IT outsourcing is a hot trend today as companies devote a larger portion of their budget to hiring IT support. About 49% of businesses outsource IT services to free up their resources and focus more on core business activities.
The increased attention to outsourcing doesn’t mean that you can’t manage your IT in-house. As a business owner, your goal should be to leverage the power of IT in your critical operations.
You’ll get the most out of the available technology if you have the right tech support, either in-house or from hired IT support services. Are you wondering whether to DIY IT support or outsource the support?
Keep reading to learn the pros and cons of each option and why you should hire IT support services.
What Is In-House IT Support?
Table of Contents
In-house IT support is when a company employs an individual or team to manage its technology needs. The in-house IT staff handles your business’s entire technological infrastructure, from server maintenance to user support. You also have full control over the in-house IT staff.
The Benefits of In-House IT Support
When you have an in-house IT team, you can control every aspect of the department. You can determine the size of the team, the skills they need, and how they work.
It’s also easier to develop a good working relationship with in-house IT staff since they are always on-site. You can train them to help them deliver services that align with your company’s values.
You can quickly resolve any technical issues because the IT team is just a phone call away. The team can fix most problems without scheduling an appointment or waiting for someone to come from off-site.
An in-house team can be more flexible because they understand your business model and can tailor their support to meet your specific needs.
When you DIY IT support, you can customize the systems to match your business processes perfectly. The team can also offer personalized support to employees and rapidly resolve any technical issues that may arise.
The Disadvantages of In-House IT Support
The primary disadvantage of in-house IT support is the high cost. You need to factor in the cost of salaries, benefits, and training for your IT staff. You also need to have enough work to keep the team busy.
It can be challenging to find the right IT talent. You need to post job ads, screen candidates, and hope that you find the right fit for your company. Once you find the right person, you need to provide training to equip the new hires with the necessary skills to do their job.
You have to invest considerable time in training the staff and keeping them up-to-date with the latest technology trends. And if your in-house IT team members take extended leave, it can disrupt the continuity of support. This will make it challenging to resolve technical issues promptly.
Managing an in-house IT team can be difficult because it’s hard to keep up with the ever-changing technology landscape.
The team may not have the skills or knowledge to leverage the latest technology trends and tools. As a result, it might be difficult to have an edge over your competitors.
What Is Hiring IT Support?
Hiring IT support means working with an external company that provides technology solutions and services.
Your company enters into a contract with an external provider to manage your technology needs. The external provider takes responsibility for the company’s entire technological infrastructure and offers support to employees.
As a business owner, several reasons might make you think that hiring IT services is not the best decision. You might fear that it’ll be difficult to build a trusting relationship with an external provider.
When you outsource IT, you entrust a critical part of your business to someone else. And if there’s a problem with IT systems, it can significantly impact your business operations.
You might also be worried that outsourcing IT support will make it difficult to keep track of the external provider’s performance. There’s a risk that you could lose some visibility and control over the company’s technology. This can make it difficult to hold the external provider accountable for their performance.
However, as you’ll see below, there is a wide range of reasons why hiring IT support services is the best decision. With the best IT support services providers, you won’t worry about the above issues.
Why Should You Hire IT Support Services?
There are many reasons why you should outsource IT support instead of relying on an in-house team for the support. Here are some of the most important reasons:
You’ll Get Access to Skilled and Experienced Professionals
When you outsource IT support, you’ll have access to a team of experts who understand the ins and outs of IT services.
The external provider will assign a dedicated team of specialists to your account. This team will have the knowledge and experience needed to resolve any technical issues in your computer networks.
The professionals will offer advice on using technology to improve your business operations. Managed IT service providers will understand every IT area vital to your business. They’ll have the skills to handle everything from data management to cybersecurity.
The team will also be up-to-date with the latest technology trends. They can use this knowledge and other technology partnerships to update your IT infrastructure. The IT support services will also prevent you from wasting your money on IT assets that will become obsolete after a few years.
It’s a More Cost-Effective Option
The myth that outsourcing IT is more expensive than having an in-house team is just that—a myth. When you outsource IT, you’ll have a predictable monthly fee for the services.
You won’t need to worry about the cost of hiring and managing an in-house team. You also won’t incur the cost of training the staff or keeping them up-to-date with the latest trends.
Relying on managed IT services also means that there will be no costs in areas like pay raises, sick leaves, and replacing your IT employees. The external provider will take care of all that for you.
