With IT needs that are constantly growing, many companies choose to outsource their IT departments. Is this decision right for you and your organization? That is a complicated question. Many organizations have indeed seen great improvements in efficiency and security after switching to a managed service provider. However, it might not necessarily be the right option for everyone. As you evaluate whether those services are right for you, here are the benefits and factors that should be considered.
1. Access To The Best
The IT industry has a serious “supply and demand” problem these days. Put simply, the demand for top-level cybersecurity people is much greater than the supply. Thus, it is no longer realistic for everyone to keep an in-house team. Even for those who do, it may be necessary to supplement those efforts through outsourcing.
Companies that provide outsourced IT are specifically designed to provide top-level IT people to a wide variety of groups. By spreading those services around, they make it possible for everyone to have a higher level of security. Also, we should mention the technology factor. A top-level IT company should have the latest tools and tech because their business model depends on having those things.
2. Greater Productivity For The In-House Team
You don’t necessarily have to give up your in-house team when you go with an outsourced approach. You can go with a hybrid approach, and many companies have found this to be adequate. Basically, you keep those in-house employees that you truly need while replacing those who are just taking up space.
When this kind of thing is done right, the in-house team works hand-in-hand with the outsourced team. The result is greater effectiveness for both teams, and that can only be a good thing for your organization as a whole. There are certain problems that require a trained person on-site and other problems that do not. Therefore, you can divide the responsibilities accordingly.
3. Guaranteed Uptime
For any network management system, the top priority is to keep that network online and functioning. Businesses can lose thousands or even millions of dollars from an extended network outage, as every minute represents lost business and lost revenue. In order to deal with this problem, any good IT provider should provide you with an SLA (Service-Level Agreement).
An SLA basically lays out the terms of service in a clear and concise way. It should guarantee a certain percentage of uptime every month, with the number normally being in excess of 90%. Even 10% downtime every month can result in massive losses, so don’t settle for a substandard SLA. The point is to make sure that your network is at least functioning most of the time. If not, your provider accepts responsibility for the resulting losses.
4. Better Security
Cybersecurity is one of those areas “where the rubber meets the road.” What we mean is this: If your IT setup is not efficient and well-run, it will probably show in the lack of security. Cybersecurity is a more slippery and difficult concept than simple network maintenance or performance tweaking. For this reason, it serves as a reliable indicator.
In general, outsourced IT providers are able to provide better security. Because they have more people on the job, it is easier for them to provide reliable network monitoring. Network monitoring has proven to be the best way of stopping an attack in the initial stages. Quick response is also a crucial factor, and this also tends to be better when dealing with an outsourced team.
5. Training And Development
When you go with an in-house team, you have to take responsibility for their training and development. Further, there will be a need to provide additional training at certain points. Technology changes very quickly these days, so “updates” are often needed for this kind of training. You wouldn’t want to hire someone who is only versed in 20-year-old technology, would you?
When you hire an outsourced IT provider, you don’t have to worry about any of that. Not only does this save you the trouble of training those new people, but it also saves you the expense of having to hire certified trainers. Further, an outsourced IT approach means that no one will have to take time out of their day to help new people. Instead, you will be getting your IT employees in a fully-developed state.
6. Technology And Equipment Costs
One of the main themes that can be seen here is the ability to save money. outsourcing often is the most cost-efficient route, and this is especially true when we start thinking about technology and equipment costs. Most companies simply cannot afford to keep up with all the latest information technology. However, the latest technology is required if you want the best possible results.
This is another great advantage of outsourcing. Your IT provider should have no problem acquiring the latest tech because that is part of their business. This means that you do not have to pay for that high-level technology! Instead, you just pay for the services of qualified individuals, and the technology costs are included in that figure. Needles to say, this is much better in terms of dollars and sense.
Conclusion
In spite of all these benefits, this is not a decision to be made lightly. Some companies have better results with an in-house team. However, we have found that most organizations can benefit from outsourcing, whether they choose to go with a partial plan or a full replacement of their existing services. Because the needs and day-to-day operations of every company are different, it is impossible to say which will be best for your company. Whether you need an IT support provider or local managed IT services, PCH Technologies has what you need. If you would like to know more or get some good advice, you can call PCH Technologies at (856) 754-7500.