Managed IT Solutions: The Outsourced Advantage for SMBs
SMB owners have a lot to juggle at the moment. According to the Salesforce Small and Medium Business Trends Report, some of the most constraining factors on SMB operations right now include access to capital, finding the right technology to meet their needs, and hiring the right talent. Inflation continues to drive up business costs, and on everybody’s mind right now is how to address growing cybersecurity threats and concerns.
So as an SMB leader, what IT service model works best for your business and will position you well for growth? In our opinion, when compared to other options—hiring in-house or subcontracting—managed IT outsourcing emerges as the front-runner for those aiming to stay competitive and resilient.
The Strategic Upside of Managed IT Outsourcing
Cost Efficiency
Labour costs are significant for any business. One of the most compelling advantages of outsourcing IT is cost savings as it eliminates the significant overhead associated with recruiting, training, and maintaining an in-house IT team. Instead, business owners can tap into a pool of specialised expertise at a fraction of the cost.
Additional cost benefits can be achieved by managed IT as the service can usually be scaled according to business needs. At SMIKTECK, we offer fixed-price services, however being a more boutique provider, we customise the service inclusions to only what your business needs, so as to avoid waste.
With SMIKTECK’s managed IT services, you can more easily predict your IT costs on a month-to-month basis and achieve a higher ROI of IT investment as your outsourced IT provider can give your in-house team more time to dedicate to higher-value projects, therefore increasing overall productivity.
Access to Expertise
It’s possible that your in-house IT team may have skills and training gaps that mean certain tasks are skipped or that they aren’t capable of effectively managing the whole of the company’s network on their own.
Alternatively, outsourcing to a managed IT service allows businesses to access a breadth and depth of experience across various industries and technologies – an extra team of IT experts able to troubleshoot and remediate issues before they arise.
With experience in IT management for professional services, manufacturing, retail, medical and health businesses (just to name a few), the expertise our SMIKTECK team encompasses ensures that our clients have access to the latest technological innovations and best practices, without the need to invest heavily in training or specialised personnel.
Exposure to newer technologies
A huge benefit to the outsourced model is that clients are likely to gain better access to the latest technologies and business-grade solutions. The introduction of technologies such as remote monitoring and management (RMM), backup and disaster recovery (BDR) and cloud computing could mean a real difference in your ability to maintain uptime and profitability.
Focus on Core Business
You don’t want to have to worry about your daily IT operations. By delegating IT responsibilities to an external partner, you can reallocate valuable resources and attention to your core operations. This not only boosts productivity but also enhances agility, enabling you to adapt more swiftly to market changes. Plus, the peace of mind provided by 24/7/365 coverage and proactive management of your IT is priceless.
Enhanced Security and Compliance
With cybersecurity threats on the rise, maintaining robust security measures is paramount. With an outsourced managed IT service on your side, you’ll reduce your risk and stay ahead of security issues, with advanced solutions to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
Considerations and Challenges
Dependency
Relying on external partners for critical business functions such as IT can create a dependency that can be risky if not managed properly. It’s essential to choose a reputable provider with a proven track record and to establish clear service agreements.
Communication and Control
Outsourcing can sometimes lead to challenges in communication and a perceived loss of control over IT operations. Establishing a partnership with transparent, open lines of communication and defined expectations is crucial to mitigate these concerns.
In conclusion, while outsourcing presents a few challenges that require careful navigation, its benefits—cost efficiency, access to expertise, focus on core business, and enhanced security—position it as a highly attractive model for SMBs. By choosing the right managed IT partner, businesses can leverage these advantages to foster growth, innovation, and resilience in a relentlessly evolving digital landscape.
Outsource your IT to SMIKTECK
For SMBs in Newcastle and the Hunter region, SMIKTECK stands as a trusted name, known for our managed IT services, cybersecurity expertise, and strategic consulting. The suite of services we offer ensures smooth operations and the detection of potential disturbances and vulnerabilities before they develop into more critical threats. Engaging SMIKTECK not only provides access to tailored IT solutions but also gives you the peace of mind to turn your attention to growing your business.
