One of the most crucial decisions a business owner can make is whether to hire an in-house IT team or outsource its technical functions to an IT provider, like all IT-supported.
When you have the personnel or a team available at your premises for any technical needs that may arise, you have a certain degree of peace of mind. However, your team could be limited to the tools needed for IT support, get exhausted, or even lack the special knowledge needed. In that case, an in-house IT team becomes more of a liability.
However, with outsourcing, you’re able to focus on what you do best as well as let a professional company handle all your technical needs.
Below are a few of the benefits you’ll enjoy when you choose to outsource technicians for your company:
1. Minimized Expenditure
Hiring an in-house technical support team is expensive. IT personnel tend to charge higher rates because of the rarity and complexity of their skill set. Other than the basic salary, you’ll also cover other costs, such as holiday and the coverage fees, to compensate when your IT admin is away.
When you choose to outsource the managed services to an IT company, you avoid these costs and channel the funds towards other business uses. It helps you control monthly expenses, as it only goes up when you add users. This means that you can plan ahead for an increase in expenditure as you plan for expansion and hiring. Hence, instead of having a huge invoice each time you go down or a user needs support, you have a fixed monthly fee.
2. Focus on Key Business
As a business owner, you might face the temptation of doing everything by yourself, especially if your funds and resources are limited. But, you don’t want to be a jack of all trades yet a master of none.
With an in-house IT team, you focus on the management and recruitment of efficient resources to sufficiently equip your team.
When you decide to outsource and have national IT services, however, you and your team dedicate your time and strengths to the business competencies. That way, you maximize the benefits you derive from your talents.
3. Reduced Risk
Every business investment and operation comes with a certain degree of risk. Different factors, like government legislation, competition, markets, technologies, and financial conditions can all change quickly and leave your business at stake. Also, if you plan on implementing state of the art technology, and fail, this will translate to a waste of time and money.
An IT provider reduces all these risks because the company’s trained and experienced technicians have implemented the technologies many times before. Also, it’s the company’s obligation to make sure that the systems are implemented and are running properly. They also install antivirus software, run upgrades, and eliminate any security threats.
Additionally, it’s more difficult to sue an in-house team for negligence than an IT company that has upheld itself professionally.
4. Focus on Strategy
One rule of thumb in business is that you should free up resources to focus on what you do well internally. This is done best by outsourcing non-core functions.
One issue with internal IT departments is that they’re stuck in handling IT management and support. They’re often unable to focus on business continuity, proactive strategy, or technology advancement.
It’s, therefore, best for your business to outsource these functions and direct your time, staff, and resources towards valuable and improved customer service.
5. Access to Experience and Skill
From an experience perspective, in-house staff can be rusty. When you outsource your IT support, you get the advantage of a wider knowledge base. An IT provider has multiple personnel with multiple skill-set, while an in-house team will have few individuals with limited skills and experience.
Most businesses will outsource their IT support solely for this reason. In case an issue surfaces, the IT provider sends a professional with the specific skills and experience to solve the problem. This way, they can establish the issue faster, resolve them quickly, and have users back in a short time.
Also, most small businesses are not able to rival their bigger competitors with in-house teams. Outsourcing, therefore, gives them access to the same technology, expertise, and resources as the bigger players.
Final Thoughts
Outsourcing your technical functions offers your business a myriad of benefits. You’re able to focus on your core business and strategy, minimize expenditure, and reduce risk. Also, you expose your business to the experience and skill of professional technicians. This way your small business is able to compete with the bigger players and level the playing field.