Why More Companies Use Small Business IT Outsourcing

Summary:

• The benefits of IT outsourcing for your small and midsized business (SMB)
• Why more small and midsized companies are now outsourcing their IT to professional managed IT providers

For any SMB owner, time and resources are precious. You have many diverse responsibilities beyond your core business. One priority, keeping your technology running without a hitch, is more important than ever. However, keeping up with your company's IT demands can easily become overwhelming. That is why more SMBs are moving to outsourced IT. It’s strategic and scalable as your company grows. It allows you to concentrate on your business with confidence that your tech needs are being managed by IT experts. One phone call to your managed provider brings expert IT help and advice.

What Is Small Business IT Outsourcing? Do I Need it?

IT outsourcing means hiring an external IT service provider to perform your SMB's tech functions. Many SMBs need full-time IT support—others only need assistance weekly or monthly and for regular maintenance. In either case, outsourcing IT gets you access to knowledgeable and experienced IT pros—removing the burden of hiring, training and managing an in-house team. That’s why outsourced IT for small businesses is the best option for SMB owners.

Q: What is small business IT outsourcing, and why is it important?

A: Think of IT outsourcing renting a techie instead of buying one. i.e. it’s the practice of hiring an external IT provider. I that allows you to access expert support, reduce overhead costs and focus on running your business.

What Are the Benefits of Outsourced IT for Small Businesses?

There are many convincing reasons to consider outsourcing your tech needs. Here are some of the top-line benefits of outsourcing IT to consider:

• Savings — You only pay a set fee for the number of computer “seats” being managed. No overhead, no hiring, no training of IT employees
• Expert support — Gain access to a wide range of specialists and experience without having to hire each one individually
• Scalability — Need to scale up or down? Outsourcing makes it easy to adapt to changing demands
• Increased cyber security — Outsourced teams provide stronger security and can help ensure compliance by using the newest protocols and cyber security industry best practices
• Freedom to focus on your core business — Free up your team’s time to focus on daily operations and driving business growth

Flexibility is a key advantage of IT outsourcing. Whether you're experiencing unprecedented rapid growth, dealing with higher seasonal demand or launching a brand-new product, your business IT services must adjust quickly without causing disruption.

Q: What are the big benefits of outsourced IT for small businesses?

A: Outsourcing IT offers a bundle of benefits that range from cost savings to expert support to better scalability, more robust cyber security and the peace to focus on core business operations.

Is Managed IT for Small Business the Same as Outsourcing?

Not exactly, but they’re closely related. Managed IT for small business typically refers to a long-term service agreement with an IT provider that handles your daily tech operations. It’s outsourcing, but with a consistently proactive approach. It isn’t prudent if you only react to issues as they pop up. A managed IT partner can work proactively with you and your tech to prevent problems before they impact your operations. Having predictable monthly costs, responsive support and a skilled outsourced IT partner who can learn to understand your business goals could be the perfect solution for you. You can turbo-charge the benefits of outsourced IT with layers of informed strategic planning, proactive maintenance and diligent 24/7 monitoring.

Q: How is managed IT for small business different from general outsourcing?

A: Managed IT is a long-term, proactive outsourcing model—it goes beyond simply fixing problems (break-fix model) and patching software and instead focuses on continuous monitoring, strategic planning and preventative maintenance.

Why Is IT Outsourcing So Popular Now?

Outsourcing is on the rise. Here’s why:

• Hybrid models and remote work — People don’t go to the office like they used to, so businesses need flexible and secure systems that support employees wherever they are
• Cyber security threats — Threats have become more complex and pervasive than ever. Reputable IT firms know how to integrate security into company tech systems. They deploy upfront protective measures to benefit your system security and reduce vulnerability
• Cloud management — Using the cloud for applications and data storage has become more popular. IT guidance for the cloud is essential for migrating and managing cloud platforms efficiently
• Job market talent shortages — Recruiting, training and retaining reliable IT staff is difficult and costly. Outsourcing eliminates management headaches
• Ongoing digital transformation — As clients expect more streamlined and tech-driven services, businesses must modernize to deliver what the market expects

If you’ve ever felt like your internal team is stretched too thin or your current systems are holding you back, then these trends probably sound familiar. IT outsourcing can be a game-changer when it comes to catching up and staying ahead.

Q: Why are more SMBs turning to IT outsourcing now?

A: The popularity of IT outsourcing has grown in response to remote work needs, increasing cyber threats, cloud adoption, IT talent shortages and the pressure of digital transformation.

How Do You Know If It’s Time to Outsource Your IT?

Many small business owners delay outsourcing until a crisis arises. But waiting too long can be costly. If your team is spending too much time on fixing IT issues and clunky workarounds, or if you've experienced any of these issues, it's probably time to switch to an outsourcing solution:

• Experienced costly downtime
• Have concerns about cyber security
• Plan to grow the number of employees or add new technology
• Need predictable IT costs for budgeting

If any of these situations sound familiar, it’s time to explore managed IT for small business or other outsourced models. The right partner can assess your current environment, identify gaps and build a roadmap that aligns with your goals.

How Does IT Outsourcing Support Better Client Experiences?

Your clients expect fast, reliable service—and that depends heavily on your technology. If your systems are slow, buggy or prone to crashes, it affects everything from response time to client trust. Making the switch to IT outsourcing brings access to the tools and expertise you need to keep your system connected and responsive.

IT experts can also help with a lot of typical problems, from integrating systems to automating tasks and streamlining workflows. All of those changes lead to faster service and more personalized client interactions. The approach can be a boon for anyone managing a CRM platform, running e-commerce operations or providing digital or professional services. That’s because an outside team helps make sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.

Can Outsourcing Help You Stay Compliant?

Compliance is more than a checkbox. Depending on your industry, you may be subject to strict regulations around data protection, privacy and digital communications. Mistakes can lead to serious fines, ongoing legal actions and loss of reputation.

Many outsourced IT for small businesses providers specialize in compliance. They understand HIPAA, GDPR, PCI-DSS and other standards, and they know how to put in place safeguards that keep your business protected. This is one of the most overlooked—but vital—benefits of outsourced IT. By using an outsourced team, you can make sure your systems comply with the regulations and get successful audits.

How Should I Select an IT Outsourcing Partner?

Cost, expertise and experience can vary among outsourced IT providers. When researching IT partners, ask questions about their IT support services:

• Do they have experience with businesses of your size?
• Can they offer proactive support, not just reactive fixes?
• Are they open about pricing and service levels?
• Do they have specialists in areas such as cloud, security or compliance?
• Can they scale up as your business grows?

You want more than just technical expertise. Look for an IT services partner who takes the time to understand your business.

Is IT Outsourcing Really Worth Your Investment?

Take a look at the money side of things. If you really sit down and calculate the costs of system downtime, lost productivity and the effort it takes to recruit and train an in-house IT team, then compare that to the cost of hiring an outside provider, you’ll find that IT outsourcing is a smarter financial move—but it’s not just about saving some money. The perks of outsourcing go way beyond a balance sheet. You could also pick up a strategic partner—one who can help you plan for the future, steer clear of unnecessary risks and reach better outcomes.

Does Your SMB Need Small Business IT Outsourcing?

The landscape of business technology is changing fast. If you want to stay competitive, cyber-secure and focused on what you do best, it may be time to explore small business IT outsourcing. Whether you choose a fully managed approach or a more flexible support model, you’ll gain the confidence of knowing your IT is in expert hands. Contact an experienced local managed IT provider to help you turn technology from a challenge into a strategic advantage.