The Benefits of IT Outsourcing

Credit: Arlington Research

Between the rate of technological expansion and the many complex systems already in use, hiring an in-house IT team is like running a second business. 

While it’s nice to have a dedicated team, it can be expensive and difficult to manage. For many organizations, the solution comes in the form of outsourced managed IT services.

Many organizations gain a competitive advantage when they choose to outsource their IT needs to a managed service provider (MSP). Not only is it cost-effective, but it offers businesses an opportunity to leverage a deeper level of expertise. 

In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 benefits of outsourcing IT services. By understanding the pros and cons of partnering with an MSP, you can decide what’s best for your business.

Advantages of Outsourcing IT Services

The field of information technology is inextricably linked to every part of your operations. So it’s essential to have competent experts at your disposal. Let’s take a tour of the top 10 advantages of IT outsourcing.

1. Broader Talent Pool

One of the best things about working with an outsourced IT team is the access to a broader talent pool. Whatever issues arise, an outsourced team is more likely to have the diverse technical backgrounds needed to address the problem—whether it’s network performance, scalability, workflow, compliance, or cybersecurity.

2.  Optimized Coverage 

Maintaining an in-house IT team means they’re solely devoted to your business. But, when it comes time to log off for the day, you’re left with serious gaps in IT coverage. With the right outsourced IT service provider, you’ll minimize potential downtime while optimizing coverage.

3. Reduce Costs

Even with the IT coverage gaps on nights, weekends, and holidays, running an in-house team is still more expensive than round-the-clock outsourcing. And though your in-house staff can handle most surface-level IT issues, they often lack the depth of knowledge and specialization offered by a highly certified MSP.

4. Predictable Pricing Models

Many organizations worry about hidden fees. And yet, the likelihood of encountering sudden expenses is higher with an in-house IT team. Experienced MSP companies provide predictable pricing models that incorporate disaster preparation and planned management of updates and repairs, largely eliminating emergency response purchases.

5. Advanced Cybersecurity

Having access to cybersecurity experts and 24/7 surveillance reduces the probability of a serious data breach. This can quite literally save you millions of dollars. Moreover, in the event of a disaster in your data center or network, an MSP can provide you with disaster recovery services and a business continuity plan.

Credit: Taylor Vick

6. Access to Vendor Relationships

Almost every MSP is well-connected when it comes to vendor partnerships. Whether your business is in need of software or hardware, your MSP can provide leads and insight into the right technologies for your business. Not only will this save you time, it’ll help you avoid hidden fees and unnecessary expenses.

7. Align IT With Your Business Goals

Partnering with a reputable MSP allows you to focus on your core business activities. Organizations who have successfully outsourced the management of their IT infrastructure can quickly scale their operations without the cost and headache of expanding their in-house team. This lightweight agility translates to a long-term competitive advantage in your industry.

8. Improve Digital Strategy

Perhaps one of the lesser known IT outsourcing advantages is the ability to improve your strategic direction. The best MSP companies can equip your business with a virtual Chief Information Officer (vCIO). The vCIO can help optimize your use of technology, providing an annual budget and roadmap alongside detailed reporting and analytics.

9. Maintain Regulatory Compliance

As if your day-to-day operations weren’t enough to worry about, regulatory compliance can be an enormous time-vampire. Meeting and maintaining regulatory compliance across different agencies (like NIST, CCPA, EU GDPR, PCI, and HIPPA to name but a few) can be a job in itself. By partnering with a competent MSP, you can avoid expensive downtime by making sure you always adhere to compliance standards.

10. Be Competitive

Many smaller and medium-sized businesses lack the digital knowledge and resources available to larger organizations. By partnering with a trusted MSP, your business can leverage cutting-edge technologies and expertise without torching your budget. In the final analysis of IT outsourcing advantages and disadvantages, this is one of the most underrated benefits.

Disadvantages of Outsourcing IT Services

Of course, there are some disadvantages of outsourcing. For instance, if your enterprise is very large, it may be worth having an in-house team that knows your business intimately. 

Moreover, unless you partner with an outsourced company that offers round-the-clock dedicated technical support and IT services, ticket response times may be delayed.

Nevertheless, the cons of IT outsourcing don’t outweigh the pros; both of the problems mentioned above can be mitigated by partnering with the right company for your needs. 

Before settling on any particular company, business owners should discuss their expectations with a managed services provider.

Leverage IT Outsourcing Benefits for Your Business With Intellicomp

Whether for small businesses, medium-sized enterprises, or large organizations, outsourcing IT support can save your business money, improve security, boost productivity, and help take your business to the next level. 

Now that you understand the IT outsourcing pros and cons, it’s time to consider what’s best for your business.

At Intellicomp, we offer a wide range of managed IT services backed by more than 21 years of experience. Some of our services include:

• Cloud services
• vCIO for startups
• Network support services
• Private cloud in Maryland
• Proactive IT management 
• US-based IT support teams
• System monitoring services
• Integrated cybersecurity and SOC
• Data backup and business continuity
• Four-layer support and services team
• And much more

Contact us today to learn more about the IT outsourcing pros and cons for your business.