There are all sorts of reasons why many businesses are choosing outsourcing as the solution for their IT operations. It can reduce overhead costs, extradite tech integration and ensure unusual requirements are met in the best way possible.
Outsourcing is the process of looking outside of your own business for the source of a service or product you require. With regards to IT, this means using an IT Managed Service Provider (MSP) to handle any work relating to your IT operations, including:
- Networking.
- Hosting.
- Device Management.
- Backup & Recovery.
- Telecommunications.
- Email.
- Cybersecurity.
But how can you tell if it’s time to start outsourcing your IT?
Signs Your Business Should Outsource Its IT Needs
There are many signs it may be time to outsource to improve your IT operations in your business. Here are some very common ones.
1. Your IT Costs are Getting Too High
Reducing costs is one of the most common reasons for outsourcing IT. It can be expensive to run an IT department in-house. There is a skills shortage, so these types of employees tend to command a higher salary, particularly if they have specialist skills. Moreover, the hardware and software such a department needs can be expensive. By outsourcing, you get a more manageable monthly cost of IT services with access to specialist skills and infrastructure without any additional investment.
2. Your Technology is Becoming Out of Date
It is a rapidly-evolving industry. Workplace digitisation has accelerated in every aspect of business and, unless you have the agility and budget to move with the times, it can be easy to lag behind. In a competitive environment, inferior IT infrastructure can be a significant disadvantage, meaning you miss out on important tools and resources for a modern business. A reputable IT consulting firm can give you access to the latest tech to enable you to implement efficient systems to run your business.
3. Your In-house Staff are Not Trained in the Latest Developments
Regular upskilling and professional development is particularly important for IT staff. With rapid development continuing apace in the IT industry, if you don’t keep training your employees in the latest tech then there could be a gulf in available technology versus skills in your department. To maintain maximum effectiveness in your IT operations, a specialist IT company can be a great option as their employees will be trained in the latest trends and knowledge.
4. You are Struggling to Keep up with Compliance Obligations
Many industries are subject to strict compliance requirements both domestically and internationally. Failure to keep up with this can result in significant fines and harm your reputation. IT infrastructure audits are a common feature of compliance as it relates to data protection. It can be far easier to meet these requirements with the help of a managed IT service firm. These people will have the resources and skills necessary to keep you up-to-date with your compliance at all times.
5. Security Vulnerabilities are Creeping In
Cybercrime is one of the biggest threats businesses face in the modern world. If there are any weaknesses in your security systems, you could be at risk of an incredibly damaging attack. And all it takes to become vulnerable is failure to keep up with the ever-changing parameters of the fight against cybercrime. If you feel vulnerable to cyberattacks, a specialised IT firm can give you access to the latest knowledge and solutions to keep you safe from such attacks.
6. Your Business is Short of New Ideas
Working with the same in-house IT team for a long time can cause things to stagnate as new ideas are in short supply. An outsourced IT team can give you fresh perspective and modes of thinking that might lead to innovation and new insights. Essentially, the practical ideas an outside team brings to the table could help kickstart a new trajectory in your business and boost operations by offering digital transformation options.
7. Your Business is Growing
You may have started out small as an entrepreneur, but growth means more complex needs for IT. Expansion means you have to be more conscious of the latest IT solutions and cybersecurity measures. If you are outgrowing the capabilities of yourself or your internal IT experts, and you lack the time/resources to train or hire to fill that skills gap, outsourcing could be the ideal solution.
8. There is High Staff Turnover in Your IT Department
If the staff turnover in your IT department is getting high, it can be very disruptive to your operations. There are many reasons why it can happen, but it is far from ideal for your daily activities. One practical solution is to outsource your IT functions until you become profitable enough to bring in full-time employees that will stay with you.
9. You Need Some Niche Expertise for an IT Project
Niche expertise can be hard to come by in-house, but there are many IT firms offering specialist skills in many areas. To get the best results from challenging projects, outsource to teams that have the niche expertise to succeed. This could ensure the most positive outcome and even save you money over the course of the project.
10. Strategically, Outsourcing Simply Makes the Most Sense
If your IT budget is small and you lack extensive IT resources, outsourcing can be a no-brainer. But, sometimes, outsourcing makes the most strategic sense, particularly in the early stages of your business. A specialist firm can lend you its vast experience, resources and knowledge to help elevate your business and propel you forward.
Final Thoughts on IT Outsourcing for Businesses
It can be daunting to manage the day-to-day operations of your business. If you are also having to cover all your IT needs and responsibilities, it can become completely overwhelming to operate at full capacity. Outsourcing your IT can ensure you are getting the very best from your IT operations whilst saving time and money to focus on your core business activities.
It is something that every business should be considering in this highly digitised world.
Why choose Eventura as your Managed IT Service Provider?
Eventura has been providing managed IT services to countless customers for 20 years. Our talented team of people can help you identify all your businesses IT needs and engineer bespoke IT solutions that have real-world benefits to your business.
We are also NetSuite Solution Providers and Sage 200 Business Partners, offering game-changing ERP solutions crafted to automate and streamline business processes.
If you would like to speak to one of our experts, you can request a free call back here.
