IT investments should do more than just keep the lights on — they should drive real business impact. But without a clear way to measure ROI, it’s tough to know if your managed services are pulling their weight. At Crimson IT, we help companies like yours turn IT from a cost center into a performance engine, backed by data, efficiency, and long-term value.
What we mean by ROI in IT
When we talk about return on investment, we’re not just referring to dollars in and dollars out. ROI in IT is about whether your technology is actually helping your business work smarter, move faster, and stay secure.
Sure, you can plug numbers into a formula:
ROI = (Net Benefits – Total Costs) ÷ Total Costs × 100
But the real value shows up when your team spends less time fighting tech fires and more time driving the business forward. A reliable IT strategy isn’t just about lowering costs. It’s about creating more opportunities.
Plus, while it’s easy to calculate the cost (just refer to your MSP’s invoices) but how do we extrapolate the net benefit? Read on for some of our insider tips.
What’s really at stake
When you outsource IT without knowing how to measure success, you risk paying for services that don’t actually move your business forward. Here’s where ROI really proves its worth:
- You don’t just pay for tools — you pay for outcomes.
- That includes faster issue resolution, smarter infrastructure choices, and more uptime across the board.
- Downtime doesn’t just frustrate — it costs you.
- Every hour your systems are offline can mean delayed revenue, missed opportunities, and unhappy clients.
- Security isn’t a checklist — it’s protection for your entire business.
- A strong security posture lowers your financial risk while building trust with your customers.
- You need transparency — not just a monthly invoice.
- A reliable partner should help you track performance, adapt strategies, and adjust for changing needs.
How strong ROI shows up
The most valuable outcomes are often the ones that don’t scream for attention. Here’s how you know your IT investment is working:
- Costs down, output up
You’re spending smarter, with fewer surprises, and seeing more efficiency in return. - Growth-ready systems
Whether you’re adding headcount, locations, or new services, your infrastructure keeps pace. - Proactive fixes, not reactive fire drills
Issues are handled before your team even notices them. - Clear alignment with business goals
Your IT supports what you’re trying to build, not the other way around.
A quick guide to calculating managed IT ROI
We take a structured approach to help you see exactly where value is being created.
1. Tally up all costs — seen and unseen
Direct costs: Your monthly or annual service fees
Indirect costs: Downtime, internal IT payroll, reactive fixes, and security gaps
TCO (Total Cost of Ownership): Hardware, licenses, software, and long-term maintenance
2. Add up the benefits — both measurable and strategic
Tangible benefits: Lower IT overhead, added revenue from better uptime
Intangible gains: Smoother customer experiences, employee productivity, stronger compliance posture
3. Crunch the numbers
Net Benefits = Total Benefits – Total Costs
Then plug into the ROI formula:
ROI (%) = (Net Benefits ÷ Total Costs) × 100
4. Monitor and adjust regularly
IT’s value should increase over time, not flatline. We provide clear reporting so you can refine what’s working and cut what isn’t.
Anyone can give you a report. We give you strategy. Our teams prioritize what actually matters to your business, not just what looks good on a spreadsheet. We build SLAs that reflect your real goals, and we optimize your stack over time to keep pace with change.