Tackling IT is no small task. When you're trying to run a business, the last thing you want to devote time to is technical difficulties with your servers, devices, or software.
Many businesses decide to outsource It to managed service providers (MSPs) instead of hiring an in-house IT technician. There are many reasons for this, including lower costs associated with outsourcing, more robust offerings, and less oversight needed.
However, outsourcing isn't for everyone. If you think managed IT services might not be a good fit for your business, you should know what to expect. To help you make the right decision for your business, here's an overview of what you may experience if you keep your IT in-house.
1. Slower Network Speeds
Since many businesses with in-house IT don't regularly update servers, you may experience slower network speeds if you opt out of IT infrastructure services. As servers and devices age, they will inevitably slow down in efficiency and speed.
Some businesses rely on fast networks to optimize business operations and revenue generation. However, if you're ok with a slower network and a few technical outages once in a while, it may be best for you to stick with in-house IT.
2. Cheaper IT, Longer Downtimes
One major deterrent associated with outsourced IT services for small businesses is concerns over cost-effectiveness. After all, at around $150 per seat per month, IT services can seem expensive if you don't see enough value in your provider's offerings.
The good news: if you stick with handling your IT internally, you'll save on the monthly costs of an IT contract. Keep in mind, though, that this means you'll forego the advanced, efficient technical support and network security services MSPs can offer.
This could mean longer downtimes and lost revenue when your internal team tries to resolve major issues, while more minor issues stack up and overload the team.
3. Higher In-House Costs
One common misconception is that in-house technicians are less expensive than IT providers. Often, the skyrocketing market rates for IT, cybersecurity, and cloud computing specialists vastly outpace the total yearly costs of MSP contracts.
Some of the costs associated with hiring an IT technician include:
- Paid leave
- Supplemental pay
- Insurance
- Retirement & savings
- Legally required benefits
These expenses can add up - especially since total costs increase with rising average salaries for IT professionals, which are often well over $100,000 per year.
To read a full breakdown of the true costs of in-house IT, read our blog: Are You Spending Too Much on In-House IT?
4. Immediate In-House Support, Weaker Capabilities
Another reason businesses don't outsource technology management is that they want immediate on-premises support on-demand. For this reason, they will hire in-house professionals and create internal IT departments.
However, with the rapidly advancing landscape of information technology, you most likely won't be able to hire one or a few IT technicians with all the necessary experience. Because of this skill gap, you may have a harder time scaling your business or expanding your IT capabilities.
5. More Oversight=More Time Spent on IT
Sometimes, businesses pass up on outsourcing because they prefer to have more oversight and control over their technology infrastructure.
Although handling IT yourself gives you more oversight, consider the revenue-generating activities you could be focusing on instead of technology.
Properly securing and optimizing your business's network while effectively troubleshooting daily issues takes quite a bit of time. If you have a team of just yourself or 1-5 technicians, this workload can quickly get overwhelming.
If you're fine with the time necessary to take on IT internally, managed IT might not be for you. If you are frequently overloaded by technical snags, however, it may be worth your while to explore IT networking support.
What Do You Get With IT Contracts?
If you looked at the above details on what it looks like to manage IT business solutions internally and you're still unsure about the best decision, you should know what you get with IT service plans. Typically, remote tech support for small businesses offer high level services including:
- Day-to-day technical assistance
- Strategic planning and long-term technology roadmaps
- Network and tech stack audits
- Hardware and software updates and replacement plans
- Virtual Chief Information Officers to assist with large-scale IT projects
- Vendor management
- Cybersecurity products and services
This is not a full list of what you'll get when you work with an MSP, but it's a solid idea of different services offered to help you achieve your business goals. To learn more about managed IT and what it entails, read our blog: What Are Managed IT Services?
Find a Network Support Company To Avoid Common IT Mistakes
Overall, whether in-house or managed IT is right for your business depends on a number of factors, and it's up to you to determine whether you're a good fit. You can see a more in-depth comparison in our blog: Outsourced Managed IT services VS. In-house IT support
If you're ready to learn more about how IT services can help you achieve your business objectives while reducing costs and giving you peace of mind, click the button below to speak with an expert.
