The Pros & Cons Of Outsourcing IT Support

October 23, 2020 | By: Scott Lard

Many essential business tasks rely on IT infrastructure to operate. Whether it’s the management of desktop computers, tablets, and mobile phones or the implementation of innovative hardware and software to run or grow the business, having a successful IT department is key to most modern businesses’ success. To keep IT infrastructures operating at peak performance, companies must rely on their IT department, whether that IT department is on-staff, outsourced, or a combination of both.

For many, outsourcing IT support is a cost-effective option that provides comprehensive IT support with many unique benefits. But for others, there are cons that keep them from making the leap to outsourced IT. Here, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of outsourcing your IT support to help you make an educated decision.

IT Support Done Off Site

The Pros of Outsourcing IT Support

There are many benefits to outsourcing your IT support, whether partially or wholly. For many businesses, outsourcing their IT to an experienced IT support company helps them save money on operating costs by streamlining their approach to IT while also supporting their employees comprehensively. By partnering with a Managed Services Provider, or an MSP, business owners enter into an agreement that outlines performance measures as well as fixed costs. This helps keep providers financially motivated to provide the best possible IT support services and to meet client standards.
In addition, businesses are assured that they have constant and varied support, as MSPs have an ample staff which are experts in various areas of IT. A provider who specializes only in IT support is more capable to handle special IT issues and typically has a wider availability than on-staff IT professionals. Even if your business already has an IT team, outsourced support can be a great addition, giving your team freedom to focus on their core objectives while the outsourced team handles day to day issues and specialized projects.
With the advancements in modern technology, third-party IT providers can become more a part of your organization than ever before. With screen sharing technology, video meetings, active monitoring, and in-person services when needed, you can rest assured that your outsourced IT provider is tied into your organization and ready to assist swiftly and effectively.

The Cons of Outsourcing IT Support

For some, outsourcing IT support to a third-party provider is too big of a change from “business as usual”. Those who are not proponents of outsourced IT claim that, despite evidence to the contrary, outsourced IT support does not offer the same level of control, growth, and success of an in-house IT department.
Some executives used to more traditional ways of doing things feel that outsourcing means giving up control of their business’s IT or that performance metrics won’t be met since the IT providers are not in the office. Others think outsourcing IT means they will have to get rid of valuable IT staff members or that the services will cost more than their current IT budget. However, generally that is not the case. Service level agreements outline cost, performance expectations, and services offered to ensure standards are met. And many businesses find that by outsourcing maintenance and other basic IT services, their team can better achieve long-term IT goals.

prosPros & Cons Of Outsourcing IT Support

To Outsource or Not to Outsource?

Like any business decision, whether or not your company should outsource your IT support to a third-party is a big choice that should be made based on your business’s specific circumstances and unique goals. Generally, outsourcing IT support is beneficial, and the pros outweigh the cons if you partner with the right IT support provider. To ensure your business only reaps the benefits of outsourcing, consider the following factors before choosing a provider:

  • Experience
  • Reputation
  • Services Offered
  • Service Level Agreement Details

If you find a provider with years of experience, positive client reviews, and services and agreements that align with your business goals, outsourcing may be a great choice for your business.

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