1 April 2025

Protect your reputation, strengthen your IT environment

IT teams do more than just manage technology, they’re the backbone of business operations, ensuring security, efficiency, and seamless collaboration across hybrid teams. But with so much on their plate, staying ahead can feel impossible. Microsoft 365 is a game-changer, but only if it’s managed effectively.

With so many competing priorities, it’s easy for things to slip through the cracks. In fact, 64% of respondents in Gartner’s 2023 Microsoft 365 Survey identified inadequate support and governance as major risks to their Microsoft 365 setup.

Without the right time, resources, or expertise, Microsoft 365 can become more of a headache than a help. And when IT struggles, the entire business feels the impact.

So, how can an MSP (Managed Service Provider) step in and ease the burden? Let’s break down the biggest Microsoft 365 challenges and why outsourcing to a specialist provider could be the best decision IT leaders make.

The biggest challenges in Microsoft 365 management

IT support bottlenecks

Reliable IT support is critical to employee productivity and satisfaction. But here’s the problem:

Only 45% of Microsoft 365 users in a recent Gartner report felt confident their organisation had the right support model in place
Overstretched IT teams struggle to keep up with employee requests, causing delays and frustration
When support is slow or inconsistent, trust in IT is lost, and that can lead to higher staff turnover and increased recruitment costs

If IT teams are stuck firefighting rather than driving innovation, the business and IT’s reputation will suffer.

Security gaps & siloed working

While Microsoft 365 comes with robust security features, cyber threats are evolving fast. Relying on default settings simply isn’t enough.

Poor security configurations during setup can leave businesses exposed
Many IT teams operate in silos, meaning security, compliance, and governance aren’t fully aligned
Without a clear security strategy, businesses face risks like data breaches, compliance violations, and regulatory penalties

Scaling without stress

As businesses grow, their Microsoft 365 environment must scale with them. The platform is designed to be flexible, but navigating Microsoft’s complex licensing structure can be overwhelming. And IT teams often lack the time and expertise to balance daily operations with long-term planning.

Without expert guidance, businesses risk overspending on unnecessary licences or ending up with an inefficient setup.

Why IT leaders are turning to MSPs

With so many challenges, it’s no surprise that IT leaders are choosing to outsource to a MSPs for specialist Microsoft 365 support. Why? A smarter, more secure setup from day one.

A managed Microsoft 365 provider helps businesses:

Configure Microsoft 365 correctly from the start
Tailor settings to meet specific business needs
Set up user accounts, email domains, and security controls the right way
Continuously monitor the system to detect and prevent risks before they become problems

Free up time & protect IT’s reputation.

An MSP gives IT teams the breathing room they need by offering:

24/7 expert technical support for faster issue resolution
Ongoing management and optimisation, freeing internal IT teams to focus on high-impact projects
Automation and zero-touch models to reduce manual workloads and improve efficiency

Scalable support that grows with you

Business needs change, and Microsoft 365 must keep pace. An MSP helps IT teams stay ahead by:

Making licensing cost-efficient and fit-for-purpose
Defining clear governance and security policies
Managing technical rollouts and seamless migrations

Take Mota-Engil Group, for example. They needed to migrate 8,000 mailboxes and onboard 4,000 new Teams users.

By partnering with Claranet, they:

Streamlined their licensing structure
Strengthened their security and governance framework
Achieved a smooth and secure migration without disruption

Power up IT integrity with Claranet

Claranet is trusted by businesses worldwide to optimise Microsoft 365 for security, efficiency, and productivity.

Our expertise includes:

Microsoft-certified professionals with deep technical knowledge
Full configuration, security, licensing, and management support
A fully managed service, allowing IT teams to focus on strategy while we handle the day-to-day

With Claranet, businesses can expect a smooth Microsoft 365 experience, improved employee satisfaction, and a stronger IT reputation.