5 Reasons to Outsource Technology Management

Small Businesses Need Not Limit IT Capability

There isn’t any reason why a small business can’t have the kind of technology management that large enterprise companies deploy. Despite differences in size for each type of organization, they both rely on technology for business operations. Their security, business continuity, cloud computing and support needs are similar – they just have different budgets.

The limitations of the small business budget need not limit their IT capabilities if these companies look to outsourcing as a cost-effective way to get IT expertise and support. Whether working alongside internal staff or completely fulfilling the IT role, IT services companies can bring the essential components that allow companies to have a whole managed IT department that responds to changing business needs and scales with growth. Here are five reasons why companies should consider outsourcing their technology for better IT results.

1. Comprehensive Knowledge Base

When you outsource your technology management to an IT support company that offers fully managed services, you get the combined expertise of a whole team of people who specialize in different aspects of technology. There are many roles to fill to cover all of your IT bases. It is unrealistic to think that one or a few people can keep up with an increasingly complex and continually changing technology world.

Companies that provide outsourced IT department services allocate time and resources to allow their staff to keep up with technology. Training time may not be a priority in a small company because of pressing day-to-day issues that push training to the back burner.

2. Fully Staffed IT Department

Reliance on one or just a handful of people for business technology management can put your company in a precarious situation when someone needs time off. Whether planned or unexpected, an absence can stall or stop business processes as staff waits for remediation for their issue. Outsourced IT support is available when your people need it, making them more productive.

With the average retention rate of internal IT personnel at 2.5 years, many companies find outsourcing a more efficient way to provide consistency as they avoid creating dips in their company’s technology aptitude from continually onboarding and training people.

Download: 5 Questions to Ask When You Are Evaluating an IT Managed Service Company

3. Cutting-Edge Technology Tools

While technology tools alone do not contribute to good technology management, putting cutting-edge tools in the hands of experts who know how to use and apply them to achieve business objectives empowers businesses to move forward. So many buzzwords fly around and attract attention – cloud computing, mobile device management, security event management – it can be easy to sign up for third- services but still not get everything you need.

Companies that offer a fully outsourced IT department have access to cutting-edge technology tools that they carefully choose and apply to meet customer needs without overlap or gaps efficiently.

4. IT Leadership and Guidance

As more companies become familiar with how IT strategy can turn their technology into a contributor to growth, they also recognize that their company may need more IT leadership. The CIO (Chief Information Officer)role might be full-time in an enterprise-level company but unrealistic for a small company. The best IT companies include IT leadership, often on the part of a VCIO (Virtual Chief Information Officer.)

The VCIO interacts with management and asks questions that provide the information needed to create an IT roadmap that is pointed toward short and long-term goals. The VCIO brings knowledge of technology trends and best practices so that they can recommend IT investments that will help the company achieve its objectives and get the best ROI from its technology investments.

5. Proactive IT Approach

Having a proactive approach to IT is a goal and a result of working with a fully managed IT service provider. Small companies may aspire to efficient business technology that enables staff to meet customer needs productively, but they find it is out of reach if they just rely on internal resources.

The conclusion that they come to is that proactive IT is the result of having a whole IT department with the people, the knowledge, the tools and the leadership that is available through a managed IT services provider.

Ready for Better IT Results?

Small to medium-sized businesses should have access to the same kind of IT support that enterprise organizations can have. As you are looking at IT options, finding the provider that will be the best option for you will be easier if you know the right questions to ask.