Your days are busy, and they’re usually never the same. Whether solving technical hardware challenges or mediating between departments about technology needs, you keep the IT infrastructure up and running—and it’s challenging.
The influx of projects on your plate makes it seem like there are never enough hours in the day to squeeze it all in (no matter how well you manage your time).
The challenge here is that many IT professionals like control. You’re drawn to the industry, in part, because through code, you can make the software do what you want it to do—almost all of the time! This gives you satisfaction.
So, giving up control to a third party can be scary. It doesn’t need to be. Learning to let go will make your life easier and improve your business at the same time. Now granted, you get blamed when things go wrong—even when it’s not your fault.
That’s why it’s important to trust your IT partner. I stress the word “partner” and not the usual “provider.” Partners work together and care about each other’s success (that’s what we do).
Why You Should Outsource IT
To use an extreme example, every company relies on electricity to operate, but we don’t build and maintain our own generators to power our offices.
To use a less extreme example, if your paycheck has ADP on it somewhere, your HR department has outsourced your payroll (which shows that even confidential information can be outsourced securely and effectively).
Many of IT's basic functions (such as backup and recovery, document storage, network, and security management) are becoming utilities. Like phones, they are necessary to stay in business, but they do not deliver a competitive advantage.
They’re just the cost of doing business, like the lights you flick on when you walk into the office each morning.
There’s a better way: managed IT services. We’ve compiled the following list of seven reasons why you should have a managed IT services provider in your life.
1. Expertise
Information technology is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of knowledge and areas of expertise. No one knows everything about IT.
IT professionals make careers in security, network management, help desk support, and data analytics. There are also cloud angles for all of those areas of knowledge. Plus, someone must combine all these elements into a coherent strategy.
And we’re not even talking about hardware like copiers, telephone systems, or business security cameras.
It’s hard enough to develop and maintain expertise in your business or industry. Developing and managing the in-house IT talent you need to operate your business can quickly become a problem.
Plus, IT staffing is hard—especially when you get outside of larger cities.
2. Implement New Technology Quickly
A great IT services partner allows you to implement technology faster in two ways.
First, instead of finding the right people, training them, and providing the necessary support, you will have support from the beginning from professionals who bring years of experience, saving you time, money, and hassle.
Secondly, any existing IT staff can focus on turning your IT infrastructure into a competitive advantage.
3. Reduce Costs
As you probably already know, there’s the cost of IT staffing: the salary and the HR management that goes with it. Plus, there’s the cost of buying your own equipment... and upgrades... and software... and replacing worn and/or out-of-date equipment.
Don’t forget the need to invest in your IT staff’s knowledge with training and conferences and allow them time to stay current on the latest IT trends.
Now, depending on what you outsource (if you outsource backup, for example, you won’t need to buy backup tape drives or servers because you’re paying for the storage and service expertise only.
You might still need to purchase hardware and software, but you won't need to buy as much, and you’ll have predictable budgeting for the remainder of your outsourced services.
With managed IT services, you pay a fixed monthly rate, so you don’t have to deal with variable costs, making budgeting more straightforward.
4. Increase Productivity Company-wide
With someone else tending to your IT needs, you and the rest of the staff now have the time to focus on what you should be focusing on.
And since everyone’s time will be better spent, you’ll see an increase in productivity, which technically is a cost savings now that you don’t have to hire more people to handle your IT workload.
5. Getting Time Back
While we’re on the topic of time, IT folks are human (mostly) and need to take at least some time off. Plus, they do get sick.
What happens to your network when a server goes down, and your IT guy or gal is down with the flu? You're basically out of business for the day unless you bring in a third party as an emergency.
6. Planning
A Virtual CIO (vCIO) is a component of many managed IT services plans. An experienced vCIO will ensure that a business’s IT infrastructure will support its current and future business goals.
Learn more about a vCIO by reading our article, Good vCIO vs. Bad vCIO: Here’s What to Look For.
7. 24/7 Monitoring and Support
Again, internal IT staff need time off. In addition to the knowledge and time needed to continually upgrade and patch network security, the network also needs to be monitored.
One huge benefit of managed IT services is the continuous monitoring of your network. Often, a service provider is able to fix an issue before a client even knows there is (was) one.
The Final Say: Your Business Deserves Managed IT Outsourcing
Now that you are more familiar with some of the top benefits of managed IT services, what's your next best step? As you continue on your IT journey, it's important to learn how to find a great managed IT team—as every managed IT company is different. To do so, make sure to read this article next: How to Find The Best Managed IT Services Company Near Me.
