What is a managed service provider and how could your Gloucestershire business benefit from one?

Located on Oriel Road in the centre of Cheltenham, ReformIT has spent the past 25 years helping Gloucestershire businesses manage their IT systems. From micro businesses with just a handful of people to large brands with multiple offices across the country, ReformIT has managed it all.

SoGlos sits down with Sarah Smith, marketing and operations director, to find out all about the firm's core services and what it can do for businesses across all sectors and sizes.

What is the definition of a managed service provider (MSP)?

A managed service provider, or MSP, is a company that looks after your business’s IT systems for you. Think of us as your outsourced IT department — we handle everything from keeping your computers running smoothly to protecting your data and helping your team stay productive. You pay a regular fee and we take care of the rest.

How does an MSP differ from traditional IT support?

Traditional IT support is usually reactive — you only call them when something breaks. An MSP like ReformIT is both proactive and reactive. That means we’re not just waiting for problems to happen — we’re actively working behind the scenes to prevent issues before they start. But if something does go wrong, we’re also there to respond quickly and fix it. So you get the best of both worlds: fewer problems overall and fast help when you need it.

What are the main reasons a business would choose to work with an MSP and what are the benefits?

• Peace of mind: you don’t have to worry about IT anymore.
• Predictable costs: one monthly fee covers everything.
• Better security: we protect your data and systems from cyber threats.
• Less downtime: we keep your systems running smoothly.
• Expert advice: you get access to a whole team of IT professionals without hiring them in-house.

What are the most common issues clients face before they come to you?

Most businesses come to us because they’re dealing with one or more of the following problems:

1. Slow or unreliable systems that frustrate staff and waste time.
2. Security worries, especially around data breaches or ransomware.
3. No clear IT strategy, leading to outdated systems or poor decisions.
4. Too much time spent on IT, taking focus away from running the business.
5. Unresponsive support from their current provider or internal team.

We can help resolve all of these issues and get systems functioning at optimal levels.

How do MSPs support cyber security and data protection for their clients?

We take a layered approach to security, which means we protect your business in several ways. We use antivirus and firewalls to block threats and apply regular updates and patches to close security gaps.

We perform regular backups so your data is safe even if something goes wrong; and we carry out staff training to help your team avoid common scams.

We use 24/7 monitoring to catch issues early; and we also help you stay compliant with data protection laws like GDPR.

How do you tailor your services to meet the specific needs of different industries and businesses?

Every business is different, so we start by listening. We learn how your business works, what tools you use and what challenges you face. Then we build a custom IT plan that fits your goals and budget. Whether you’re in finance, healthcare, construction or retail, we make sure your IT supports your day-to-day operations and long-term growth.

Can you give us an example of one of your best success stories?

One of our clients, a growing recruitment company with multiple branches across the UK, came to us with constant IT issues, such as slow systems, lost files and security concerns.

We stepped in, upgraded their systems, moved them to the cloud and put proper security in place. Within weeks, their team was working faster, safer and with far less stress.

They are still growing and with each new branch they know they can scale their IT with no headaches.