Reliable IT systems have become an integral part of modern businesses. They are essential for managing daily operations and staying competitive, making it nearly impossible to operate without them. However, not every business has the resources to maintain their own IT systems. That’s where outsourcing IT services comes in.
What is IT outsourcing?
IT outsourcing involves hiring a third party, typically a managed IT services provider (MSP), to oversee a company’s IT systems and infrastructure. While outsourced IT services vary greatly from provider to provider, these often include network management, troubleshooting, help desk support, data backup, cybersecurity, and system optimization. An outsourced IT company often serves as an extension of a business, handling all IT-related tasks in place of an in-house team.
What are the benefits of outsourcing your IT?
While outsourcing your IT to a third party requires a lot of trust and faith in the provider, there are many benefits that make it a worthwhile investment.
Cost-effective IT expertise
Finding IT experts can be difficult and hiring them can be expensive. In Florida, the average salary of a system administrator can cost businesses north of $70,000 per year, not including benefits. Keep in mind that an IT department requires more than just a system administrator; it’s also composed of engineers, technicians, cybersecurity specialists, and other IT professionals. If your company heavily relies on IT but doesn’t have a lot of resources, staffing an internal IT department may not be financially feasible.
By outsourcing your IT, you can find the same level of expertise without having to hire and train full-time staff. Many MSPs charge merely a flat monthly fee for comprehensive IT services, and these can be easily adjusted to fit your budget and business requirements. All the staffing costs, such as payroll and benefits, are handled by the third-party provider, so you’re only paying for the services you need.
Full and partial outsourcing options
What’s great about IT outsourcing is that it fills the expertise and capacity gaps that you may have. If your company doesn’t have an IT department, you can outsource all of your IT needs to an MSP. With this approach, the MSP will essentially be your IT department, overseeing your network and keeping your systems operational. Fully outsourcing your IT function gives you the most comprehensive coverage, yet also requires the most trust in your provider.
Alternatively, you can partially outsource IT responsibilities if your business already has an internal IT team. In this case, the outsourced MSP can supplement your team with expertise for specific projects or extra manpower to handle routine tasks. Partial outsourcing allows you to choose what IT functions you want to offload while still having an in-house team to handle more critical responsibilities.
Either way, both outsourcing options ensure any company has access to the expertise and manpower they need to keep their IT systems running. No matter what budget you have or what scope you need, IT outsourcing can provide the flexibility and scalability required to make it happen.
More time to devote to core business operations
Since outsourcing IT allows businesses to offload IT tasks to an experienced provider, they can redirect their efforts and resources toward their core operations. For instance, you won’t need to spend thousands of dollars on training and certifying IT staff. Plus, if problems occur, you won’t have to troubleshoot and fix the issue yourself. Instead, you can leave it up to a provider that has decades of experience preventing and dealing with downtime.
A top-quality MSP ensures your IT is always at peak performance, so your business can work without any interruptions. All the time you save not having to manage IT internally can be spent on growing your business and staying competitive.
Scalable services
One of the most commonly cited benefits of outsourcing is scalability. IT outsourcing, in particular, allows companies to keep costs low and resources high by having access to the exact amount of expertise, services, and support they need.
If there’s a sudden spike in your business activities that requires additional IT support, an MSP can easily manage it without having to hire more staff or invest in new technology. On the other hand, if you need to scale back on IT services, an MSP can also adjust their offerings and services as needed. Such flexibility is essential for businesses that want to remain competitive in today’s ever-changing market.
Competitive service level agreements (SLAs)
SLAs are contractual agreements that define the level of service that an IT services provider will deliver to a business. SLAs may include specific metrics such as minimum response times, uptime guarantees, and system performance benchmarks. Due to the competitive nature of the IT outsourcing market, various MSPs offer attractive and customizable SLAs. This makes it easy for businesses to negotiate the best possible services and support for their IT needs.
Insightful outsider perspective
Having a third-party provider manage your IT gives you the benefit of an outside perspective. MSPs can quickly spot any inefficiencies in your systems and provide helpful advice on how to improve them. A fresh outlook on your IT environment can often lead to more innovative solutions that internal teams are too entrenched within their own processes to come up with. In fact, the best MSPs have experience working with various clients across different industries, which gives them a unique perspective on what IT strategies work and how to optimize spending.
Risk management and cybersecurity
With the rise in cybercrimes and data breaches, it’s crucial for businesses to protect their networks, data, and confidential information. Small businesses with limited IT staff may not have the cybersecurity knowledge to mitigate the latest threats, which is why outsourcing makes sense.
MSPs have the specialists and technology needed to keep your company safe from cyberthreats. These experts can provide audits and vulnerability assessments, giving companies an objective look at their security posture and advice on how to bolster it. MSPs also consider the company’s compliance obligations and devise a security strategy and framework designed to meet such requirements.
Access to cutting-edge solutions
Well-established MSPs will often have close partnerships with technology vendors such as Microsoft and Cisco. This gives them access to the newest products and solutions on the market that may not be easily available to everyone else. Businesses can even take advantage of MSP partnerships to secure deals and discounts on the latest technology. MSPs that are partnered with specific vendors also tend to know the ins and outs of those vendors’ products, so they can provide specialized expertise and better support for their clients.
What’s more, MSPs can configure IT solutions to meet the specific requirements of your organization. For instance, they can integrate customer relationship management software with your communication systems to track and enhance client interactions.
Should you outsource your IT?
The short answer is yes. Working with a reliable and experienced MSP can provide numerous benefits to your business, from improved performance and lower costs to better security and top-quality expertise. Whether you’re offloading your entire IT operations or simply need help with a specific project, outsourcing your IT can help you focus on the core of your business.
With the right MSP by your side, you can leverage the power of technology to drive growth and success for your business. Dynamic Solutions Group can help you do just that. We offer cost-effective services, competitive SLAs, advanced solutions, and unparalleled expertise. Contact us today and let us show you what we can do.
