You have got to keep on top of your IT services and functionality at all times in order for your business to operate efficiently but is that aim achieved with a managed option or an in-house team?
Using someone like Windstil Responsive and Reliable IT Services, for instance, will help ensure that all of your IT systems run smoothly 24/7. In terms of options and costs, how does someone like that compare to setting up your own in-house team?
The size of your company is a key consideration
If your business has a small number of employees and the number of computer users is in single figures it is unlikely to prove cost-effective to employ an IT team to work in-house.
You would have to employ a couple of IT professionals to get the sort of coverage that you can enjoy with a managed IT option. The cost of having an IT team at your disposal at any time of the day with a managed option is likely to compare favorably to the cost of employing the number of IT specialists you need to get the same peace of mind and protection from issues disrupting your business.
If you are a large organization with hundreds of employees there is a potential argument for having an in-house team. You can justify the cost, to a certain extent, as you will have so many systems that need regular maintenance, plus hardware that needs looking after to keep them busy.
There is still the issue of coverage to think about. The cost of employing an in-house IT team that operates around the clock may still be more expensive and less flexible than relying on an externally managed option.
A service tailored to your specific requirements
Every business has unique IT needs to a certain degree. Although tasks such as maintaining a level of virus protection and ensuring that the website runs smoothly and continuously are key requirements, you may well have IT needs that are different from others.
If you employ an in-house team you will have to target people with those specialisms and you may well end up paying for someone who is underemployed in some areas because they have general IT skills.
The advantage of using a managed IT service is that you can create a support network that allows you to only pay for the services and coverage you need. That can be a much more cost-efficient way of getting the IT protection that you need.
The cost of ongoing training
It goes without saying that information technology is rapidly evolving and that means every person in your in-house team will need regular training updates to keep on top of developments.
That can prove costly. When you use a managed IT facility you are getting access to professionals who will have had all of the latest training and knowledge paid for already.
The bottom line is that when it comes down to comparing managed IT to an in-house option costs are always going to be a key consideration.
With a managed IT service you get the chance to pay a fixed monthly fee for the services you need. Paying for an in-house team is a much more variable scenario in terms of running costs.
Which option will work best for your business? Talk to a managed IT services provider to get an idea of how they could support your business and what it will cost compared to trying to manage everything internally.
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