As your company scales, you may need more information technology (IT) help to keep things running smoothly. However, hiring a Chief Information Officer, or an entire department can be costly.
Plus, you’re only limited to support during their working hours – which can become an issue when they take a day off, and your computer conveniently crashes. This is why many people opt to outsource their IT services.
Conversely, outsourcing has its cons as many tend to find the lack of control nerve-wracking. Additionally, there are quite a few instances where companies can’t offer the same level of quality that in-house IT support can provide.
However, despite the negatives, most find that the positives of outsourcing their IT services heavily outweigh them. The information below is meant to provide you with the benefits and downsides of outsourcing IT services.
The Pros of Outsourcing IT Services
The following benefits of outsourced IT services are almost always enough to convince business owners to sign a service agreement, regardless of the negatives.
1. Cost Savings
Outsourcing your IT services can save you thousands of dollars. Most companies offer plans at a flat rate each month, so you don’t have to worry about hidden fees and sudden price jumps. On the other hand, a CIO is much more expensive, and the wages you pay each month can fluctuate.
2. 24/7 Support
The majority of managed service providers offer 24/7 support, so you can access them any time of the day when you have a technical issue that needs fixing. Conversely, when you have an internal CIO or IT department, you only have access to support while they’re in the building. That can be problematic when working late to catch up and experiencing a software issue with nobody around to fix it – especially as the “standard” work week becomes less and less structured.
3. Increased Resources
Managed service providers have long-standing connections with software vendors, and they’ll communicate with them on your behalf. Plus, they’ll be able to get you better deals on pricing that you couldn’t have obtained otherwise. Not only do they have access to exceptional resources, but they will always stay current in industry knowledge and laws – so you can rely on them to keep your company up-to-date as well.
4. Better Security
IT services in Corpus Christi offer 24/7 monitoring, giving you complete cybersecurity, even when you’re not in the office. This is critical to protect against hackers who seek to attack when you’re away. Additionally, they’ll keep your technology updated with the latest security software the minute it becomes available, so you can rest assured that your sensitive data will always be highly protected. By and large, the proactive nature allows for better security overall.
The Cons of Outsourcing IT Services
While the pros may have you sold, you need to consider some cons to outsourced IT before you sign a contract. At minimum, to be personally aware of any cyber risks. After all, only you know what is best for your company.
1. Support is Remote
While remote support is handy for 24/7 monitoring and security, it can also be a pain when there’s nobody physically in the office to provide IT support. Remote help desk services usually operate using a ticketing system instead of conversational IT, which can take longer than calling the guys down the hall to fix the issue immediately. However, an outsourced service provider will often detail average resolution times in the contract to give you a good idea of possible delays in workflow.
Additionally, there is always the potential for miscommunication when operating remotely.
2. Lack of Control
The biggest issue when outsourcing any service, especially in IT, is the lack of control. You’re trusting someone else with your clients’ most sensitive data, and the way they handle it may not be up to your standards – despite the customizability in services. Therefore, when you choose a provider, it’s crucial to check client testimonials to ensure they will respect your wishes for how you want things done.
3. Trust Issues
It can be hard to trust someone else with your company’s cybersecurity, especially in heavily regulated industries that require specialized data storage. You’re supposed to put complete trust in a managed service provider to ensure that you’re compliant within both national and state regulations. On top of that, you need to trust that they’re not abusing their access to internal documents and information.
4. Quality
A CIO and in-house IT department can provide immense value to your company that an outsourced provider cannot. Plus, since managed services work with more than one company, sometimes hundreds more, their focus is not solely on your needs. This can be problematic when you need emergency support, and they’re experiencing long wait times because multiple companies may be facing the same issues. This is often one of the biggest hindrances to productivity – so it’s a significant factor to weigh.
Conclusion
While there are several large negatives to IT outsourcing, the positives often outweigh them, especially considering the cost-savings that come with it. Having access to 24/7 cybersecurity and support is something you can’t necessarily get when using an in-house team. That is unless you are willing to pay higher wages for overnight employees. Since you’re considering outsourcing your IT services, you probably want to save money and streamline productivity.