Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic, the IT services companies are in great demand to digitize organizations of all scale and sizes. Every company, a local unit catering to a small town needs or a multinational organization catering to global customers is trying out something or the other to increase the digital footprint.
While most of the organizations do have IT departments, their key focus remains on the core business activities, client relationships, accounts, and business development. Information Technology typically comes out as a support function and requires services from third party vendors who specialize in Information Technology.
Alright, with that let us look at why you should outsource IT services and how to find an IT service provided that fits your needs well?
Why to Outsource IT Services
There are many reasons and the reasons vary for businesses of different sizes. A single person running a local shop cannot meet the technology needs, even if he is highly qualified. On the other side, a large-scale specialized business dealing in manufacturing can keep an IT department but would find it hard to scale effectively to meet varied technology needs, including for example, the digitization of payroll of its employees.
Also, as the organizations grow, their IT requirements increase, networks become complex, infrastructure needs increase, applications landscape becomes much wide, and a lot more.
Furthermore, the systems connected over the network become very fragile due to hacking, ransomware and other threats presented by the internet.
Verizon’s data breach report tells us that 58 percent of cyberattacks target startups and small businesses, specifically since their IT departments are not mature enough to handle it all. For sure, startups can enhance the IT departments, but the cost to do so would be humongous and a big burden on the core business.
This is where outsourcing to IT services companies comes into play! Having a specialized IT services company can help ensure your systems run 24/7, your network is protected, your printers are connected, your travel expenses are registered, taxes are calculated, cloud storage questions are answered and a lot more.
What more, you don’t even have to worry about cybersecurity or network connectivity, and can devote more time to expanding your business.
Alright, let us outsource IT services!
Well, this too is not as easy as it sounds! What would you do if there are hundreds of companies/agencies/software houses out there? How would you know which one can add value to your business effectively to maximize the ROI? What questions should you ask a company before hiring them?
This article lists few vital points to help you choose an IT services company. Let us look at what are the key points of consideration to find the right IT outsourcing partner –
What To Look for in an IT services Company?
Your business’s integrity shouldn’t be compromised, and the IT service provider needs to ensures this and operate like an extension to your own organization.
However, to trust a bust, you must consider a few factors before shaking hands with any IT services company. Here are a few!
Pricing Catalog and Transparency
You are paying for the obvious reason, so the pricing catalog should be clear and transparent. Before confirming the deal, make sure the pricing detail is transparent enough and doesn’t bring any disguise charges when it comes to billing.
Take your time to learn the full pricing plan, including implementation fees, extra integration fees, hardware services charges, service calls, 24/7 help desk support, taxes, overheads, subscription charges and more.
Prioritize Compatibility
The service demands vary from niche to niche, and for that reason, an IT services needs for a healthcare organization may not fit completely to a manufacturing company. So, identify partners that have expertise to deliver services in the niche of your business.
Furthermore, you will find providers that cater to the needs of Windows PCs, while others mainly target Macs and Linux, and Solaris. These seem smaller things in the overall scheme of things, but are very important to be looked at right at the time of partner selection.
Clarifying each and everything at the initial stages can save you from so much future hassle. A conductive interview along with the company’s internal software expert will be a great seat to drip and draw everything.
Check Customer Service Record
Well, don’t forget to check the client reviews for that specific IT services company. Conduct extensive research to know the service record to learn how the company would ultimately deal with your business technology and you as a client.
Talking to past or current clients and asking for a reference can provide you good data points to decide if you can give your most sensitive data in the hands of the IT services provider or not.
Don’t hesitate to ask and clear all your queries related to security, integrity, updates, and upgrades for your company’s technology.
You would get some valuable recommendations as well during all these processes.
Internal ITaaS – A Developing Approach
One of the prevailing practices in recent years is that most businesses are opting for creating their own ITaaS wings cooperating with their existing structure and third-party vendors.
It is important that internal IT department must have direct control over IT services of internal team as well as on the services provided by partners. It is simpler for the IT department to do its job if it controls funding, scheduling, and resources overall.
You can’t let go of the internal IT team fully from your business model even after outsourcing the IT services. Keeping a little expert control from your side would be a wise idea.
The idea allows ITaaS departments to build service contracts and monetize their skills, which makes the value of the IT department more apparent.
Other Considerations
IT vendors typically manage the services remotely, so, you might need a physically present team to execute instructions that your service provider gives over the phone or via email if you have an issue with your printer or in your server room, for instance. Most service providers do offer onsite support but you must ensure it is part of the contract because it may cost more.
The managed service provider also isn’t a magic bullet for your business technology. You can hire a support company to keep software like a CRM running, but they won’t be able to train your team how to use it or customize it to meet your needs, especially when your core business will remain yours. So, ensure that you sort out any training needs well
Putting all aside, the benefits of outsourcing your business technology needs can alleviate these impediments to a great extent.
Closing Thoughts
All in all, the best IT services companies are more inclined to work as a business partner, so be the best steward of your goals. You can save time and money by putting your trust in an IT service company, whether to build your infrastructure from the ground or supplement your existing internal IT department.
Make sure you are up with your homework before settling for the one “The Best.”
The success portal of your company will be the next level when you get to interact with a trustworthy IT support company.
Don’t let the disguise costs eat up your budget!