The external provider will be responsible for managing and updating your IT infrastructure. They’ll also handle any unexpected costs, such as resolving a data breach.
You can use the money you save by outsourcing IT to invest in other business areas. For example, you could use the money to improve your marketing efforts or fund research and development.
You Can Focus on Your Core Business Activities
When you outsource IT support, you can focus on your core business activities. You won’t need to worry about managing the technology yourself.
You can use the extra time to focus on other areas of your business that need your attention. This will free up your time to focus on growing the business and improving your bottom line.
The external provider will manage all aspects of your IT infrastructure. They’ll also monitor it 24/7 to prevent any issues from arising.
You can focus on your business goals while the external provider handles all the technical details. Your in-house time will also have more time to think about innovative business solutions. This innovation will help you grow your business and achieve long-term success.
You’ll Benefit From Improved Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity IT support will assist you in keeping cybercriminals at bay. The external provider will have the tools and expertise needed to protect your data from cyber threats.
They’ll also be able to offer advice on how to improve your cybersecurity posture. The external provider will take care of all aspects of cybersecurity, including intrusion detection, incident response, and malware removal.
You won’t need to worry about buying and maintaining cybersecurity tools. The external provider will take care of that for you.
You’ll also have peace of mind knowing that your data is safe from cyber threats. The external provider will constantly monitor your IT infrastructure and take action if they detect any suspicious activity.
You Can Access Technical Support 24/7
When you outsource IT support, you can access technical support 24/7. The external provider will have a team of experts who can help you resolve any issues.
You won’t need to wait until normal business hours to get the help you need. The external provider will be available to help you whenever you need it.
You’ll be assured of network support to guarantee that your computer networks are well-maintained to prevent costly downtime.
Are you asking yourself, “What is network support?” If this is your question, you can learn more to understand what you’ll be gaining by hiring managed IT support services.
You can also access technical support from anywhere in the world. The external provider will have a team of experts in different time zones. This means that someone will always be available to help you, no matter where you are or what time it is.
You’ll Get Customized Support
When you outsource IT support, you’ll get customized support. The external provider will take the time to understand your specific needs.
They’ll then create a plan that is tailored to your business. Customization means you won’t have to pay for services that you don’t need.
The external provider will also scale their services to meet your changing needs. They’ll be able to add new services as your business grows. You can also reduce your reliance on IT support services when your business is doing well.
You Won’t Have to Worry About IT Emergencies
Outsourcing IT support means you won’t have to worry much about IT emergencies. The external provider will have a plan to deal with any unexpected issues. They’ll prevent downtime that can cost your business an average of $5,600.
They’ll also be able to resolve any issues that may arise quickly. This means you won’t need to worry about business disruptions because of an IT emergency.
You’ll have more peace of mind when pursuing new projects like product development. You’ll also build better relationships with your customers because you’ll meet their demands on time. This will help you to grow your business and achieve long-term success.
You’ll Get Access to the Latest Technology
When you outsource IT support, you’ll have access to the latest technology. The external provider will invest in the latest tools and software. They’ll be more motivated to invest in such tools because it’s what their business is about.
They’ll also keep their team up to date on the latest industry trends. If you work with the team, you’ll always have access to these trends and other technological developments.
The external provider will also offer advice on how to use the latest technology. They’ll help you make the most of it and leverage it to stay ahead of your industry rivals.
Assurance of High-Quality Services
Hiring IT support services will assure you of high-quality services, especially if you do your due diligence before choosing the service provider.
The technology partners will be more invested in giving your business the best because it’s also their business. They’ll do their best to maintain their reputation and ensure you are their long-time client.
High-quality services mean less downtime for your business and more productive work hours. A reliable IT support team will be proactive in solving problems instead of waiting for something to break down.
They’ll also use the latest tools and software to provide you with the best possible service. This means that you can be assured of receiving high-quality services. You can be more confident that your IT systems are running as expected.
Leverage the Benefits of Hiring IT Support Services
Getting the right IT support services means deciding between DIY IT support and hiring managed IT services.
While both options have advantages, you’ll benefit most from working with outsourced technical support. If you’re having doubts about hiring IT support services, go over our article to learn what you stand to gain when you outsource.
Did you enjoy reading the article? If you do, keep browsing our website for more informative content.