Some small and medium business owners are hesitant to outsource their IT support. However, doing so can help your company stay current with the latest tech and keep your business competitive. In addition, outsourcing IT support can also help reduce in-house IT department costs. Your techs can also be set to more critical tasks while the managed IT support team takes care of everything else.

What is Outsourced IT Support?

Outsourced IT support is hiring a third-party IT company to manage IT activities. Today, businesses of all sizes are choosing to outsource their IT services. The management company then focuses on the company’s IT requirements, freeing up IT staff within the business to focus on more essential tasks and projects.

The range of IT services that can be outsourced may surprise you. Some of the most common outsourced IT services include:

• Website design & hosting services
• IT support services
• Cyber security
• Network management
• Cloud storage
• IT security services
• Project-based outsourcing
• And more

Managed IT service providers offer different business packages, allowing a company to choose or create a package of services that’s the right fit for them. Some companies also choose to outsource one-time IT projects. Some businesses outsource their IT department to a trusted third-party IT service provider. In contrast, other companies may outsource some of their IT tasks while keeping their in-house team for other projects.

Main Benefits of Outsourcing IT Support

Here are some of the main benefits of outsourcing IT support:

Control IT costs: outsourcing allows a business to only pay for the services it needs when needed.

Reduce labor costs: hiring and training an in-house IT team is expensive. However, outsourcing allows the company to focus employees where they’re needed most.

Trained, experienced, qualified, certified: outsourcing IT support means a company has access to consultants who are trained, experienced, qualified, and certified in specific areas, such as cyber security, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, and more. There’s no question that the outsourced IT team has the qualifications necessary to do the work, knowledge of the latest tech, and more.

Increase efficiency & competitiveness: businesses that outsource their IT support can expect an increase in efficiency and competitiveness. Their in-house team has more time for research, development, and implementation.

Quickly implement new tech: with a qualified outsourced IT support team, a company can also expect it will have access to the latest tech, making implementation faster and saving time & money.

Compliance & security: an outsourced IT support team also has the knowledge and experience to deal with cyber security issues and ensure a company is in compliance with government and industry regulations.

These are only a few benefits an SMB can experience with outsourced IT support services.

Tips on How to Get the Most from Your Outsourced IT Support

Here are some tips to help your SMB get more out of your outsourced IT support team.

1. Work Closely with Your Outsourced IT Support Team

Each business is unique and has specialised requirements. So, it’s essential to ensure you share all pertinent information with your outsourced IT support team. Let the team know exactly how your company works and what it’s IT needs are.

It’s essential to work closely with the support team and clearly communicate your goals to them.

2. Stay Focused on Value, Not Costs

Some SMBs search for an outsourced IT support team that offers the cheapest costs. However, that’s not always the best service or the most affordable for your company.

Avoid searching for an outsourced  IT support provider that only offers the minimum in IT services. Instead, the best value will be offered by a provider who offers packages that provide the specific services your company needs. So, look for providers with the skills and services that fit your company’s requirements.

3. Create a Partner, Not a Replacement

One place many SMBs make a mistake is viewing outsourced IT service providers as a replacement for their in-house IT team. However, the goal is to make a partner of your IT support provider. Your SMB may not want to outsource all IT functions completely. Instead, the company may do better with some services staying in-house and others being outsourced. However, in some cases, outsourcing IT services completely may make the best sense.

No matter which way you choose to go, view your IT support provider as part of your IT team. Communicate with them effectively. It’s also helpful to create policies and procedures that assist employees with understanding when to contact the IT support provider and in what situations.

Working together with your outsourced IT support provider is the key to successful outsourcing IT support.

4. Choose an Experienced Company

The main goal of outsourcing IT support is to boost productivity and cost-effectiveness. Therefore, it’s essential to find the right outsourcing IT service partner for your SMB.

Start your research on companies with a superior reputation for delivering their services with value. It’s also a good idea to read reviews of the company from past or current customers. And remember to compare services and prices with other competitors.

5. Choose an Outsource IT Service Provider with Scalable Options

Another tip is to search on outsourcing IT service providers that offer scalable tech support. Why? Because these partners have the ability to assist when the unexpected happens. For instance, if your company suddenly expands, the IT service provider has the capability to grow with you. They have the ability to adjust their services to meet your needs.

6. Look for Clear, Transparent Contracts

Finally, search for outsourcing IT service providers that offer clear, transparent contracts. Their services and prices should be clear, with no hidden or unexpected fees included. Here, again, it’s helpful to find a company that has an excellent reputation on the market that has a reputation for transparent services and contracts.

Summing It Up

SMBs often shy away from hiring outsourced IT services. They miss the many benefits that outsourcing their IT can bring.

By following the tips in this article, your SMB can experience all the benefits that come with outsourcing some or all of your company’s IT services. Doing so could lead your company to become more productive and have the ability to scale as needed when growth hits!