The word ‘outsourcing’ causes a lot of confusion. What is IT outsourcing? How does it work? And why do businesses outsource in the first place? According to Deloitte, 59% of businesses use outsourcing as a cost-cutting tool and 57% do so because it allows them to focus on their core business. So, you see, IT outsourcing is more than simply calling a technician to fix a server problem or broken computer. It’s about finding a trusted MSP, managed services provider, to protect your digital infrastructure and your data, so you can focus on building your business.
What is IT Outsourcing Through an MSP?
Many business owners try to get by with a lone IT ‘whiz’ or by troubleshooting problems themselves. While you may be technically proficient, or have an IT technician that’s a computer superstar, as your company scales up and grows it could become more difficult to handle all your IT needs in-house.
That’s where IT outsourcing comes in. MSPs are a technology resource for businesses that have limited IT support or for those who don’t have IT teams inhouse. They can manage all of your business’ IT, or they can assist in certain areas, such as cybersecurity, where they monitor and neutralize threats to your network, or they can suggest improvements to your IT infrastructure, such as cloud solutions or new hardware that enhances productivity. They can also mitigate and minimize risk by helping you with business continuity and disaster recovery plans.
A reliable and knowledgeable MSP should be concerned with keeping your IT operations secure and efficient. They should be responsive, agile, innovative, and cost effective. Most importantly, they should be there for your organization and your employees, when and where you need them, even if it’s ‘after business hours’. There’s nothing worse than having projects on hold while you wrestle with an IT issue.
How do I Know If I should be Outsourcing IT?
Now that we’ve solved the mystery of what is IT outsourcing, you might wonder how to make the decision about whether it’s right for you. The final decision will always be a personal one. Some reasons to engage an MSP like Com Pro are to reduce downtime and increase efficiency. Here are other key reasons that many companies choose to outsource…
- Reliability: An internal employee can get burnt out, take sick leave, or can leave the company altogether. An MSP is always there and can assign a dedicated team of IT professionals who have the skills needed to solve issues quickly
- Cost Savings: It costs much more to hire, train, and retain your own full-time IT staff. Outsourcing IT can save a company 40% or more on its technological costs, because most MSPs charge a flat monthly rate and can develop a plan that fits within your budget
- Security: A 2021 CyberEdge Group report stated that 86% of organizations have experienced at least one successful data breach, which on average, can cost a small business $150,000 to remediate. With a team of IT professionals continuously monitoring your systems, they can detect and mitigate cyber threats, and help you address any gaps in your IT security
Your decision to outsource can be for many reasons, including what phase of growth your company is in, whether customer data security is top of mind in your industry, or whether you have work-at-home staff that require more robust IT security and infrastructure.
The important thing is to choose the right IT provider. You need someone who understands the needs of your organization, an MSP who has the right expertise and skill to deliver the best results.
Choosing the Right IT Partner
When you delegate your IT management to an external partner, you will find that you’re able to refocus your energy on other tasks within your organization, thereby freeing up your internal staff so they can devote their time to projects that advance your business.
Finding a trusted MSP isn’t always easy. You should look for Managed IT providers like Com Pro, who have a reputation for reliability and excellent customer service. They should offer:
- Flexible, customized solutions
- Help desks that are locally-based and offer support beyond normal working hours
- Service costs that are reasonable, and fixed monthly rates for easy budgeting
- The latest IT monitoring software and security options
- A skilled team of IT professionals who can help advise you on the best IT solutions and investments, with experience in business continuity, and disaster recovery plans
Conclusion
We hope we’ve answered your question of ‘what is IT outsourcing’, its benefits and what to look for in an MSP partner. Remember, outsourcing isn’t a bad concept. Think of it as delegating responsibility. You’re simply choosing an external company to become an extension of your already amazing internal team!
Get IT Solutions that help your company compete in the marketplace. Com Pro can take care of all your IT, so you don’t have to. Contact us online or at 604.574.8623.