Many businesses have outsourced their IT departments and don’t regret it. Outsourcing is a way for companies to save time, money, and headache by tapping into the expertise of other professionals. But some risks come with outsourcing, too. The decision to outsource their IT services and when it should be in a house depends on the size of their businesses, what technology they use, and how much of a problem it is for them to maintain IT infrastructure.
There has to be a cost evaluation to determine the best route to go. For instance, if their companies are so small that they cannot afford the service or their employees to take care of the IT department, then they may not have a choice but to outsource. This is a common route for small businesses such as restaurants and coffee shops. But if their companies are medium-sized and can afford an in-house IT department, it will offer more flexibility to service its clients better. Here are reasons why they should outsource their IT.
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Savings on software licensing and hardware
Outsourcing their IT can save them a lot on software licensing on hardware. Companies that use or rent their space from another company usually have to pay an additional fee for the software and hardware they need. This is not the case with outsourcing. The outsourcer will already have all the equipment and install it at no extra charge. Unlike in-house IT, they do not have to worry about upgrading their software licenses every time they expire. This way, they can save money on software and hardware necessary for their businesses.
They can hire professionals with different skills
With an outsourced IT department, they can hire a group of IT professionals that are experts in different sectors and do not have the same skills. For example, suppose they are a medical business. In that case, they may need to have some specialized computer equipment for storing data that only a certain group of IT professionals have the expertise in dealing with. With outsourcing, they will not have to hire someone good at everything because the outsourcer will take care of all their needs. They can ensure that their offices will be up and running with the most updated computer equipment.
They can control their access to the Internet and sensitive data
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If they use an in-house IT department, their data is not always safe from intruders or hackers. But if they choose to outsource their IT department, then the outsourcer will install software capable of blocking any unauthorized users from accessing their network or computers. Outsourcing allows them to store all sensitive data on hard drives and servers provided by them. This way, they are sure that their information and data are safe, and the network will not be affected by viruses or other malicious software.
They can enjoy better IT support
Their in-house IT department may offer support that their outsourcer cannot. If their companies have a problem with their computers, they’ll have to deal with it within the company. In some cases, they may also have to hire technical personnel from outsourcing companies to fix problems if the internal IT staff are busy dealing with other issues. If they outsource, then they will have better IT support. Their outsourcers will have all the equipment and software needed to fix any problem without needing tech support from another company. The best part is that if they wish to upgrade their computer or software, it becomes just a matter of buying new licenses and downloads.
Their data is not affected by viruses or other harmful programs running on their network
When a company uses an in-house IT department, employees can bring viruses and other harmful programs home on their laptops or mobile devices and access their company’s network. Once inside, these malicious programs let hackers and intruders access the company’s files. This becomes problematic, especially if the business has sensitive data that needs to be protected from prying eyes. When they outsource their IT department, all their data will be stored in a server not connected to any network or computers. Hence, there is no risk of getting their data infected or accessed by hackers and intruders. The outsourcer will also install antivirus software to protect their data from harm.
More time to focus on their business operations
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With an outsourced IT department, they don’t have to worry about equipment replacement and upgrades because these are done by the company that provides the service for a fee. Hence they will have more time to focus on their business and operations instead of being bogged down with IT problems.
Have a better quality of service from the outsourcer than the one they can provide themselves. If they outsource their IT department, they will have professionals who are experts in their field take care of all their computer needs. These professionals know how to handle sensitive data and keep it secure. They also learn about network security and the latest technology that can be integrated into their company’s network. When they outsource their IT, they will have one of the best services they can get. Since the outsourcer has all these valuable skills, it is in a better position to provide a good quality of service than if their company hires someone to do it.
There’s no limit to what they need
When they outsource their IT department, they can always have a new computer or other hardware needs. They do not have to worry about exhausting the budget for the hardware and software they need. This way, they will be able to purchase what they need without rebuilding their budget.
If they opt for an in-house IT department, some fees come with it. These fees may be hard to predict and will mostly be determined by how long they need the service. For example, if they terminate their IT services, there are usually cancellation fees that will cost them more money. But if they outsource it, the outsourcer can stop the service without charging a termination fee. The same case goes for business changes. They have to inform them about what’s happening with their business, and they can prepare for it without worrying about penalty fees from changing the agreement made between both companies.
Their data is secure
When they choose to use an in-house IT department, the system and network may be compromised by malware. A hacker could gain access to their system and find information that is not good for the company. For this reason, they will have better security when they choose to outsource their IT department. All their data will be safely stored in a server not connected to any network or computers. Therefore, there is no risk of getting their data infected or accessed by hackers or intruders. The outsourcer will also install antivirus software to protect their data from harm.
They have better customer service that is friendly, quick and efficient
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When they use an in-house IT department, they deal with complaints and issues that can arise with their systems or computer equipment. If they outsource it to experts, they will be able to handle these issues quickly and efficiently from the beginning to the end because they already have all the knowledge needed to address such problems.
Conclusion
IT outsourcing is a manageable business for any company, big or small. Outsourcing their IT department does benefit not only them but also the company that is working with them, a great example of one that services the Phoenix area is MyTek. They will have a reliable IT service at an affordable cost and will be able to focus more on their business instead of being bogged down by technical issues.
