Pretty much every business uses IT support in one way or another, and it’s often quite a big expense. Indeed, a lot of firms spend large parts of their revenue on IT software, cloud services, and their own in-house IT specialists. But you don’t necessarily have to incur those high costs or have your own IT staff. There is another option: outsourcing your IT needs to an independent third party. This guide explores some of the key signs your business may benefit from outsourced IT support.
What Is Outsourced IT Support?
IT support is an umbrella term for all the tasks and processes involved in managing and making the most of your business’ IT systems. That includes things like network admin, security, software management, cloud storage, disaster recovery, printing and copying, etc. Outsourced IT support simply means that instead of having your own in-house workers handling these tasks, you entrust them to an exterior firm.
There are plenty of these firms out there and they can assist your business a great deal, easing the burden on your staff and taking care of the technological side of your operations. That can free you and your team up to focus on more important matters, like marketing and making sales, with the peace of mind you get from knowing your IT is in the hands of pros.
Signs You Should Consider Outsourcing
Now that you know what outsourced IT support has to offer, let’s now look at some of the common signs that show when a business should consider it.
You Can’t Afford to Pay In-House IT Staff
This is one of the most obvious signs, and it’s a common issue for a lot of startups and smaller businesses in general. Average salaries for individual IT support staff are approximately $60,000. That’s simply beyond the budgetary reach of a lot of businesses that need to make the most of every dollar they’ve got.
Fortunately, it’s way cheaper to outsource. Costs vary depending on the size of your firm and the scale of IT support you require, but you can compare rates from different providers and customize a support plan that fits your budget and your needs.
You Have an IT Team But with High Turnover
Maybe you do have the budget to cover in-house IT technicians, and you’ve even set up your own IT team, but you’re having issues with turnover. Again, this is something many firms encounter – they repeatedly have to replace IT technicians who move on for different opportunities or aren’t content with what the company can offer.
It might be that you’re just not able to give your IT team the salary and benefits to keep them around for extended periods. In that case, you may be better off outsourcing your support, at least for a while, as you build up your brand to a more secure and stable financial place.
Your Staff Are Repeatedly Dealing With IT Issues
Here’s another scenario that might sound familiar: your workers often seem to be complaining about IT problems. They might have issues using certain apps, experience slow and stuttering performance on their devices, encounter problems with network admin controls, or even confront faulty printers and copiers. Either way, it’s a problem – 95% of workers agree IT issues damage their morale and their productivity.
Outsourcing support makes a world of difference. With a trusted team on the case, there should be far fewer issues that emerge. And even if problems do arise, they’ll be fixed and dealt with promptly, so there won’t be lengthy delays for your team to cope with.
Your Business Is In a Period of Growth
Growth is a top target for a lot of business owners, and understandably so. It brings solidity, stability, and a stronger position in your market and industry. But growth is notoriously tricky to manage, especially on the tech side of things. Businesses that get bigger tend to have more reliance on technological solutions to support them, and if that support isn’t sufficient, growth can slow or even stop.
So, if your business is getting bigger, your existing IT situation might soon prove to be ineffective. Picking the right support partners that can match your company’s expansion ahead of time should get you in a stronger position to grow organically and with minimal disruption.
You’re Preparing to Expand Your Tech Stack
Next, another tech-related sign: you’re getting ready to invest in some new tech solutions and broaden your tech stack. Maybe you want to set up VPNs across your workforce’s devices, for example, to support more secure remote work, or invest in some new apps and software packages to help with communications, payroll, etc.
Either way, when you bring new tech into your business, it also comes with new obligations. You have to train workers to use that tech effectively, configure it accordingly to get the most value for your business, and so on. All that demands an investment of time, effort, and care – it’s often a lot easier to leave it all in the hands of trusted, outsourced professionals.
Cybersecurity Is a Big Concern for Your Business
Cybersecurity should be a big concern for pretty much every business nowadays, but it’s even more important in certain industries like healthcare, finance, or any other industry that involves handling, storing, and working with sensitive customer data.
With malware and cyber-attacks becoming more sophisticated and complex, you have to stay ahead of the game with your cyber defenses, and that’s not always easy. Once again, letting a team of proven pros take care of your cybersecurity is often a smart and cost-effective move. They can also help with disaster planning and recovery, getting your firm ready for those worst-case scenarios.
Invest in the Best Outsourced IT Support
Perhaps you recognize some of the signs and scenarios listed above. If so, it might be the right time to make the move and invest in outsourced IT support today. JD Young is ready to help. We offer a range of managed IT services to support businesses all over Tulsa. Get in touch with us today to find out more.