When it comes to business, change is inevitable. The way a company handles that change can mean the difference between success and failure.
Deciding whether or not to outsource your IT tech support is one of the biggest decisions a company will face. Making the change can improve performance measures in terms of cost, quality, service and speed. To ensure the change is made smoothly, look for a managed service provider who will work to understand your company and analyze your needs — then translate those objectives and processes into solutions that span the lifecycle of your entire IT infrastructure.
For many companies, outsourcing has become a central part of their growth plan. This was underscored by a recent survey that found the main reason for outsourcing has evolved beyond cost savings as more than 90 percent of firms surveyed considered “outsourcing as crucial to their growth strategies.”
In addition to reducing operating costs, other key reasons that companies cite for deciding to outsource their IT operations include:
- Improving business efficiency and productivity
- Retaining focus on core capabilities
- Maintaining more current and effective IT solutions
- Minimizing risks and improving security
- Improving customer satisfaction
How to Know When to Outsource
With all these benefits in mind, how do you know when it’s time to turn to a managed service provider to oversee crucial IT functions? Every business is different, but here are a few signs it’s time to consider outsourcing your IT:
- Your time, expertise and focus aren’t in the right place. For your business to succeed, you need to remain focused on your vision and committed to fulfilling it.
- Your business is growing, but you’re having difficulty incorporating the technology required to enhance overall performance.
- You’re experiencing seasonal spikes in business that make it difficult to provide consistent customer service, such as call volume.
- You’re finding it challenging — or impossible — to keep up with increasingly high expectations for round-the-clock customer service.
Best Practices for a Seamless Transition
To make this change as smooth as possible, you need a partner with the experience and knowledge to represent you during the critical decision-making process.
An IT managed services provider can:
- Provide a rapid, two-week transition to fully functional IT support
- Perform needs assessment and provide recommendations
- Execute security threat analysis and correction
- Perform hardware and software audits
- Structure IT budgets and analyze finances
- Manage projects, upgrades, moves and renovations
- Supplement your existing IT staff
“I’ve found that outsourcing arrangements work well for anyone from a startup to an established business. Outsourcing can help keep costs lower in terms of operations, provide greater talent and offer a way to scale up and down, according to the need for additional workers,” IT executive Chalmers Brown wrote for Forbes.
A managed services provider not only keeps your technology up and running, but also helps create a comprehensive IT plan that allows you to achieve your business objectives.
Are you ready to discuss the benefits of outsourcing your IT systems? We’re here to help find the best way to manage your tech so it contributes to your company’s success. Our expert engineers can design a successful IT managed services process specific to your needs.
Since 1995, Manassas Park, VA-based V2 Systems has employed local systems administrators, network engineers, security consultants, help desk technicians and partnering companies to meet a wide range of clients’ IT needs, from research, to implementation, to maintenance. Concentrate on your VISION…We’ll handle the TECHNOLOGY!