In today's blog, we break down the various IT roles that make up a businesses IT department and compare the functions of these roles in-house with outsourced IT structures -- including hybrid options and capabilities.
Since technology is advancing at an accelerated speed and changing the digital ecosystem in the business realm, it is both an exciting and challenging time for global industries. Businesses’ technology needs are growing, but so is their capability of supporting those needs.
The truth is, we have become so dependent on technology that any disruption can lead to catastrophic consequences. Every business needs a reliable and effective information systems support department to reduce IT costs, stay competitive, and tackle systems issues that arise.
Furthermore, enterprises attain higher agility and flexibility thanks to outsourced IT support, which allows them to optimize their operations and consequently maximize their profits.
Let’s take a look at how information technology specialists who can provide guidance and help ensure that the systems the IT department manages run smoothly.
Outsourcing IT support may be the most viable option for startups and small businesses as they tend to lack trained IT personnel . Larger companies may need to employ both mobile and desk-based staff, so their decision may be less clear.
With an in-house IT support team, you will have dedicated personnel that can immediately address hardware and software issues as they appear. There is also the apparent benefit of consistent costs as team members’ salaries remain the same each month.
The disadvantages include possible hidden costs (e.g., hiring a full-time professional) and providing them with an office, desk, computer, payroll account, and other benefits that may drive the cost even higher.
On the other hand, outsourcing IT support tends to be less expensive as much of the costs are spread over multiple clients due to the managed IT services model. Not to mention, you don’t have to worry about expenses related to training or certifying IT staff.
Furthermore, with companies like Managed Solution, you get 24/7/365 service and monitoring, as we offer around-the-clock access to IT support specialists.
As for the cons, some business leaders may not feel that their outsourced tech specialists are part of the team. When computer issues arise or when you need advice on the future of technology within your company, some feel that they need to spend time bringing them up to speed.
A way this matter is countered is through finding a provider that puts the people of your company first and cultivates a team of experts with a history of seamless integrations with in-house teams and IT infrastructures of all shapes and sizes.
At Managed Solution, for example, we pride ourselves in these very facets of support, so that you get expert specialists who transition into your organization with ease.
The changes new technologies bring to the business environment are disruptive, and the way economy functions is changing fast. The traditional business hierarchical systems are dissolving. The lines between CEO, CIO, CTO, and CFO roles are blurring as a consequence.
Let’s dive into these IT roles, which are so crucial in today’s digital age.
A Chief Information Officer is a C-level executive that oversees the IT needs of a company. They don’t deal with operational responsibilities (IT directors do that) since their responsibilities and skills are much different than they were 10-20 years ago (and they continue to evolve and adapt).
CIOs are responsible for strategic planning of business growth objectives and creating business value through technology. They oversee the development of customer service platforms, ensure tech procedures and systems lead to desired business outcomes, and manage development and IT team personnel.
They also establish IT standards, strategies, and policies while dealing with IRM (information risk management). CIOs are an important part of a company’s digital transformation.
The position of a Chief Technology Officer is thought to be one of the vaguest roles because it depends on many factors, such as business area, the number of outsourced/in-house workers, business processing style, etc. The CTO is there to solve tech challenges, work with IT personnel, and keep the organization running.
Their daily duties vary from company to company, but they are usually focused on external clients who purchase the company’s products. CTOs should be informed on the latest innovations, staying on the cutting edge of technology to allow the organization to offer the best products.
The responsibilities of an IT director may include managing a team of employees, overseeing the infrastructure of technical operations, increasing user satisfaction, eliminating security risks, maintaining systems and operations, and tracking technology to achieve business goals.
An IT director is the person who oversees the people dealing with these tasks, and he or she is responsible for answering questions such as,
VP of IT is responsible for planning the IT future for the company, as well as for the implementation of systems and their maintenance. Also, he or she must ensure maximum stability and uptime in the organization’s computer networks and systems.
The VP of IT is a technology leader who must be able to plan for the company and rally the troops around the plan, especially when new training is required for system changes and upgrades. In most companies, the VP of IT reports to the CIO.
An IT support engineer is responsible for resolving any IT tasks at hand. They assist the project manager in managing projects, database administration, information security, installing new software, hardware installations, and other tasks to help the department perform their duties.
They need to have deep technical knowledge to be able to address problems efficiently and quickly. They are there to provide tech support for any IT-related issue, dealing with tasks such as:
If you’ve ever come across the term Managed Service Provider (MSP), it is a concept in which organizations and companies outsource specific services to companies specialized in providing them.
If you run a small or medium-sized company, you probably don’t need or cannot afford to hire a CIO, CTO, and IT director. What you can do is outsource a company specialized in providing IT support services that hires professionals who can perform those functions.
