Obviously, running a business is a huge undertaking. There is so much to do, and truthfully, a lot of small businesses tend to fail simply because the staff cannot keep up with their demands. As the owner of the business, a lot of these decisions and considerations fall to you, which can mean that you are stretched thin. Most businesses today will house some parts of their operations online; this makes IT support a must-have. The question then becomes whether you should outsource this support or build your own team in-house. Let’s get into it.
Data Safety & Security
Most businesses today rely on the internet for different aspects of the day-to-day running of the business, perhaps most notably, the storage of data. A lot of businesses today also take advantage of alternative working styles, like working remotely or adopting a hybrid approach. If staff are going to need IT support when working outside of the office, this can be challenging. With the right software, from expert suppliers like TSplus, your in-house team can access the devices of the staff remotely to fix the problem. If you choose to outsource, then that business will also be accessing the devices remotely to fix the problem. However, if your business deals with sensitive data, then allowing an independent business to access said data might not be the best idea. Choosing to keep this process in-house can help to ensure that the data isn’t compromised.
Either Way, it Frees You Up
Whether you choose to outsource your IT support needs or curate your own team in-house, in doing so, it can help to make sure that you are free to take care of your other responsibilities and obligations. As a manager, or the owner of the business, your time is precious; you need to ensure that your time management skills are tip-top. Arguably, setting up an in-house time and choosing the right company to outsource to can both be a long process. In that respect, one option is not necessarily quicker than the other to set up, they can both be time-consuming, but once they have been set up, then you are going to have a lot more time on your hands.
Industry Developments & Expertise
The IT industry continues to evolve as technology advances meaning that the best practices might also change over time. If you choose to outsource your IT support, then by the very nature of the business, the company that you choose to outsource to is likely to keep on top of industry developments as par for the course. However, if you choose to build your team in-house, then there is less of a guarantee that they will stay on top of industry developments – especially if their role begins to stagnate in terms of what they are asked to do on a daily basis. Of course, you can encourage your in-house team to stay up-to-date on industry developments and provide access to training courses and industry publications to encourage continual learning.
Which Option is the Most Affordable?
The last thing to consider is the affordability of both options. In order to find the most cost-effective option, you need to think about the needs of your business versus the budget that you are working with. If you want to build your own team in-house, then you need to think about how big the team is going to be, whether it is one person or a couple of people. Obviously, you need to offer a competitive salary in order to entice the best candidates. However, if your business only needs IT support occasionally, then outsourcing might be the more cost-effective option, especially if you can find a cheaper package which still gives you access to the level of support that you will need for the best possible price. Depending on who you outsource to, you might be able to negotiate the best package. Either way, you need to ensure that you can allocate the right budget to the endeavour going forward.
The Final Verdict
Realistically, it is hard to say whether or not hiring your own IT support team in-house will be worth it for your business. It depends on a number of factors, like the IT demands of your business and the type of budget that you are working with. Whether you choose to outsource or not, you will likely need to ensure access to IT support for the good of your business. IT issues can cost your business money in the loss of revenue caused by work stoppages and dips in productivity. Most businesses today rely on digital processes in one form or another, which does make IT support incredibly valuable for your business, so be sure to do some research and take the time to choose the right option for you.
