When should you look into outsourcing your IT services to a managed IT service provider?

No doubt, when thinking about your company and making a decision regarding your IT Support; the question of “When am I big enough to outsource my IT?” is raised. When is it appropriate to use Managed Servicesfor a small business?

Size does not matter

A business of any size can benefit from outsourcing IT to a managed services IT provider.  Receiving professional advice and support for IT services within a business can provide greater future insight on technology, bringing efficiency and economic advantages no matter the size of your company.  Saving time on support queries, reducing time spent on YouTube or using search engines to solve simple IT issues, which allows time to be spent on your business.

Our client base ranges from individual traders, right up to multi-national companies, we do not discriminate by size & will offer the same level of support to a sole trader as a corporate client.

Assess internal ability

If your small business can be helped by outsourcing your IT management, then firstly you must assess the business’ own capabilities, with its current staff and existing facilities.  These constraints determine the level of IT support needed.

• How long do you or your staff currently spend on IT issues, can you measure this easily?
• Clarify the time spent by asking yourself and your staff how often they support one another with internal IT problems. Rather than working in their own business roles?
• Can you assess if this time spent dealing with internal issues has grown as your business business has grown?
• Are the level of IT and computing issues regularly beyond the technical expertise of yourself and your staff?
• Can you identify the types of services you currently use and their associated costs?
• Jot down an idea of your current spend on computing and IT and also consider any security needs and potential vulnerabilities in your business.
• Do you feel your business suitably manages data, backups, security, email and business continuity?
• Do you know where all your services are held & who to contact in an emergency or to change providers?

If you moved to a managed IT service and support would you gain time & knowledge that could enhance your business?

Consider current costs

Consider each area of IT that your business uses where there is expenditure.  Sometimes a managed IT provider will cover those costs within their contracts. Offsetting any new expenditure.

Can hosted VOIP telephony (phone lines) and business broadband be incorporated to the new provider’s IT support contract? a further financial offset.  Does your new supplier offer Managed Print Services, this can often help with printing expenditure, bringing tighter budgeting.  What are Telecoms? Can we help?

Does this help you answer the question “When to use Managed IT Services?”

Read a client testimonial here to help with your decision.

Want to change your IT service provider? Read our article here

Interested in learning how J&J Systems can help you?  Drop us an email or give us a call on 01227 371375 today.