There’s a misconception that permeates the business world.
Why pay someone else to do something you can do on your own?
It’s a concept that many companies struggle with, and that sees them investing money year on year into internal teams. The thinking is that bringing someone into your operations will provide more benefit to your business than outsourcing your needs. But, in truth, internal IT teams in particular often become inundated with the minutia of managing and maintaining systems. They have become reactive rather than proactive. And it’s causing frustration for team members and management alike.
Outsourcing your IT services, on the other hand, offer businesses a range of benefits that often exceed expectations.
We’ve put together a list of 5 immediate advantages of outsourcing IT services. And we’ve even included 5 hidden advantages that most companies don’t even realise outsourced services can address.
5 Immediate Advantages of Outsourced IT Services
These 5 advantages of IT outsourcing are some of the main reasons that businesses opt to outsource their IT needs. Their impacts are almost instant, but the effects are certainly lasting.
1. Advanced Level Of IT Expertise
When you outsource your IT needs, you’re just getting an individual. You’re getting a whole team of experts, who have experience in a vast range of areas.
2. Enhanced Security
Along with that expertise that outsourced IT companies are able to offer comes a range of tools that many companies would not be able to afford, or have the time to effectively manage, on their own. These include tools for monitoring and analysing your network and server. These tools provide a higher level of security than most businesses, either large or small, can implement on their own.
Plus, outsourced companies are better equipped to handle the intricacies of existing security procedures. From ensuring that updates are immediately implemented, to helping businesses with access control.
3. Time Efficiency
Time is a commodity that is often underrated, particularly when it comes to business. So many companies spend inordinate amounts of time first finding the right people to fill their internal IT teams. And those teams in turn spend time managing day-to-day tasks that could easily be automated. And then there is the time that gets spent reacting to problems that teams have little experience in. Of all the advantages of outsourcing IT services, time is the most valuable asset that you gain.
4. Undivided Attention
Without needing to concern themselves with upkeep and maintenance, imagine the focus your internal teams will be able to take advantage of. No more constant interruptions and troubleshooting, and no more endless reacting to issues as they arise. Your internal IT team will have the opportunity to work on the projects that drive your business forward. Rather than simply keeping it afloat.
5. Availability
Every person that forms part of your internal team comes with ‘limitations’, so to speak. They are only available between certain hours and on certain days. They are entitled to holidays, sick leave, and time for family commitments. This can make juggling availability difficult.
When you outsource your IT needs, on the other hand, you have a whole team available to you 24/7, 365 days of the year. They’re ready to help with any problem that you may experience. There’s no overtime to consider, no weekends to work around. Just absolute availability whenever you need it
Even Google Doesn't Try To Do It Alone - Why Should You?
5 Hidden Advantages of Outsourcing IT Services
While the 5 IT outsourcing benefits listed above are the ones most often touted, and most immediately experienced, there are 5 additional advantages of outsourcing IT services that many businesses don’t even realise.
1. Scalability
By outsourcing your IT needs, you have the opportunity to grow your business. Or to reduce your resources, as you see fit. In the uncertain times that we find ourselves in, the flexibility to either hire an IT company on a retainer basis, or to bring them on when a specific project is needed, can be the difference between success and failure.
2. Improved Productivity
Beyond the focus that outsourcing your IT needs offers to your IT team in particular, having an IT support team on standby to address any IT issues that may arise makes all employees more productive. Your teams throughout the company will be able to work more efficiently. Small problems with networks and devices can be resolved quickly and easily. There’s no need to take a member of your internal IT team away from their already busy day and have them search for the issue before finding a way to resolve it.
3. Cost-Efficiency
A lot of businesses are put off the idea of outsourcing their IT needs because they think that hiring a person internally is more cost effective. This is not the case. Outsourced IT often costs less than a monthly salary, especially the salary of an experienced IT pro. The impact that they can have in terms of quick resolutions to issues can save businesses further expenses as well. Often making them the most cost-effective solution.
4. Positive Work Environment
Working in a high-stress environment where issues and problems are frequent foes can have a huge impact on your company culture. It adds unnecessary pressure, and results in a tense work environment for all involved. Having an external team to handle these issues, and allowing your employees to work on meaningful projects that have a positive impact on your business, will see your company culture shifting from one of stress and pressure, to one of growth and excitement.
5. Plan For the Future
When you work with an outsourced IT service provider, you are not just gaining the expertise needed to address existing issues. You are partnering with a team of people who can help you not just use the technologies that you already have, but can work with you to find tech that will see your business stepping into the future with confidence.
Whether the advantages of outsourcing IT services are obvious or hidden, it is clear that partnering with an IT company that has experience in a wide range of IT outsourcing areas is beneficial for any business. It’s all about finding the right partner, one who cares about your business’ interests and goals. At Solid Systems, we’ve spent 18 years helping companies around South Africa and the UK find the right technologies that see them not just succeeding, but excelling. Contact us today to find out how we could be helping your business to do the same.
