When you operate a small business, you need to economize whenever possible. This could mean employees must wear several hats in order to get your daily business tasks completed. However, one of the tasks you could outsource that would provide you significant benefits is IT support. In addition to relieving a burden from an employee who may already have a lot on their plate, you will also maximize the level of IT in your business.
Continuous Monitoring
When you outsource IT, you are provided around the clock monitoring, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When you hire someone to manage your IT, you are at the mercy of the workday clock as well as sick or vacation days. Outsourced support gives you a technician when you need it and can help prevent major issues before they occur.
IT Knowledge
Your administrative assistant may be able to handle the IT fires that sprout up through the day, but that does not make them an expert in IT problems. When you outsource IT support, you have access to multiple experts with experience in hardware, software, servers, networks and more. Even if you hire an in-house IT expert, they still have limited knowledge, and they must sometimes call in an expert for a complicated issue. By outsourcing, the experts are already on call and available, saving you time and money.
Meet Changing IT Needs
As your company grows, your IT support needs grow as well. Even if you hired the perfect IT person when your company was small, they may not be the right fit when your company grows larger. By outsourcing, you can bridge any gaps between what you need currently and what you will need in the future.
Free Up Employee Time
If you are currently relying on other staff members to manage your IT issues, outsourcing will free up the time they are spending on something unrelated to their position. If you have an IT team, outsourcing some of your IT needs will allow them to focus on the crucial components your company needs to run smoothly. For instance, your team can focus on troubleshooting while the outsource company can handle backups, software setup and training or monitoring during off hours.
Lowered IT Costs
It may seem as if outsourcing would cost more than simply hiring an in-house expert, but the opposite is actually true. When you outsource, you only pay for what you need. You also eliminate the salary for an IT person as well as the taxes and benefits that will be required as part of that position. You may also reduce the amount of in-house hardware and technology you will need to keep your IT running smoothly. Outsourcing IT support offers many benefits, especially if your company is growing. Outsourcing allows you to expand your IT needs while keeping costs down. It also provides you with better monitoring and frees up your staff for other duties.
Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan finds happiness in researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. You can connect with her on Facebook right here and Twitter right here.