MSPs regularly perform areas of business activity such as:
They can provide Software-as-a-Service and offer remote storage or servers. Some managed service providers are specialized in providing hard-to-find IT expertise to assist users with usage difficulties or prevent issues on a client’s system.
Large enterprises usually need to segment their IT support department and hire IT specialists (such as a CIO, CTO, IT director, VP of IT, etc.) to drive their tech development, implement the latest tech solutions, and oversee maintenance.
As for startups and SMBs, these organizations are focused on growth but don’t have enough resources to create an in-house IT support team. In that case, outsourcing help from MSPs is often the only viable and cost-effective option to get access to IT experts to support their business growth.
After looking at this breakdown of Outsourced IT, it's easy to see that companies of all shapes and sizes have multitudes of benefits to access including reduced costs, optimized operations, and a breadth of knowledge to access 24/7/365 days a year.
If you're considering Outsourcing IT, contact us today to learn more about what this can look like for your business and understand how we can support your IT goals to achieve greater success.
In this article, we'll go into everything that encompasses IT support, why businesses need it, whether it's in-house or outsourced, and tips for how to select the best IT support for your business.
Startup and small business owners face many challenges when trying to grow their business – client dependence, insufficient staff, and balancing the need to increase sales with the desire to create quality products and services. When it comes to allocating limited funds, the lack of capital leads to making some tough decisions, and one area that they often neglect is IT support. Today’s businesses rely on IT networks and systems to conduct their daily operations. Also, more and more businesses report suffering cybersecurity breaches.
Without trained IT professionals on your side, experiencing tech issues or breaches could inflict a lot more damage to your IT infrastructure. If you are relying on non-qualified professionals or IT support from your local tech store, it is time to reassess your strategy to protect your organization’s and your client’s best interests. In this complete guide to IT support, we will discuss why IT is essential to businesses, management systems, and customer success.
The best IT support options improve efficiency levels and are flexible enough to grow with your company, particularly during a digital transformation. An efficient IT support team is equipped with the technical skills to support productivity, network performance, and information security by:
Commonly known as tech support, IT support is composed of IT professionals with computer science expertise that are available 24/7 to provide help to a company with various problems related to their computer system or network system. It covers a wide range of areas or any type of hardware or software that your personnel might be using at the office. The two main options a company has when it comes to choosing IT support are outsourcing and employing an in-house IT support team. Are there any differences between in-house or outsourced IT management? How can you decide what is best for your company?
When choosing between in-house and outsourced tech support, there are many issues and differences to consider. The majority of companies today have at least some IT support requirements, and their requirements are integral for establishing the seamless and smooth running of daily operations. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of both in-house and outsourced options.
Having an in-house IT support team means that your IT department is located inside the business. You need to hire IT experts to run that department and will have complete control over their actions. The benefits of building an in-house tech support team include.
As for the disadvantages, we need to point out the high costs and additional spending when forming and maintaining an in-house team of IT professionals. If any issues appear after-hours, the employer may incur overtime expenses. Staff members may not have enough experience or time to provide the necessary IT support. Relying on a very small in-house team could cause problems in terms of holiday cover, sickness, or resignation. If one person falls sick and another is on holiday, who is responsible for covering issues outside normal business hours? You cannot expect one or two people to be on call every day during the year because you will be putting business continuity exposed to huge risks. That’s something you don’t need to worry about when your IT helpdesk is outsourced.
When you take into account the cost of hiring, benefits, employment, ineffectiveness, downtime, or turnover, the costs may hit the ceiling. Because of this, building an in-house IT support team is a viable option for larger organizations.
Outside providers or IT support are called Managed Service Providers (MSPs), and thanks to them, companies can outsource every IT support needed to a third-party team of IT professionals. These industry experts have the skills, resources, and time to fully manage your data storage needs, IT infrastructure, and cybersecurity needs from a remote location. MSPs can help come up with an efficient and cost-effective IT solution that's flexible enough to support your growing business needs. They will also reassess your needs at regular intervals to determine whether your IT solutions need to be adjusted or upgraded.
With an outsourced IT support team, all your IT issues will be resolved externally by a third-party IT support provider. The benefits of outsourcing IT support include:
The cost is the most apparent benefit when outsourcing IT support. Because they specialize in IT support, MSPs usually have more experience, talent, tools, and resources for dealing with IT issues. The best MSPs provide 24/7 support, so if any tech issues arise during off-hours, you can rest assured that they will be handled as quickly as possible. They will proactively monitor your system to prevent problems from occurring in the first place.
The disadvantages of your outsourced IT support provider will mostly depend on the quality of service of the provider. These may include problems such as unexpected costs written in the fine print and terms and conditions of the contract. Furthermore, overseas teams cannot visit you on site, so if you have any hardware issues, they may not be able to resolve them quickly. Outsourcing a local team, however, comes with benefits such as regular system checkups and dedicated on-site support.
