Outsourcing for the Win: Why Small Businesses Should Outsource IT

It’s been predicted that 75% of IT spending will be on third-party platforms by the year 2023. Many businesses are choosing to outsource their IT needs, and when you look at the benefits, it’s not difficult to see why.

Outsourcing the IT department of your business can bring several benefits. Read on for our guide on what outsourced IT can get to your business.

IT Department Meaning: What IT Brings to Businesses

An IT department is a mix of hardware and software applications, allowing a business to perform various essential functions. This can include customer relationship management (CRM), accounting processes, email, etc.

Every business needs technology to operate efficiently and grow. While your product may not require technology, for example, if you’re a butcher, chances are you will be using an accounting app like Xero. Plus, most retail businesses also need an online presence and eCommerce store, and this is where everything gets interesting, especially for non-tech-savvy business owners.

The website needs to be optimised for SEO and get found by customers. The site needs to be intuitive and load quickly; security and privacy are significant concerns. Therefore, even if you’re not dealing with a technical product, it’s highly likely that you will need IT skills to help you keep pushing forward. Rather than the expense of hiring a team of IT professionals, your business can outsource the department to a third-party provider.

What Is an Outsourced IT Department?

Businesses are expected to offer round-the-clock accessibility and support via their website. An outsourced IT provider has already invested in the technical expertise, including IT admin, networking, and development, to support businesses’ technology requirements.

To identify the best partner for your IT needs, look for a well-seasoned team of experts with great reviews from businesses in your field or industry.

What an Outsourced IT Department Can Do for Your Business

Depending on the size of your business, you may still need to have an in-house team of techies, to manage some of the everyday tasks and liaise with your outsourcing partner.

However, to scale your business, you can rely on the skills of developers outsourcing the build of apps and software. Plus, using a third-party managed IT department and avoiding the hefty investment in technology and staff.

In addition to essential IT functions, there are also a surprising amount of other things that an outsourced IT department can do for your business, including strategy and project management.

Lower Costs

This might go against your initial impression of an outsourced IT department, but taking on an outside team could actually save your business a ton of extra costs. This is because you’re significantly reducing your needs to acquire and retain employees, which are often the most considerable expense of your business.

In addition to that, think about how much it would cost you to keep your business operating 24/7. It’s what your customers have grown to expect, but it’s tough to pull off. You would essentially be tripling the number of clocked hours for employees.

An outsourced IT department can help you meet the IT needs of your business for a fraction of what it would cost you to maintain a 24/7 in-house team. It’s more affordable than you might think and beats the alternative.

Enhanced Cybersecurity

As virtually every company moves to a digital platform, the risk of data breaches is higher than ever. Depending on what happens, these can cause your business hundreds of thousands in damages.

Protecting yourself can be complicated, even if you’re tech-savvy. Today’s hacker is highly knowledgeable of all the different ways to get into your sensitive data.

An outsourced IT department provides you with a team of experts who are specially trained to make your data secure against hacking, phishing, data breaches, malware, and other attacks on your data. By investing in these services, you can be sure you’re doing everything possible to protect your business.

Help Transitioning to a Cloud-Based Platform

Many businesses are moving to a cloud-based platform. This makes all your accounts, orders, tasks, and everything else accessible and workable from anywhere.

There are many benefits to switching your business platform over to the cloud, including enhanced efficiency, increased accessibility, and a simplified workflow. It also provides you with a backup of nearly all your business functions, so you can maintain your records no matter what.

Increased Efficiency

The world of IT is continuously changing. If you’re trying to maintain an in-house IT department, this can be a lot to keep up with. On top of everything you’re accomplishing daily, it can lead to many headaches.

One of the most notable benefits of an outsourced IT department is that it minimises the daily headaches of running your business. When your IT concerns are taken care of, everything else functions more smoothly.

You can run your business with minimal hiccups without the constant need to hire, train, develop, and maintain an in-house IT department. This will keep you working at your maximum potential.

Ability to Focus on Your Goals

IT concerns can take a great deal of time when you’re running a business. On a day-to-day basis, these hours can quickly add up.

If you’re busy making sure your IT platform is working efficiently, you may be putting off goals and other projects that can keep your business growing and thriving. By taking on an outsourced IT department, you are freeing yourself to do the most essential task: grow.

Get the Best Outsourced IT Department For Your Business

If you’re a small business, adding an outsourced IT department can do many things for you, freeing you to focus on your long-term goals. Now that you have some ideas of these services’ functions and benefits start hunting for a great team today.

For more business advice, check out our blog.