages allow business owners to conserve capital. With additional cash flow, they can 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: When your Managed Service Provider uses powerful firewalls, virus scanning technology, updates patches and provides continuous maintenance, your organization, and hardware are safe from cyber threats. When utilizing HaaS, concerns about the security of your hardware are eliminated.

For more information regarding managed IT plus Haas, click here to get in touch with one of our experts or call (978) 528-0110 today!

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