Outsourcing vs. In-House IT Services: Which Is Best for You?
There’s a reason why worldwide spending on IT services has reached a massive $4.5 trillion. These days, IT services, once optional for many businesses, have become a necessity. And, sadly, this can be a problem for many companies.
The reality is that bringing on an in-house IT service can be a costly and time-consuming endeavor. However, the solution might lie in managed IT services. So, which one is better for your specific needs? Outsourcing vs in-house IT services?
If you want to learn the answer to this question, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll walk you through the pros and cons associated with each type of service. That way, you can pick what option works best for you.
Advantages of Outsourcing IT
First, let’s start with the benefits that come when you outsource your IT services. First and foremost, it’s usually more affordable. Since you don’t need to hire, train and provide benefits to your IT employees you can save a lot of money.
Next, you also have access to a much wider talent pool. IT solutions require a variety of different specialties. It’s impossible to find an individual that knows it all, so your team should reflect a wide variety of individuals with different expertise.
Outsourcing can make these people easier to find. You also get access to more office space and resources. Since you don’t need to make space for a physical IT department, it means that you can use your office in new ways.
Finally, it allows you to focus on your business. With a managed service you no longer have to worry about an IT problem ruining your day. This gives you time and energy to focus on your customers and products.
Disadvantages of Outsourcing IT
Unfortunately, outsourcing IT isn’t a perfect solution. One con is that the quality of the managed services can vary widely from provider to provider. As such, it can require some effort to find a good one.
There can also be management issues. With managed services you don’t get quite the level of control that you would from an in-house provider. Finally, there are communication problems.
Sometimes a provider might not fully explain their reasoning behind fixing an issue. Or, maybe the employer doesn’t fully explain the company’s mission. Regardless, poor communication is often an initial problem with managed services.
Advantages of In House IT Services
The biggest advantage of an in-house IT service team is control. At the end of the day, you dictate what problems or projects the IT team handles. It’s also helpful to have on-site help in some cases.
If there’s a problem that arises for someone, then this is usually the fastest way to fix it. Finally, it allows you to develop your talent pool.
While it can be harder to find qualified individuals, you’re completely responsible for their training. That means that you can shape them to fit whatever role that you want.
Disadvantages of In House IT Services
However, there are a lot of disadvantages that come with in-house managed it services. For one thing, it’s expensive. It’s also quite difficult to recruit qualified individuals. You will likely need to devote a lot of time and resources to find them.
That’s not even including the training that comes with it. And, at the end of the day, nothing is stopping an individual from quitting if they don’t like the position.
This can be incredibly frustrating if you put a lot of time, effort, and money into hiring them.
Outsourcing vs In House: Which Works Better for Your Business?
At this point, you’re probably wondering which option is better for your specific business: outsourcing or in-house IT services. Ultimately, the answer depends on what you want out of your IT services.
For example, complete control over a specific project, then in-house might be the better option. Similarly, if you need long-term IT support, or your company handles potentially sensitive information, then in the house might be a better choice.
So, when should you choose to outsource? For starters, this option is ideal if you’re working with a limited budget, or you’re on a tight deadline when it comes to your IT needs. It’s also good for people who just require short-term IT help.
Finally, consider in-house options if you don’t have an IT expert that’s currently working for you, or you don’t feel like training a whole team.
How to Find the Best Managed IT Services
If you’ve decided that in-house IT services are the right option for you, then it’s time to find a good one. Sadly, not all managed IT services are created equally. The reality is that there are a lot of subpar ones out there.
So, how do you avoid them? First, look for one that has a lot of years of experience in the industry. Ideally, they should have 20+ years of experience, like these IT Services.
However, they should also be able to provide you with custom solutions to your IT needs. At the end of the day, one of the biggest benefits that come with managed IT services is flexibility. So, make sure the business is flexible when catering to you.
Want More Content? Keep Reading
We hope this article helped you decide which option is better for your needs: outsourcing vs in-house IT services. As we mentioned, at the end of the day each different business will have different needs.
As such, you shouldn’t be afraid to get creative with your solutions. In some cases, it might be appropriate to have a small in-house team, while outsourcing specific services to a managed company.
That way, you get the best of both worlds. Did you enjoy this article? If the answer is yes, then you’re in the right place. Keep exploring to find more topics that you’re sure to love.