Technology can be a burden on your business, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right team, you can allocate your time and resources into your core business goals again.
A Managed IT Service Provider is an external organization that handles some or all of your business IT. Some businesses opt for an internal IT department, but there may not be enough resources or staff to do so. Here are some signs you should outsource:
- You experience a lot of downtime.
- Your IT costs are high.
- You have unknown vulnerabilities.
- You have repeat problems without resolve.
- Your current IT staff is overwhelmed.
- You have a limited budget.
Let’s begin.
1. You Experience a lot of Downtime
It’s normal for technology to go down sometimes. However, you should not be experiencing consistent or extended downtime due to lack of support. Your designated IT team or person should respond in a timely manner. To prevent downtime as much as possible, a good MSP will provide proactive support.
If an incident occurs, it can be difficult to resolve if you have little to no IT staff. They may be busy with other tasks, not have the resources needed, or out of the office. With this lack of support, you will find yourself distracted by IT.
2. Your IT Costs are High
If you find yourself constantly throwing money into your technology systems without much return, consider getting help from an MSP. Not only will you save time with less research, you’ll end up saving money in the long-run.
Due to the experience of a Managed IT Service Provider, they will know what products and hardware are best for your needs. There are a lot of options when it comes to equipment. It can be difficult to navigate if you aren’t sure what you’re looking for.
Moreover, software licenses and other upfront costs can be expensive, especially for one business. Since an MSP has many clients, those costs can be covered by them.
3. You Have Unknown Vulnerabilities
Do you have backups in case of a disaster? Is your staff trained to not click on phishing emails?
While information technology should improve your productivity and efficiency, an overlooked aspect is your security posture. Without IT staff, it is difficult to stay up-to-date on security best practices. A Managed IT Service Provider will dedicate time to configure appropriate settings and perform maintenance to keep you secure.
Even with an internal department, large projects can be overwhelming. Consider outsourcing for some extra help.
4. You Have Repeat Problems Without Resolve
Let’s say one day you experience an issue with your email. You let the staff member with the most IT experience know, and they fix it for you. A week later, you’re getting the same issue. The same person fixes it. Great!
Two weeks later, it happens again. Now what?
An MSP has a diverse team that can consult one another and figure out problems more efficiently. More than likely, the staff is already familiar with this issue and get it resolved quickly.
5. Your Current IT Staff is Overwhelmed
A small team of IT professionals in-house can be great. You have someone at the office prepared to help with any day-to-day requests. The support is satisfactory and your staff is pleased.
Since technology changes rapidly, there are a lot projects or time-consuming responsibilities that may be too much for one or a few people to handle on top of everyday support. With the help of an MSP, your current IT would not have to do it all themselves. A Managed IT Service Provider can assist with projects, support, or other specific services.
6. You Have a Limited Budget
Depending on your business needs and goals, it may make more sense to get outsourced IT. While an in-house team has its benefits, you’d likely spend a lot of money on:
- Equipment and tools needed by staff
- Ongoing training
- Compensation and benefits
In addition, the hiring process can be time consuming. Working with a Managed Service Provider gives you predictable services and pricing, with the flexibility to work with your budget.
Bottom Line
You shouldn’t be distracted with IT problems. You can have internal IT, outsourced IT, or a mixture a both.
Consider an MSP to discuss your business goals and how it can help you. To learn more about Managed IT Services, visit our page.