(Rick’s Reflection) Managed IT Service Providers: The Benefits for K-12 Educational Institutions

I’ve recently been reflecting on my days at ConnectEDU and the important role of innovation in the future of education. As my children phase out of higher education and get ready to enter the workforce, this issue hits close to home. 

I was particularly drawn to the statistics on how the United States (US) rates globally in K-12 education, ranking 38th in math scores and 24th in science scores. While the US is well regarded for its higher education institutions, the K-12 scores are concerning for the future of US citizens in STEM. Higher education tends to be more proactive in recruiting the best students from around the globe, whereas K-12 is more representative of the domestic population.

This leads me to the critical role of fostering innovation and technology adoption in education (at the earliest stages). At ConnectEDU we securely managed 22 million student logins on the platform, serving as a conduit to new concepts and ideas, which gives me a unique perspective on this topic. In this blog post I will outline the business and subsequently the academic (outcomes) cases for K-12 institutions in adopting digital managed service providers.

So, without further ado…

As a vice principal or decision maker at a K-12 educational institution, you know that reliable, secure, and cost-effective managed IT services are essential for the success of your school. If you’re considering switching to a managed IT service provider, you’re in good company. Many K-12 institutions are making the switch to managed IT services to reap the benefits of enhanced support, expertise, and cost savings.

Benefit #1: Cost Savings

One of the biggest advantages of managed IT services for K-12 institutions is the potential for cost savings. According to a recent survey, schools that use managed IT service providers save an average of 30% on IT costs compared to those that rely on in-house IT staff. 

However, this isn’t a new concept, McKinsey Global Institute (2003) found the United States’ economy to have benefited greatly and significantly from outsourcing. The study explains that outsourcing helps reduce costs for IT and other services by 60%. As more companies have adopted such strategies and in part due to the changing macroeconomic landscape over time, the magnitude of such benefits has decreased. Nonetheless, it’s difficult to ignore the benefits of making such a switch and the detriments of being left behind for those who fail to do so.

This is because managed IT service providers can often offer economies of scale and more efficient and cost-effective solutions. For example, managed IT service providers can help schools implement cloud-based solutions, which can reduce hardware and software costs. In addition, managed IT service providers can help schools negotiate more favorable rates with vendors and service providers. In addition, managed IT service providers often offer flat-rate or subscription-based pricing, which can be more predictable and budget-friendly than hourly billing.

Benefit #2: Improved Security

Cybersecurity is a top concern for K-12 educational institutions, which are often targeted by cybercriminals due to the valuable personal and financial data they hold. Managed IT service providers can help schools improve their security posture and protect against cyber threats.

For example, managed IT service providers can help schools implement security best practices such as multi-factor authentication, secure password policies, and regular software updates. Managed IT service providers can also provide ongoing monitoring and threat detection to help schools identify and respond to potential security threats.

Benefit #3: Enhanced Support and Expertise

Managed IT service providers can offer a higher level of support and expertise compared to in-house IT staff. This is because managed IT service providers have access to a wide range of resources and expertise and can often provide more responsive and comprehensive support.

For example, managed IT service providers can offer 24/7 support, which is especially useful for schools that need IT assistance outside regular business hours. Managed IT service providers can also provide specialized expertise in areas such as cloud computing, data analytics, and cybersecurity.

To sum up, switching to a managed IT service provider can offer K-12 educational institutions a range of benefits, including cost savings, improved security, and enhanced support and expertise. Suppose you’re a vice principal or decision maker at a K-12 institution and are interested in learning more about how managed IT services can benefit your school. We invite you to contact us to learn more and begin your transition to a top managed IT service provider today.

We also welcome your thoughts on this topic in the comments below 👇🏻