Outsourcing – Let Someone Else Take Care of Your IT, While You Focus On Your Business

In our last article we focused on why IT support should be much more than an insurance policy. Many business owners, however, cannot afford to hire an entire IT department, or do not want the hassle of managing one. While some do manage without, the majority outsource.

IT outsourcing refers to the process of handing some or all of your IT infrastructure to an external company. Outsourcing IT services is ideal for companies without the budget or space to host a dedicated IT department.

Why outsourcing is the answer

A lower cost of operation

Setting up an in-house IT department to support a growing business can be very expensive. An IT professional can command a salary of £45k or more, but despite their experience, they will still have gaps in their knowledge. When you outsource your IT, you’ll have access to a larger team with a wide variety of specialisations, which will mean that knowledge gaps, illness, holidays and out-of-hours emergencies are less likely to affect your business. 

More time to run your business

Managing your IT infrastructure on your own is likely to lead to you losing valuable time you could be dedicating to implementing better business strategies. You can free up this time by outsourcing your IT support to a reputable company, and leave the complicated work to them.

Take advantage of the latest technology

Maybe you know a little about computers, but do you really know about the newest developments in IT? Outsourced IT providers are in the forefront of the industry, which means they have all the latest news and updates so that they can help your business capitalise on new advances and trends.

Improve your productivity

By distributing IT tasks among existing staff, you may feel like you’re saving money. In reality, you’re probably not getting as much done as you would like, as you’re just reducing productivity. Rather than hoping your existing employees can handle IT problems, let them focus on their roles, while an outsourced IT team gives you on-demand expertise to solve problems as they arise.

Outsourcing can pose risks

Nothing comes without risk. It is important to consider these factors before you outsource your IT needs.

The loss of control over your data

When you entrust your sensitive information to a third party, you cannot always guarantee what will happen to it. Keeping information internal gives you better control over where and how it is handled. Make sure you choose an outsourced provider who adheres to industry standards and practices regarding data security to mitigate this risk

Outsourcing IT functions that are complicated

It may be challenging to get up and running with an outsourced IT provider if your company’s IT infrastructure is unusually complex. It is possible to overcome this challenge with a little time, patience, and a competent IT provider. Be aware that you may have a slightly slower start if your function is very complex.

Losing ownership of your IT infrastructure

Although this is a fairly rare problem, it can be easily avoided by choosing a trustworthy provider. Make sure you are cautious of providers who may introduce their own hardware or software and then demand it back when your contract is over.

Choosing an IT provider

There are many out there, so how do you go about choosing the right one? Here are 4 important things you should be looking out for when choosing:

The providers track record

Providers should be able to demonstrate their suitability for your business through case studies and success stories. In addition, you may want to check out testimonials and references. Using these will help you determine their reputation.

The range of services they provide

There are some providers who are full-service, meaning they can address all of the aspects of your cloud and IT needs. On the other hand, others may be able to help you with different aspects of your technology puzzle. It is important to carefully consider your needs before choosing a provider, and ensure that the one you choose can meet them.

Their response time

There are a variety of reasons why your network may go down, preventing your employees from working and your clients from contacting you. High-quality providers can help you avoid this, but they should also respond immediately if an incident occurs in order to mitigate risks and keep your business running.

Security and Backup

Protecting your data from cyber attacks is one of the most important things a provider can do for you. It is important that they recommend robust security systems and endpoint protection to combat malicious software.

It is also important that they implement backup software, so that in the event of a breach you can retrieve your data. By implementing a failproof backup system and strategy, you can run your business more confidently.

While price is an important consideration when choosing an IT support provider, make sure they are right for your business – even if that means spending more. A reputable team can help you stay on top of your competition by offering high-end expertise, customised services, and an understanding of threats.

Bringing better IT to SMEs across the UK

CloudHost Limited was created with the mission to bring better IT support to small and midsize businesses across the UK. Backed by world-class technology, as well as a dedicated and knowledgeable support team, we allow organisations to build, deploy and maintain a feature rich IT environment. Contact us today to learn more.