Over 600,000 businesses are started every year. And at some point, most, if not all, of these businesses will rely on technology to keep operations running smoothly. But what keeps the technology running smoothly? The obvious answer is IT. However, many small businesses do not have the budget to hire a full-time IT technician. But small businesses don’t have to go without IT help. In this article, we are going to discuss the benefits of outsourced IT for small businesses.
Choosing Outsourced IT for Small Businesses
If you are considering outsourcing IT for your small business, here are a few advantages to consider.
Reduced Costs
One of the most significant benefits of outsourced IT for small businesses is the cost savings. Managed service providers (MSPs) have the advantage of economies of scale. Because they work with several other businesses, MSPs are able to lower their costs and have access to hardware and software at a lower price. They then pass these savings on to their customers.
Increased Flexibility
With an MSP, you get the IT help that your business demands. For many small businesses, this may not mean 40 hours of on-site support per week. By outsourcing your IT, you can customize your services to your companies needs. This might mean only having a few hours of on-site support and using remote IT support for your helpdesk needs.
You also can use outsourced IT to supplement any in-house services you have. If your small business has one full-time technician, but your technology needs are exceeding their time, you can outsource IT to cover any unmet needs. This way, you don’t have to worry about using your resources to hire and manage another in-house employee.
Ability to Focus on Growth
Small businesses must be creative, hardworking, and dedicated to achieve the growth they desire. The best way to do this is by focusing on what you’re best at. And a benefit of outsourcing IT for small businesses is that it allows them to do exactly that. You no longer have to worry about managing, maintaining, or running your technology. Your IT provider will handle all that. That leaves you free to spend your time working on your core competency to grow your business.
On top of that, with an outsourced IT provider, you are getting the knowledge and expertise of multiple technology experts. If you hire in house, you will have to rely on a much smaller foundation of skills. When you feel confident that a team of experienced IT professionals has your back, you’ll be able to let go of any technology worries or stress you were holding onto.
Improved Security
Cybersecurity is a major concern for businesses these days, with thousands of attacks happening on an annual basis. Many small businesses may not put the necessary focus on cybersecurity solutions because they believe they are too small for a hacker to be interested in and think it’s too expensive. However, small businesses are increasingly becoming targets because of precisely this. Larger companies invest in securing their data, making it more difficult to get into their systems.
Working with an MSP provides you with the peace of mind that there are dedicated professionals focused on ensuring that your business stays secure. They can help you create affordable, layered security plans that meet your business’s unique needs.
Consistent Billing
Technology budgets can be quite complicated, as you’re balancing the reasonable lifecycle of hardware products, software upgrades, and the unexpected IT needs of the business on an annual basis. One way that you can add some consistency to your budgeting is by working with an outsourced IT provider. Instead of massive unexpected bills for services that you weren’t anticipating, your technology services provider can work with you on a retainer basis so you can spread your costs more equally throughout the year. This allows for a higher level of predictability when you’re working through your annual budgeting period.
In Conclusion
Small business owners and leadership wear a variety of hats: your customer service manager may also be supporting web design, while your operations head is juggling production levels as well as infrastructure and wiring. Having these professionals stretch outside their comfort zone is how many small businesses get started, but growing into the next level requires a strategic focus within several dimensions. By outsourcing your IT, you can take those tasks off of your employees’ plates, allowing them to focus on their true job responsibilities — and what they excel at. The benefits of outsourced IT for small businesses are significant and may just be the best thing for your company.
