There’s a big shortage of IT talent. Countless industries are struggling to hire right now, and the IT sector is no different. In fact, these in-demand folks have a 13% attrition rate due to their employability, according to LinkedIn research. That talent shortage is why organizations might find it a tall order to hire (and retain) an employee not only with basic IT know-how but also specialized talents in the fields of digital transformation, collaboration and cybersecurity. Outsourcing these duties to a trusted MSP can save a business time, money and hassle.

Strategic planning requires time and skill. Companies are busy, and there’s an endless to-do list that demands constant attention. But by working “in” the business rather than focusing on the business dynamic, end-users may simply end up chasing their tails (in other words, scrambling to “keep the lights on” and to maintain IT infrastructure). This cycle drains bandwidth needed to form and execute a long-term IT strategy. Fortunately, this is what MSPs do best: help customers keep their heads above water and prepare them for what’s next.

“Do it yourself” is simply getting too hard. Remember when a modern workplace was defined by email, mobile devices and that pesky photocopier? No longer. Increasingly diversified and complex, technology touches every part of a business — and a company’s in-house IT team has a lot to worry about beyond its network, equipment, applications and storage. Have they weighed public cloud versus hybrid, consolidating software-as-a-service solutions, and implementing tools such as artificial intelligence and robotic process automation? That’s where MSPs that offer advice to understand broader trends and to deploy only the right solutions are most valuable to small businesses.

IT is no longer a sunk cost; it’s an investment in agility. Maintaining strong technology and support is an ongoing task. Businesses can’t just purchase equipment and leave it at that. MSPs help companies invest in the right technology in a way that meets their budgets and their balance sheets (from consumption-based and pay-as-you-go fees to a flat, recurring rate) so these IT expenses are more transparent and palatable. Smart MSPs will also be able to identify critical add-ons for data governance and backup, among other things, and break down the costs and benefits for leadership to justify the expense.

MSPs’ crowdsourced wisdom benefits everyone. There’s strength in numbers. That means MSPs serving multiple clients with diverse needs and experiences can apply the evolving intelligence and best practices across their entire customer base. And to avoid “reinventing the wheel” each time, MSPs may develop specialized software integrations and workflows with an existing client — or create user guides, training materials, and policies and permissions documentation. Leveraging shared wisdom allows an MSP to work more efficiently and to ensure business needs are not only met but exceeded.