In-House vs. Outsourced IT Support: Which Is Right For Your Business?

Getting an in-house or outsourced IT support team for your business is always a good idea. Each setup has its advantages, and it is within the management’s prerogative to choose which arrangement is best.

You must know the IT needs of your business to know what kind of IT team to hire. If you’re still unsure, this article lists the advantages of each setup to help you determine the best one for your business:

Benefits Of Outsourcing IT Support

Many firms offer IT support services to various types of companies. Some of these IT firms specialize in cyber security services. These days, companies have to be cautious when it comes to potential cyber-attacks and threats. Whether small or big businesses, anyone can be a victim of cyber criminals and malicious hackers.

Working with an outsourced IT team may mean you don’t get to pick the people behind them, but you are still guaranteed to have experts on your side. Below are some more benefits of outsourcing:

1. More Flexibility

When you outsource IT staff, you can work on seasonal projects and save on operational costs. This is perfect, especially if your company does not rely solely on IT technology and has lesser needs in terms of technical maintenance. With fewer in-house staff, you don’t need to invest in additional equipment or office space either.

2. Access To Industry Experts

Professionals from IT firms focus on improving the services they offer. You can be assured that they have more knowledge of the latest trends in IT, cybersecurity, and compliance. It’s important to be working with skilled personnel who can work on solutions to resolve security breaches.

With knowledgeable and experienced IT professionals at your helm, you don’t have to spend resources and money on training in-house staff or even investing in new tools and software.

3. Cost-Effective Alternative

As mentioned, you don’t need to spend a lot of resources when you choose to hire an outsourced IT support team. That’s because unlike regular employees, you only have to pay a fixed fee to the firm. You don’t have to spend on employee benefits, perks, or even overtime pay.

Aside from that, you don’t need to invest in any equipment, software, or tools. You don’t even need to set aside office space to accommodate a new team. All in all, it may be the most cost-effective option for any business.

4. They Have The Right Tools And Equipment

With outsourced IT firms, you can have immediate access to senior-level expertise without going through a tedious screening and hiring process. Working with outsourced experts also means that you’re working with professionals who are using up-to-date technology to work on your project. This includes the latest hardware, software, and even tools or apps.

Reasons To Hire In-House IT Support

In-house IT support can be costly to establish, especially for startup businesses. The main advantage, however, is that you get to have a dedicated team who will look over the IT needs of the business. Below are some more reasons why an in-house IT support department is worthy of consideration:

1. You Have More Control

When you hire your own team, you’ll have management and supervisory control over your personnel. Basically, as the employer, you can direct them on how to perform their tasks, and expect them to implement projects the way you want them to.

You also have more control over the response times and the training your team receives. You can also decide in which areas the budget is needed. Hiring an in-house employee allows you to choose the department’s direction and prioritize important tasks.

2. You Can Expect Faster Response Times

When you have IT support employees in your office, they can respond quickly to any issues that may come up during work hours. Since they’re in the same office working with other teams, you can rely on them anytime to be proactive and resolve any issues immediately.

In-house IT support can immediately work on solutions to system errors, ensuring that there will be fewer downtimes in the company. They can also teach other employees to prevent common problems from reoccurring.

3. Customized Solutions Through Proper Collaboration

In-house IT staff will be obliged to get to know the rest of the team and collaborate with them. Since they work within the premises, they can easily find out what your business needs and what the most common problems are. With that, it’s easier for them to devise strategies that will address the needs and reoccurring problems of the business. Aside from that, they can help other employees adapt to new technology and employ the best IT practices.

In Conclusion

Outsourcing labor and in-house IT services have their benefits. It’s only a matter of which one fits your business needs. The benefits listed above might help you come up with a decision. Another huge factor to consider is the budget. Between the two, outsourcing IT support is the most affordable option.