The average data breach in 2022 cost businesses a record $4.4 million. It takes only seconds for normal business operations to turn into something catastrophic, and there’s no shortage of hackers looking to procure sensitive information.
A robust IT support team is the best way to manage issues like these, but not everyone has the budget to hire in-house IT professionals. Outsourcing to IT support services is a reliable way to protect your company, and it’s easier to handle than it seems. Let’s explore some of the most notable reasons you should outsource your tech support.
1. Help Desk Support
This is one of the most notable benefits of outsourcing to IT providers. It gives you access to professionals who can quickly fix errors and solve problems. Depending on the help desk support level offered, they’ll resolve issues remotely or in person.
Help desk support can help you save a substantial amount of money and keep your operations running smoothly. Many people overlook the impact downtime can have on their company. Let’s assume you pay a team of 10 people approximately $50/hour each.
For every hour they can’t do their job, it costs you $500. If your company is down for an entire workday (eight hours), this will cost you $4,000 in labor. This also doesn’t factor in missed sales or other opportunity costs.
As you can see, issues like these can quickly add up. Small businesses will have a difficult time accommodating scenarios like this.
2. Network Monitoring
Having an experienced professional on your side will help you identify and eliminate threats before they evolve. Otherwise, you’ll be forced to react to problems you encounter without any prep time.
This comes with a large amount of risk. For example, imagine if you unexpectedly got hit with a ransomware attack that encrypted sensitive information at your company.
The hacker demanded you pay $50,000 in Bitcoin or all of your company’s data would be deleted. Working with an IT professional could have noticed suspicious activity and taken action before the hacker could tamper with your information. Monitoring can also ensure your backups stay functional.
3. Disaster Recovery
Even a single incident can be difficult or impossible to recover from. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to prepare for every type of disaster. You also can’t always prevent disasters you prepare for.
There may eventually come a day when you’ll need to tap into your data backups to recover from a contingency. Working with a managed service provider can ensure you take the necessary steps. They’ll also help you develop a comprehensive disaster recovery plan.
4. SaaS Management
Most companies use some form of software as a service (SaaS). One of the most common is Microsoft Office 365. Applications like these allow you to manage important nuances at your company.
Some of the most important are user onboarding/offboarding, permissions management, and license management. Dealing with SaaS is hard enough on its own. Things can become even more complicated if issues arise.
Your IT professional will help you overcome common problems and maintain continuity. This can translate into increased employee morale and better revenue.
5. IT Reporting
Don’t overlook the power of analytics data. This provides valuable insight into your company’s IT performance. However, making sense of this information is difficult for many people.
That’s where outsourcing steps in. Hiring professionals guarantees you fully understand important metrics. They can also help you improve your overall customer service, plan for issues, and resolve problems that arise.
To clarify, you can emphasize strategies currently meeting your needs. You can also reconfigure those that don’t. There’s something to be said about eliminating waste, as well.
6. Automation
Automation is one of the most powerful types of business technology you can leverage. Not only does it save time, but it minimizes the chance of human error. The problem is integrating automation isn’t always easy.
People don’t know how to do it properly, and they might not see key opportunities. Hiring a professional can eliminate both of these issues.
They’ll identify key processes that can benefit from automation and help you get started. As time goes on, they can adjust the automation they use to become more effective.
7. Hardware Support
One of the worst issues businesses deal with is broken hardware. While this isn’t a common occurrence, hardware-based IT problems can be catastrophic in certain circumstances.
More often than not, it doesn’t make sense to repair broken hardware. This is especially true for older devices. These are less likely to see continued use as time goes on, as they typically can’t support newer operating systems.
They also tend to have weaker processors, making them slower than even low-end modern machines. Regardless, an IT professional can help you repair your hardware if you’re not willing to upgrade yet.
While it’s not impossible to make repairs on your own, it’s not recommended. You’ll need specialized tools and knowledge to do so effectively.
8. Network Security
Without the right level of network security, you risk falling victim to cyberattacks. These have increased over the past few years, and they show no signs of slowing down.
Hackers are constantly refining the methods they use to break through system defenses. You’ll need to stay ahead of the curve if you plan to keep your data safe.
Hiring a professional gives you access to premier tools and software. Not only can you forego buying them for yourself, but you also won’t have to worry about training your team. This will save a substantial amount of time and money in most circumstances.
Network security is essential for companies of all sizes, but many small businesses believe they aren’t large enough to get hacked. Cybercriminals often target small companies since they don’t have the capital to invest in their security. Outsourcing your IT needs will ensure your business stays as protected as possible.
9. Vendor Management
Many companies overlook the importance of vendor management. Some situations require you to coordinate with a vendor to facilitate replacements or repairs.
This is especially true with phone systems and copiers. It also applies to certain types of software. IT providers will handle vendor management for you.
This means you won’t have to worry about the nuances of contacting them and scheduling service. It’s also unlikely your company has someone with technical knowledge to handle these tasks. It often makes more sense to outsource to a professional instead.
There’s something to be said about the amount of time this frees up, as well. Keep this in mind when moving forward so you can make the best decision.
10. Cloud Computing
Most companies leverage cloud computing in some form. At the very least, they store data remotely. Your IT provider will help you find a suitable cloud partner and migrate to their service.
They can also help you take advantage of the cloud provider to the fullest. Migration is the most enticing attribute of working with an IT professional. When handled on your own, it will be a difficult and lengthy process.
This is especially true for companies with a large amount of data. It’s not uncommon for some businesses to handle several hundred terabytes of information.
11. Account Management
When you outsource to managed IT services, you’ll communicate mainly with an account manager. This streamlines how quickly you receive support. It also allows you to circumvent learning the technical terms related to your issues.
Reputable IT firms will proactively check your company’s status. Doing so allows them to quickly handle problems with your IT service.
For example, your account manager might notice a security audit hadn’t occurred when it should have. Situations like these can vastly improve your operations as a whole and improve employee morale.
Finding a Professional
When looking for an IT professional, it’s imperative to see what other people have to say online about their services. Were they satisfied overall? Were there any issues that multiple people had?
Answers to questions like these will help you streamline your search. Look into their pricing, as well. Companies offering rock-bottom prices are unlikely to meet your needs. Ask if they often work with businesses like yours. You often get what you pay for, and you should avoid the cheapest providers you encounter. The last thing you want is to hire a provider that doesn’t understand your company’s nuances.
Do they have a robust customer support policy? It should be easy to contact them and get the help you need when problems arise. Otherwise, you risk having to overcome issues on your own. This can derail your operations and make it more difficult for you to handle other obligations.
Leverage Outsourced IT Support
Outsourcing your IT support is one of the best ways to keep your data safe. You can also avoid issues you might have otherwise encountered, such as extended downtime. Do your due diligence when searching for professionals so you can find the one right for your situation.
Empist prides itself on offering premier IT solutions to our clients. Our team strives to exceed all expectations and keep your stress minimal throughout the process. You’ll learn more about what we have to offer when you schedule a consultation today.