The Pros and Cons of Outsourcing Your IT Services

A strong IT-support function is vital for any business that wants to remain competitive in today’s digital environment. If your company is a start-up or small to medium-sized company, then the advantages of outsourcing your IT may well be worth more than retaining your own in-house IT department.

Several factors need to be considered when weighing up the pros and cons of whether you should outsource your IT. Some of these include; costs, availability, expertise, security, versatility, scalability and resources.

The Pros to Outsourcing Your IT Services

Costs

Outsourcing your IT services can prove to be far more affordable than maintaining a dedicated department. Costs for employee salaries, benefits, bonuses, as well as leave that can cause disruptions to the smooth running of the business, are all things that an IT Service Level Agreement (SLA) does away with.

Availability

Depending on the reputability of the provider and the type of support plan, most IT companies will provide 24/7 support.

Expertise

By outsourcing IT services to a reliable provider, your company will be able to harness the collective expertise of IT specialists.

Security

IT service providers will always remain up to date with the latest digital threats and should always provide the latest protection to minimise risks to your company. Make sure you have the right IT Security in place.

Scalability

Outsourced IT service providers can respond rapidly to shifting business needs and provide a cost-effective solution as your business grows, or shrinks under challenging conditions.

Resources

IT equipment and facilities can be extremely expensive. An outsourced partner will allow your company to access comprehensive diagnostic software and repair tools, as well as offsite servers.

The Cons to Outsourcing Your IT Services

Costs

Some less reputable IT service providers may fall behind their project timelines or fail to meet expectations, causing additional pressure on the business.

Availability

It is always important to conduct a thorough check of your potential IT service provider, to ensure that their company is financially stable and not about to go out of business, resulting in a direct impact on your company.

Expertise

While professional IT service providers may provide sound infrastructure and experienced staff, the wrong provider may employ less qualified individuals who can affect the quality of your employees’ work and therefore the service that you provide to your client.

Security

The reliance on a third party to handle sensitive or confidential data is always a risk, especially if the SLA is terminated or the IT service provider’s business fails. Immediately, there is a loss of control over a number of issues, including data which will become more problematic with the implementation of the POPI Act after 30 June 2021.

Versatility

Be aware of signing highly rigid contracts or SLA’s with your outsourced provider. Should your business needs change, you will need a provider who can accommodate your changes.

It is worth considering that the success of an in-house IT department or outsourced IT service provider lies in assisting your company to grow and thrive. A reputable and professional IT partner can be relied on to provide IT support that is both cost-effective, up to date, and easily scalable.

If you are ready to outsource your IT requirements, contact Westech for professional advice and a competitive quote.