As a managed service provider (MSP), it’s only natural that we’re going to be a little biased when comparing the positives and negatives between an in-house IT team and an outsourced approach. However, each has its benefits given the right situations, and each can have its downsides. Let’s discuss each option to establish the better choice for your business.
THE IN-HOUSE TEAM: PROS AND CONS
The Pros: In-House Staff
One of the greatest benefits of relying on an in-house team to manage your technology is that you can hand-pick your team members. As a result, you have some level of control over which aspects of your IT you want to prioritize for the benefit of your company. Having an in-house team also means you have staff right at your fingertips that you can direct at any time. Plus, they know the company well because they’re actually working in the company. When you go with an in-house IT team, you can train them to understand the depths of your company and IT goals, which will benefit how they work together.
The Cons: Difficult to Train and Expensive
On the flip side, small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) may encounter some difficulties when trying to maintain an in-house IT team. First and foremost, training your new staff members can be a difficult process without another experienced IT resource on staff to oversee the process. If there are no designated IT experts on your team prior to hiring a new class of IT pros, it can be extremely difficult to set the expectations and processes of your IT infrastructure.
Not to mention, maintaining an internal IT team can be expensive, and if you want to hire experienced technicians who can tackle modern problems, it will typically cost more.
A MANAGED IT PROVIDER’S TEAM: PROS AND CONS
Pro #1: Predictability, Consistency, and Cost Effective
One of the biggest advantages an MSP can provide to a business is predictability and consistency. When subscribed to an MSP’s services, a business will have its technology maintained and monitored for issues, all for a budgeted, fixed monthly fee. By partnering with an MSP, you save a lump sum of money in comparison to the upfront costs it takes to hire, onboard, and train a new employee, let alone a whole new department.
Pro #2: Up to Date on Latest Technologies/Solutions
The MSP is also more likely to have kept up to speed with new technologies and solutions, gaining knowledge that they then pass on for your business’ benefit. Partnering with an MSP also gives you an improved means of expanding your business when the time comes, as instead of hiring a new internal staff member, your business just needs to scale accordingly.
Some business owners may feel like outsourcing to an MSP relinquishes control of their technology. However, it’s important to keep in mind that a good MSP understands that the technology belongs to the business. Successful MSPs know that their function is to advise on best practices and provide support to the network and end users, not micromanage decisions. As such, if you decide to utilize an MSP’s services, you will need to find an MSP that you can trust.
The Con: Not Under the Same Roof
While an MSP might not be under your same roof, you still have the power to hand pick the right one for you. Plus, there are situations where companies still work with a managed service provider that supplies someone who can work in-house (been there, done that, will do it again). That being said, it comes down to a cost-benefit analysis. It might make sense for you to have some internal IT support, but you need to outsource other types of IT tasks to free up the internal IT resource’s time for strategic initiatives and internal priorities. It’s ultimately dependent on your needs, how they can be supported, and what’s going to the right fit for you.
If you’re struggling to make that decision, this is something we’re happy to chat through.
Why We Want to Support Your Business
Our mission is to be your trusted partner to help you make strategic, long-term IT decisions that align technology with business objectives while also improving operational efficiency. We do this by providing a comprehensive suite of proactive and innovative technology solutions, superior customer support, and exceptional technical consulting. Don’t believe us? Let our over 100 5-star Google reviews speak for us.
If you are looking for a reliable service that can help you upgrade your IT services, look no further than Exact IT Consulting. We are proud to be one of the most reliable IT companies in the industry, and we can help you with all of your data backup and cybersecurity needs. We can even help you procure new hardware and software when you need it. If you are looking for a team of IT professionals who can help you improve your IT capabilities, contact us today to speak to a member of our team.
You can also check out our free guide, Selecting the Right MSP for Your Business.
Interested in taking your IT to the next level? Let’s talk. Shoot me an email to chat more, or take a look at our Cost Calculator.
