Blog

In today’s ultra-competitive business environment, more and more companies are searching for ways to maximize productivity, efficiency and, overall, profitability. This means taking stock of strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for growth.

To capitalize on its strengths and determine which opportunities deserve a business’s focus, it must first decide how to handle weaknesses. For many, outsourcing areas of the business that are weak has become an increasingly popular solution. Others still are outsourcing areas of their business that allow them to prioritize aspects of their operations that are much more critical to their success.

Both reasons are common for outsourcing services to a managed IT provider.

Still, there are more factors to consider to determine whether outsourcing IT is right for a business. If you answer yes to any of the following questions, then you may want to consider outsourcing to managed IT services.

Is IT an area of weakness for your business?

With a business environment that is becoming increasingly digital and reliant on cloud services, businesses are finding that handling their own IT needs can quickly become an area of weakness for their teams.

IT is an area of specialized knowledge that requires a specific skill set and adaptability for when needs change. This is a common reason why many businesses outsource to a managed services provider.

Perhaps your team is struggling to handle IT issues or needs that are becoming more and more complex and detailed. This could result in more time spent troubleshooting and searching for solutions, which means productivity will suffer in other areas.

Additionally, if your network, technology and equipment needs begin to increase in complexity, your team may not have the skills - or time needed to acquire those skills - to resolve problems in the best way.

Either of these situations are perfect scenarios for considering a switch to outsourcing.

Would outsourcing IT save money?

Cost-cutting is the most common reason for outsourcing. According to Deloitte’s 2016 Global Outsourcing Survey, 59% of businesses surveyed outsourced some task as a money-saving mechanism.

And there’s no doubt that IT can be expensive. As businesses grow, so do their IT needs. For most, keeping IT in-house is often not a cost-effective solution - unless, as noted in Forbes, those operations are actually what drive value for a business.

From a personnel perspective, full-time or even part-time IT staff position may not be the most cost-effective solution for a business.

Consider the costs of hiring and training staff, or even temporary employees. Then also factor in the costs associated with replacing and training new members when there is turnover.

Lower labor costs are often cited as a key benefit of outsourcing IT. Businesses that go this route do not have to worry about training, initial or continued. That’s all on the service provider now.

A good provider will ensure that their staff is trained with the latest skills and knowledge, experienced in handling common problems, qualified to take on those problems and certified to do so, which adds another layer of accountability and reliability.

Finally, future scalability of a business should be considered when examining the costs - now and later - of outsourcing. SiteGround’s Ivailo Nikolov suggests to Forbes that outsourcing IT can help a business waste less time and money trying to keep up with expansion.

So, in short, make sure to plan not only for costs now, but future IT costs, as well.

Would outsourcing IT free up staff to focus on the core business?

According to Deloitte’s outsourcing survey, enabling staff to focus more on the core of a business was the second-most popular response (57%) to why a business outsources a task.

Paul Blough, of BloughTech, argues in Forbes that company’s “should always consider outsourcing what is not core to your company.” He adds that small businesses especially can improve their IT service if they select a provider that specializes in their industry.

Small, medium or large, every business should focus on the core of the business that provides real value to customers. For many, that isn’t IT.

From a product standpoint for companies that are more involved in tech or tech-related services, outsourcing some or all of IT can allow current staff to focus more on larger products and projects, says Pete Kistler of BrandYourself.com in Forbes.

He says this could take the form of a company outsourcing phone systems or servers, freeing up more time for product research and development. Look for a managed IT services provider that offers VoIP (Voice over IP) solutions, if this sounds like something that could help your business.

Does your business rely on secure, updated software or hardware?

Operating a business comes with risks. There is no getting around that fact.

Network and other cybersecurity concerns only increase this risk, unfortunately. However, having a skilled provider can relieve a business of that stress by monitoring security, preventing risks and mitigating damage is some security concern were to arise.

Most of the risk then becomes the service providers issue. They have added incentive to come through when called upon, too, otherwise they may lose business.

A good IT services provider also will ensure your software and hardware is updated, providing not only increased security, but also better performance.

If you are starting new projects or launching new products that will increase your IT needs, then a trustworthy provider will be there with you to assess any concerns or growing needs.

ANP could be your outsourced IT answer

Businesses invest a lot in technology - and require a return on that investment. Advanced Network Professionals provides managed IT services that, like you, focus on your core business to realize that ROI.

At ANP, out team keeps your business’s needs and core functions in mind to determine suggestions and solutions. Our expert technicians can assess equipment performance, troubleshoot issues, manage equipment and software upgrades and installations, identify trends that could benefit your business and more.

ANP may be the answer for your managed IT services needs. Request a quote for an estimate or simply get in touch to talk next steps.