When it comes to setting up IT support, companies are often faced with an important question: should they hire an internal team or outsource to a managed services provider (MSP)?Each has its own unique benefits, though the long-term gains will highly depend on your specific circumstances.
Below, we weigh out the reasons to pursue an internal tech team versus relying on third-party services, and how to choose the best option for your business.
What are the benefits of hiring internal IT staff?
Hiring internal IT staff offers numerous advantages for businesses of all sizes.
Greater security
With an internal team, you’re likely to have much greater security and control over your own data. In-house IT personnel will have to comply with stringent security policies and protocols tailored specifically to your needs; on the other hand, a third party may not share the same conscientiousness as you do. Hiring internal IT staff could be particularly valuable for companies handling highly sensitive information, such as those in the healthcare, finance, and government fields with regulations like HIPAA and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to adhere to.
Seamless workplace collaboration
Keeping your IT staff in house means they’ll be able to directly communicate and report to each other, making workplace collaboration a much smoother affair. They’ll also have the advantage of being able to share their knowledge, mentor others, and offer training in person. In addition, being fully integrated into the company means these workers will have a deeper understanding of your culture and company workflows, making it easier to align their support with the specific needs of different teams.
Quicker response times
An internal IT team would mean having immediate access to the technical support you and your workers need. Support staff would be readily available to tend to any day-to-day concerns, leading to quicker resolutions and minimal downtime.
Having this setup also allows you to invest in talent specifically trained and tailored to your business’s unique needs and hardware/software requirements. For example, your accounting firm may be reliant on a specific CMS system to carry out its tasks, which plenty of MSPs may not necessarily have expertise in.
What are the benefits of hiring an MSP?
Partnering with an MSP can significantly enhance a company's operational efficiency and security by providing:
Greater cost savings
Working with an MSP can lead to greater cost savings in the long term. Hiring an in-house support team can be costly, with expenses spanning across salaries, benefits, and ongoing training. An MSP, however, typically charges clients through a subscription-based model, offering fixed monthly fees for their services. This ensures that you never pay for more than what you need, and allows for more predictable budgeting for your IT expenses.
Increased workplace productivity
Proactive IT support consumes plenty of time and resources, but partnering with an MSP can help relieve your in-house teams of their ongoing workload. With an MSP’s support, your internal staff are then free to focus on more urgent, higher-level tasks or projects, leading to greater productivity and innovation in the long run. Plus, you’ll gain access to a wide pool of talent that may be able to fulfill any skill gaps within the workplace.
Scale efficiently
Finally, outsourcing to an MSP helps “future-proof” your IT support through their ability to scale alongside your business. Most providers are well equipped with the resources and expertise to quickly adapt to your changing needs, whether that’s expanding to accommodate greater demand or paring back during quieter business periods. A reliable MSP will also keep updated on the latest IT trends, ensuring you and your staff remain competitive in its technology.
Internal staff vs. MSP: which is best for your business?
Deciding on whether to invest in internal tech staff or outsourcing to an MSP will ultimately depend on the needs of your business. Take the time to assess the specialized IT skills you need to fulfill, your company’s technology preferences, and the current work style between employees. Perhaps an in-house team is required to protect the sensitive nature of your business data. Or, if you're a small business looking to save costs, an MSP may be the better choice both financially and productivity-wise.
When partnering with an MSP, be sure to check their expertise and service level agreements (SLAs). This will help you determine whether their solutions are a good fit, keeping you both on the same page in terms of expectations, security standards, and escalation procedures. They may also be able to cater to any specific technology requirements you may have. And finally, make sure they have clear communication channels in place. Having transparent communication with a potential provider will help you make the most of its services, leading to greater profits and business efficiency down the road.
Seeking to invest in a quality MSP? With outsourceIT, our team can provide you with the latest technologies to boost security, workplace productivity, disaster recovery, and more. Championing a proactive approach to IT support, we’ll ensure your business stays innovative and competitive for the long haul. Get in touch for a free consultation today and learn more about the ways we can help.
