Managing an in-house IT support department can be an expensive and complicated affair. For this reason, many companies choose to outsource their IT support. But is this a good idea? Today, we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of hiring an outsourced IT support department.
Benefits of an outsourced IT support department.
Here are the six main benefits of outsourcing your IT support requirements instead of managing a fully-fledged in-house IT department.
Lower running costs.
On average, it will cost you over ยฃ50k a year to employ an in-house IT manager and this only takes salary into account. There are other costs associated with hiring in-house, such as the price of recruitment, company benefits, insurance, training, and taxes. Most small businesses cannot afford this luxury but can usually afford to outsource their IT support needs, as everything is packaged into one affordable monthly payment with no hidden costs meaning you save money.
More time to run your business.
Suppose you’re struggling to manage your IT infrastructure yourself because you can’t afford to hire an in-house IT support team. In that case, you are probably losing valuable time that could be spent implementing more meaningful business strategies. When you outsource your IT support, you are freeing up time and leaving the complicated work in the hands of a professional team you can trust.
Take advantage of the latest technology.
You might know a thing or two about computers, but do you know about the latest and most significant developments in the world of IT? An outsourced IT provider is on the front line of the industry, meaning they get all the latest news and updates so that they can help your business take advantage of new advances and trends in real time.
Better productivity.
If you distribute IT tasks between existing staff, it might feel like you’re saving money. But in reality, you’re just reducing productivity, and you probably aren’t getting very much done.
Instead of hoping your existing staff can help you navigate IT issues, it can help your business if you let them focus on their roles, while an outsourced IT support team gives you the on-demand expertise to get problems fixed quickly.
It can help you during restructures.
IT support is a core function that your business needs to operate at total capacity. During restructures, you shouldn’t neglect this critical need โ an outsourced IT support team can help you navigate transition periods smoothly without compromising critical functions.
Gain the experience of a team working with multiple clients.
Unlike an in-house team who are focused only on your business, an outsourced IT support team have a very wide range of experience that is gained from helping multiple clients solve a diverse range of problems. This can be very helpful when your business has a new challenge it needs to solve because an outsourced IT team can bring new ideas and solutions to the table that an in-house team might not be able to.
Improves your Cyber Security
Outsourcing it support services to a reputable support company will give you access to cyber security solutions too. As a matter of course the support provider will improve your data protection, guard against critical failure with backup and disaster recover, and keep you abreast of new advances in the fight against cyber crime.
Related Article: Why IT Support Important?
Risks associated with outsourcing your IT support
Before you decide to outsource your IT support requirements, you should consider some of the possible risks associated.
The Industry is Unregulated
Literally anybody can set themselves up offering IT support services. However there are some things you can look for to ensure your choosing a reputable provider. Look at who they partner with and are accredited by; Microsoft don’t just partner with anyone for example!
Also look for a cyber security accreditation such as Cyber Essentials Plus or ISO27001. Other good indicators are lots of reviews on the website and on Google – check these are from businesses not just individuals. Some businesses get lots of reviews from friends and family in order to ‘boost’ their Google rating.
Complex IT functions can be difficult to outsource.
If your company’s IT infrastructure is unusually complex, getting up and running with an outsourced IT provider might be challenging. With a bit of time and patience, this challenge can be overcome if you select a competent provider. But be aware that you may have a slightly slower start for very complex functions.
You could lose ownership of your infrastructure.
This is a fairly rare problem and one that can be avoided by choosing an outsourced IT provider who acts with integrity. Be cautious of providers who might introduce their own proprietary software programs onto your computing system and then demand it back when your contract ends.
Conclusion: The rewards outweigh the risks
Outsourcing your IT support requirements can save your business money, free up more of your time, improve productivity, and bring a diverse skill set to your organisation with unique problem-solving abilities.
Be aware that there are certain risks you need to look out for, but as long as you choose a reputable provider who can demonstrate a history of a good quality of service, outsourcing your IT support is a very smart choice
Outsourced IT Support FAQs:
Here are a few of the most common questions we get asked about outsourcing your IT support, along with our answers:
What is the advantage of using an outsourced IT support team?
There are many advantages to outsourcing user support, but the three most common benefits are: cost savings, improved customer satisfaction, and increased efficiency.
What is in house IT support?
It is support that is provided by an organisation’s internal IT department, as opposed to an external managed service provider. This term is typically used in contrast to “outsourcing IT support”. It can be hard to know whats best, In house IT support or Outsourced IT Sourced? You can decide.
What are some services outsourced IT support offers?
There’s a lot that goes into IT support, and outsourcing can save your valuable business time and money. Here are some of the services that outsourced IT support can offer:
Help desk support:
This is the initial level of support that deals with user questions and problems. It can be conducted via phone, email, or chat.
Desktop support:
providing assistance with desktop computers, laptops, and other devices. It can include troubleshooting hardware and software issues, as well as providing guidance on using applications and programs.
Onsite Support:
Sometimes things cannot be fixed remotely and a physical presence is required onsite. Some charge for this service; look for a provider who offers inclusive onsite support to save money.
Monitoring and Maintenance:
Regular monitoring and maintenance stops problems occurring and preventing your staff from working.
Network support:
Covers the maintenance and management of computer networks. It can involve tasks such as setting up new equipment, monitoring network traffic, and troubleshooting connectivity issues.
Security support:
Helps to protect businesses from cyber threats. It can involve tasks such as implementing security measures, monitoring for unusual activity, and responding to security incidents.
IT Consultancy:
The service will often include access to an Account Manager or a Virtual Chief Information Officer (VCIO). Dependant on their experience they will do the job of an IT Manager or Director. They’ll understand the wider IT landscape and the latest and greatest developments in the world of technology and be able to assist the business to implement them.