Whether in-house or outsourced, regardless of the company type and size, businesses that use technology for performing their daily operations need professional IT support. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why your enterprise needs an IT support team.
Are your company's technological assets up-to-date in regards to the latest tech advancements that fit your business? If not, your IT support team can bring cutting-edge technologies that can advance your company's potential. Also, you will invest less energy and time learning about new technologies. You can use those tech advancements to look for further means of development and expansion to propel your company's objectives. In this regard, IT support provides access to special resources that might not have been accessible before.
Regardless of the type of business you run, you collect data and sensitive information that’s essential to protect. Having a solid cybersecurity strategy and backup systems in place are absolutely critical to help protect that information. Your IT support team will ensure the majority of the security and backup functions to help keep the confidential customer, employee, and company data safe and secure against cyber-attacks. In case any documents are lost, your IT support team will be able to recover it.
Over time, your enlisted IT support will help you save money and bring a higher ROI to your company. You won’t need to stress over software investments and costly repairs. You will pay a fixed rate on a monthly basis and won’t experience unexpected costs or fees. MSPs offer service options that are adaptable to different financial plans. In other words, the tech support area is a costly part of businesses today, and putting resources into the right service provider implies picking monetary security.
Every company is unique, and its needs and demands vary, which means that there’s no one-size-fits-all type of tech support service. You need a specialized IT support team to make sure you get modified administration that is customized to fit the ways your company works. The personnel in MSP tech support teams have been carefully chosen from a pool of qualified candidates and have been thoroughly prepared for the job. Your IT support provider will have alternatives and abilities you will not find elsewhere.
Company owners are always trying to find new ways and approaches to improve their company’s productivity, and technology itself can help them achieve that. However, both hardware and software solutions experience bugs, issues, and perplexities, and without the right people to take care of those issues, your technology can diminish productivity. An IT support team will guarantee that the productivity from using tech solutions is augmented and that you’ll be able to use it for what it’s made for – to help you achieve business objectives more rapidly.
What's more exhausting and stressful than having to deal with computer-related issues? We all face those issues from time to time. The truth is that you and your staff know how to use the technology but don't have the tech-savvy to fix it when it malfunctions. Your IT support team is there to take on those issues and relieve you of the stress that comes with them. That will give more time and energy to focus on tasks and projects significant to the business, such as employee management and strategy building.
Managed Service Providers are usually specialized in providing IT expertise that would otherwise be hard to find. Larger organizations can afford to build an in-house IT department, segment it, and assign different IT roles, such as CIO (Chief Information Officer), CTO (Chief Technology Officer), IT Director, Vice President of IT, IT Support Engineer, and others who are responsible for driving their tech development, protecting against cyber-attacks, and taking care of the organization’s technologies overall. In startups and small businesses, all these roles fall onto one or a handful of people that can’t manage the workload themselves or don’t have the knowledge or experience to perform all the functions. By hiring an MSP, you will get access to the expertise you need at an affordable price and a fixed monthly rate.
Managed Service Providers offer services such as:
So, you've decided to hire an IT support provider. But how do you choose the right one for your business? When it comes to choosing among the many MSPs out there, we advise you first to understand what makes an IT support provider good and reliable. You need to know what questions to ask to see whether the MSP you are interviewing is worth your money and time.
The MSP business model has been around for years, meaning that there was enough time for a company to build its reputation and establish a good track record. Ask them how long they have been in the business and take a look at the historical data to check for any red flags in how they conduct their business.
Once you determine your IT needs, you will know what kind of services you need from an MSP. Ask them what services you will be receiving according to the pricing model you choose and figure out whether they fit within your current IT needs and business model.
Does the MSP have any service-level agreement (SLA) in place? An SLA is a commitment between you (the client) and the service provider. What you want from your MSP is fast response times to any issues that might arise, keeping your systems managed and your data secured, and this is where SLAs are essential. If a service provider doesn’t have an SLA in place, you might end up waiting for hours or days before they respond to your request. As for the contract they offer, ask what the contract duration is and how transparent it is. With businesses such as Managed Solution, you get a 60-day no-fee opt-out clause that allows you to test the service and cancel whenever you feel like it.
Local IT issues that need immediate attention usually cannot be solved by an IT support team located somewhere overseas. Due to the lack of on-site support and language capabilities, overseas service providers often offer much lower prices for their services. Also, these companies may experience unreliable Internet speeds that result in slow upload/download speeds. You need to know that your business won’t suffer because your IT support team from a remote location has a poor Internet connection. As for local IT support, you will have peace of mind knowing that your IT support provider uses the same Internet provider that you do.
