Points To Consider When Deciding Between In-House Or Outsourced IT Service & Support
The pros and cons to keep in mind
As a busy professional in Cedar City, Idaho Falls, or St. George you probably don’t have the time to research the pros and cons of using either in-house techs or an outsourced IT service company. To help, we’ve done some legwork for you.
In the meantime, you should begin by assessing your organization’s technology needs. Are you planning to take on any new projects soon? Do you have the right IT infrastructure to handle it? Are you using the best technology on the market or is your network somewhat outdated?
Question Of The Day: Should I Outsource Or Not Outsource Your Information Technology Services?
There’s no definitive answer to this question – It depends on several factors.
Regardless of the type of business you operate, or how big or small it is; one thing is for sure – you need reliable IT Service & Support. Whether this comes from an in-house staff of techs, or an IT Services Company, you need a skilled and experienced team that’s committed to providing the best service and support possible.
As we present the pros and cons here, envision how your business requirements will be met with each option.
Your Day-To-Day Computer Services & Technology Support Needs
On the side of using an in-house tech team:
- They will have firsthand experience with your business functions and procedures. They’ll understand the nuances regarding your operations.
- You can build your in-house IT team and train them according to your requirements.
- If you experience a security breach or another emergency, they’ll be there to help.
- The turnaround time to fix problems will be shorter than it would when outsourcing tech support.
But, on the opposite side of this argument, an in-house team may lack the broad knowledge you need. Putting together a team like this in-house can take months.
Plus, employment costs can add up quickly with in-house teams – especially for startups with constrained budgets.
In comparison, an outsourced technology services company:
- Will have a broader range of experience and knowledge to resolve technology issues.
- Knows which hardware and software solutions work best for other businesses like yours.
- Typically costs less than paying for salaries and benefits, and you won’t have to manage these employees.
- Has both generalists and tech specialists who can handle specific duties. A full-time employee typically has only a general set of IT skills
If you worry about losing control when outsourcing, don’t. As their client, you will always be in charge, even if some of the IT team works offsite. The right outsourced IT company will tailor their resources to fit your company’s unique requirements.
Support For Specific Technology Projects, Desktop Rollouts, and Server Deployments
When choosing either in-house or outsourced IT support to get a new project in place, it’s important to consider the scale, deadlines, and budgetary constraints.
In-House Computer Techs
- If the project will span many years, you may want tech support onsite to help you iron out any tech issues and changes along the way. However, it will take a lot of time to find and hire the right team of IT experts with the skills you require.
Outsourced Computer Networking and Tech Service & Support
- Outside tech support will be the best choice if you need an experienced team right away, or if you’ll need to change out techs with varying skills as the project evolves.
- And, with outsourced tech support, you won’t have to worry about finding the right techs for each stage of the project.
- A virtual Chief Information Officer (vCIO) can help you set up a team of IT engineers, project managers, and IT testers to handle all technical aspects of the project.
The benefit of using an outsourced approach for specific projects is that an IT company can bring in someone with a particular skill set to handle certain tasks. Once those tasks are complete, you may not need those skills again. So it makes sense to outsource to a specialist for the duration of the task.
Software And Hardware Procurement & Implementation – Outsourced Wins Hands-Down Here
Even large enterprises don’t always have the in-house IT support they need for hardware and software projects. To get the best results, an outsourced IT company is usually the best call for this purpose.
They’ll have a wide range of knowledge about what products are available, or coming down the road. And they can usually get you better pricing than you can find on your own.
If you need software development specialists, you can use outsourced support for short or long-term projects.
Outsourcing Your Business Tech Services Will Save You Money
Outsourcing makes financial sense. You won’t need to invest in the equipment or software necessary to do a job. Your IT contractor will provide their own tools or include the cost of procuring the equipment in their monthly fee – and the price will usually be less than what you could get on your own.
You can designate the equipment as an operating expense rather than a capital expense if the contractor includes the equipment as part of their IT service.
One disadvantage of outsourcing is that a freelance tech can command a higher hourly rate than an in-house operative. However, if you use monthly Managed IT Services, you’ll get the most for your money. Just about everything will be covered for an affordable monthly fee.
Plus, training requirements never stop. If you employ an in-house team, you’ll have to pay for their skills to be updated each year. The cost of certifications can be hefty as well. Your outsourced IT company will pay for their techs to be trained and certified so you never have to worry about these issues.
Flexibility & Scalability – Outsourcing Wins
As mentioned, outsourcing provides you with a professional team for a limited time, and according to the size and longevity requirements of your project or operations.
You can use outsourced services on an as-needed basis. An IT company can “jump in” to assist on a project when you need extra help.
Outsourcing provides the flexibility you require without hiring and firing in-house techs.
Can You Trust Your In-House Tech With Your Technical Knowledge?
As mentioned, it can be difficult and time-consuming to find a tech with the right skills. You also need someone you can trust with your company’s IT knowledge. What happens when the tech leaves for another job? They will take their accumulated knowledge with them.
If you outsource, you won’t have to worry. An IT services company will keep logs of everything they do. And they’ll provide reports on a regular basis so you’ll always have them on hand.
What’s The Answer When It Comes To Hiring In-house Tech Services Or Bringing In A Managed IT Service Company?
It appears that the pros of outsourcing outweigh the cons. And we’re not alone in our conclusion. Businesses are outsourcing IT service and support for many reasons. Here are the most common reasons why:
- Reduce and control operating costs.
- Focus on their core responsibilities.
- Gain access to world-class capabilities.
- Free up internal resources for other tasks.
- Increase efficiency for time-consuming activities.
- Maximize the use of external resources.
- Share risks with a partner company.
In the end, you must consider all the pros and cons, and ensure that whatever option you choose meets your organization’s ongoing requirements.
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