Nearly every company now relies on technology daily. And for most companies, the role of technology in critical operations will only grow. As a result of this reliance on technology, it’s increasingly important for organizations to have the tech support they need at all times. Depending on the situation, companies may hire employees to handle IT in-house, or they may outsource IT to a third-party provider.
But how do you know when you should hire in-house or outsource? In this blog, we’ll discuss the benefits of outsourcing your IT and whether you should be considering it.
Benefits of Outsourcing IT
Before you can decide whether outsourcing is right for you, you must first understand the reasons a business might choose this path. Below are some of the potential benefits of outsourcing IT:
Fewer Headaches: When you outsource IT, you no longer have to worry about maintenance, upgrades, repairs, or any other technological problems.
Fewer Expenses: Outsourcing IT is cost-effective, as you won’t have to pay for full-time employees to handle IT. The costs of hiring, training, benefits, and more add up.
Scalability: Outsourced IT services can be scaled up or down to meet your needs as your company evolves.
Team of Support: When you outsource your IT, you’re gaining access to a team of professionals. You will no longer be dependent on one person or a small team; you’ll have a multitude of experts to help minimize downtime and improve efficiency.
Better Use of In-House Resources: Many businesses delegate IT responsibilities to existing employees when they can’t afford to hire full-time IT personnel. With outsourcing, you will no longer need to split your employees’ focus in this way.
Downsides of Outsourcing
Although outsourcing IT offers several benefits, there can be downsides as well. For example, you won’t have as much control over your operations as you would have if you kept IT in-house. You’ll be entrusting core functions, possibly even security, to a third party. This third party might not hold the same standards that you would as a company. Most MSPs offer sound infrastructure and experienced staff, but just like everything in life, there are also less-qualified companies out there. In addition, if your provider is in a different time zone or has a heavy workload, communication can be problematic.
By taking the time to find the right provider, you can mitigate many of these risks, but it’s important to understand them when deciding to outsource or not.
Should You Outsource?
Deciding whether to outsource IT to a third-party provider can be a challenge for any company. It’s a decision that each organization must consider for their specific goals and needs. And there are many factors to contemplate.
If you aren’t sure whether outsourcing IT is right for your company, simply compare your options and weigh the pros and cons. Remember to evaluate the potential for cost savings, as well as the impact on your day-to-day operations. It’s also a good idea to learn about the services available to you so you will know what you should expect if you choose to outsource.
If you decide to proceed with outsourcing, it is important to consider multiple providers before making a selection. Choosing the right IT provider can make all the difference in the success of your company. Remember that the cost of outsourced services is not the most important factor. Making sure that you are receiving reliable, high-quality services is essential.
Interview each of the providers you are considering. Ask them about the services they provide, the fees they charge, and the customer support they offer. You should also read reviews from past customers. This way, you can find out how others have felt about the services they received from the provider in question. Check out our blog here, where we share insightful comments from prospective clients to help you make an informed decision.
In Conclusion
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing between outsourcing and going the in-house route. If you’re looking to lower costs or take some IT needs off your or your employees’ plates, outsourcing might be the better option for you. But if you want to have complete control over your technology infrastructure, hiring in-house is probably the best fit. And, you can always combine the two. You can hire a Chief Technology Officer or IT department in-house and then also outsource for backup and additional support.
At RCS Professional Services, we understand that every business has unique IT needs. As a leading Managed Service Provider (MSP), we work with businesses to support their internal IT staff or manage all their IT needs entirely. If you’re considering outsourcing your IT, reach out to us to learn more about how we can help your business thrive.