What if a tech problem occurs after-hours and you don’t have anyone to address issues or customer requests immediately? Leaving an issue unaddressed for several hours is enough for that issue to turn into something more serious. Customer success relies on around-the-clock IT support availability, but not all MSPs offer that. Improve the customer experience by finding an MSP that can begin to work on your IT problems immediately, even if your in-house personnel are at home sleeping.
Every business is unique when it comes to their online business operations, so you'll want to hire an MSP that is familiar with how your business functions. While IT professionals do not focus on having a marketing and sales approach to close more deals, they need to understand your branding, public relations, and marketing strategy, especially if they engage with your customers via live chat. They need to grasp your product description and recognize your needs, along with your target audience's pain points, so that they don't cause more problems, such as ruining the buying experience for potential customers.
Instead of reacting to issues arising from customer feedback, satisfaction surveys, and ticket systems, your IT support provider should take a proactive approach and prevent issues from happening in the first place. They need to closely monitor your IT infrastructure and network, collect and analyze the data, and recognize potential problems before they become a problem.
With a flexible contract, you will be able to add or remove staff in your remote IT support team. That’s critical for businesses that plan to scale. However, you need to know that some outsourcing companies have small teams that won’t be able to provide additional staff when you need them. Focus on finding an MSP that’s not understaffed.
The best way to find out if an MSP is as reliable as they present themselves is through testimonials and references from their former or current clients. Customer satisfaction has always been a benchmark of success, so be sure to check their website, social media pages, LinkedIn profile, and review sites for previous experiences.
It’s the year 2020, and more and more businesses are relying on technology to deliver an enhanced user experience. Some use it to support certain processes, while others may have integrated it into the foundation of their business. When identifying your business objectives for the year, considering the right IT support needs to be at the top of your list. IT support solutions will help maximize your company efficiency, save money in the long run, protect your digital assets, and keep your employees and clients happy.
Learn more about our IT services.
There are many issues to consider when choosing between in-house and outsourced IT support. It is important to mention that the overwhelming majority of companies today have some sort of IT support requirement, and these requirements are integral from the smooth and seamless running of day-to-day operations.
It's not enough to think about the overall IT requirements of the company but also the individual needs of every department within the organization. It is fairly evident that most businesses require some dedicated IT support, but the main issue is in regards to whether to build an in-house team or go for an outsourced option.
Below, we'll provide a short rundown of pros and cons of each option, be it an in-house or an outsourced IT support department.
In-house IT support refers to your IT department located inside your business. It also implies that you will have to hire the people necessary to run this department and that you will have full control over them and their actions.
There are several benefits to building your IT support team. For starters, an in-house IT support can provide you with quick backing when it's most needed. Likewise, such a group will also have a more intimate knowledge of your IT infrastructure, giving the opportunity to fix problems quicker. Finally, you can pick and choose the members of this team to best fit within your company culture.
On the downside, however, it can take a lot of time before you put together the right team. The costs of forming and maintaining such a group should also not be underestimated, taking into account the cost of hiring, employment, benefits, downtime, ineffectiveness, or turnover. There is also the issue of working hours and how off-hours IT problems will be handled when nobody is there, etc.
An outsourced IT support implies that any IT problems will get fixed externally. In other words, a partner company will look after all of your systems and will mostly fix any emerging issues remotely.
One benefit that immediately becomes apparent with outsourcing your IT support is the cost. In most cases, you will be charged monthly and provided with a breakdown of what services you are getting. You will not have to worry about hiring or managing this team, as well as all the costs that come with it.
It's also important to mention that these outsourcing companies specialize in IT support, meaning that they usually have more tools, resources, talent, and experience in dealing with these sorts of issues. In most cases, you will also have access to 24/7 support, so that any problems that may arise during your off-hours will be handled. And in addition to around-the-clock support, you will also have similar monitoring that decreases the chance of outages happening in the first place.
The disadvantages of an outsourced IT support team mostly depend on the company you partner up with. These include issues such as the terms and conditions of the contract as well as any unexpected costs located in the fine print. Another downside is that they are not on-site, meaning that if there's a hardware problem, the issue will not be resolved immediately. However, many MSPs such as Managed Solution offer on-site support and can proactively visit to ensure there are no issues or be readily available if and when one arises.
The decision of whether you should go for an in-house or an outsourced IT support team ultimately boils down the individual needs of your company. An in-house team will be more intimate with your system, but they will cost you much more and could limit the skill sets equired.
An outsourced IT support team, on the other hand, will be far less expensive, have more expertise and flexibility and will provide you with 24/7 support. If you do decide on the latter, we strongly suggest that you carefully read the entire contract, the services you will receive, and make sure that they align with your needs.
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