If there is a concern that small businesses have been grappling with is that of whether to outsource or not to outsource IT support. Well, here is the thing, outsourcing IT services is an ever-increasing practice that has gained popularity, especially among small businesses. If you find that your business is spending too much time and resources managing computers, servers, email accounts, telephones, printers, just to name a few, it’s high time you considered getting external help from highly qualified professionals. Managing an IT department can’t be easy, but these professionals relieve your business from the stress of having to deal with IT problems.
Moreover, outsourcing IT support allows small businesses to focus more on their core business operations rather than using up all their time and valuable resources trying to resolve IT issues. In essence, you will be able to focus on activities that directly impact your business’s growth. However, despite how beneficial outsourcing could be, of course, there are tasks that you should never outsource to a third party as it might be more harmful than helpful.
What tasks should you outsource then?
Well, here are some of the most crucial ones;
IT infrastructure
Outsourcing equipment such as network systems, hardware, and servers to an IT infrastructure provider can certainly save you a lot of money in terms of costs and labor. Constructing IT infrastructure for a business is neither cheap nor easy, and will require not only huge chunks of money to purchase and house the equipment, but it will also need to be maintained by highly skilled personnel. So, by outsourcing the services, you will cut on costs, given that the service provider is the one who is responsible for installing, running, and maintaining the systems. You will just pay on a subscription or per-use basis.
Cloud hosting
Cloud computing ensures that you access business information from any location, anytime, through a compatible device. However, hosting a cloud system in-house is a lot of work and quite expensive as well, and if the technology runs out of date, could pose some serious security risks. So, by outsourcing the services, you will focus on using the systems rather than maintaining them.
Cybersecurity
With online threats so commonplace, it is critical to ensure that you protect your data and IT systems against cybercriminals. To guarantee maximum security, you will need to leave your IT security to cybersecurity experts, skilled in anticipating and mitigating security threats. They will add an extra layer of protection that would protect your business against disasters, and also help you resolve issues quickly.
So, what are the benefits of outsourcing IT services?
Reduced IT costs
Now, the top-most reason why small businesses should outsource IT services is that it’s cost-efficient and quite beneficial. Here is the thing, in-house IT teams tend to be expensive to maintain, especially when you take into account salaries, software licenses, hardware expenses, cloud service subscriptions, and other maintenance costs. And if you are running on a tight budget, of course, you can’t take on these kinds of expenses, which is why outsourcing IT services makes so much sense. The price of outsourcing varies with quality and scale, but compared to the cost of running an in-house IT department, it’s way cheaper.
Expertise
An in-house IT support may understand the ins and outs of your business’s systems, but it is the outsourced IT teams who have a much better knowledge of the wider industry technology, given that they have worked on different areas, and have solved a wider variety of IT issues. Moreover, when you invest in a dependable outsourced IT team, you will be harnessing the collective technical experience of some of the best specialists in the industry.
24/7 availability
All competitive, reliable, and reputable IT support firms operate on a 24/7 basis, and that means that there is a team of professionals always ready to attend to you right away, regardless of the time. You cannot rely on an in-house team to be available 24/7, as they will often take breaks, go on holidays, or are just not available. What’s more, the team is prone to so many disruptions, whereas an outsourced team guarantees absolute uptime. So, wouldn’t you prefer a service that guarantees smooth operations provided by a company whose professional reputation is hinged on its promise to you? Think about it!
Security
The truth is, even if you were to have an in-house IT team, unless they specialize in IT security, their efforts will likely put your business data at great risk at some point. However, outsourced IT security teams are much more experienced and qualified to handle any form of digital threat, including hacking. They keep up with the latest and most advanced security tools and methods, and that makes them the best bet when it comes to safeguarding your digital assets.
Trustworthy advice
Running a small business can be lonely, and it’s in fact, in most cases, lonely. But you know, it doesn’t have to be. When you partner with a trustworthy IT support provider, you will have gained a knowledgeable and powerful ally. You will learn a lot on how to best conduct your business, especially on the IT front, and you will also get some valuable insights from them given that they manage many other businesses just like yours.
Scalability
Answer this: what do you think will happen when your business grows or you decide to take operations to the next level? Of course, you will have to scale up IT support, right? Well, now imagine making those plans with an in-house IT team? Given that the team is normally fixed in size and scope, it’s certainly impractical, and it will cost you a lot of money to upgrade. However, when you outsource IT support, you will be leveraging a readily scalable IT solution that has the capability of seamlessly expanding to cover your specific needs, even when your business expands.
Final thought
Always remember this; the IT support provider’s best interest lies entirely in helping your business thrive, as for them to succeed, your business will have to succeed first. So, it’s our hope that considering the above benefits, you now understand why outsourcing IT support is the best decision for your small business. The provider offers bespoke IT solutions that are cost-effective, scalable, and ones’ that empower you to grow. All in all, consider all your options, by weighing all the benefits and the risks, and then do what’s best for your business. We hope that you will make the right decision!
5 responses