There’s no question that IT plays a pivotal role in many business operations today across the Wirral region. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a law firm or a local manufacturer – if you want to be successful, you need to have a reliable, efficient IT infrastructure in place.
This is where the question of in-house IT teams vs external IT support arises. Many Wirral businesses struggle with the decision of whether to keep their IT operations in-house or outsource them to a third-party provider.
Both approaches have pros and cons, and the best solution for your business will ultimately depend on your specific needs. However, how does it stack up from a purely budgetary perspective?
Which is Cheaper, Hiring In-House or Outsourcing IT Support?
While it’s impossible to give a definitive answer (circumstances will dictate different costs for different businesses), there are some general trends regarding the costs of each approach.
In most cases, it’s cheaper to outsource your IT support to a reputable provider than to keep things in-house. That’s because when you outsource, you only have to pay for the services you use – and you can often get them at a discounted rate thanks to the economies of scale that IT support providers enjoy.
In-house teams, on the other hand, tend to be much more expensive. Not only do you have to pay salaries and benefits for your team members, but you also need to invest in the infrastructure and tools they need to do their job – which can quickly add up.
Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule – so it’s essential to carry out an extensive cost-benefit analysis before deciding either way.
What Are the Other Factors to Consider Beyond Cost?
While cost is always going to be an important consideration, it’s not the only factor you need to take into account when deciding whether to go with an in-house IT team or external support.
Here are some other things you need to think about:
Complexity of Needs
If your business has very complex IT needs, it may be better to keep things in-house so you have more control over the situation. For example, in some industrial settings, companies need an IT technician on-site to manage and maintain the networked machinery while being available within seconds in the case of an IT-related emergency.
However, as time progresses and more operational infrastructure is migrated to the cloud, the need for on-site IT support decreases – making outsourcing a more viable option, even for complex needs.
Response Time
Another aspect to consider is how quickly you need someone to respond in the event of an IT issue. If you have an in-house team, they can be contacted within seconds and be on the scene within minutes to resolve the problem.
With external IT support, there may be a slight delay while someone is dispatched to your location. However, most providers offer remote IT support options that can often resolve the issue without needing an on-site visit – meaning you won’t necessarily have to wait any longer for a resolution.
Flexibility and Scalability
Something else you need to consider is each option’s flexibility (and, therefore, scalability).
Outsourced IT support is much more flexible and scalable than having an in-house team. For example, let’s say your startup business is going through a growth phase, and you need to increase your IT support. If you have an in-house team, you’ll need to hire (and potentially train) more staff – which can be costly and time-consuming. However, if you outsource your IT support, you can simply scale up the services you’re receiving from your provider to meet your needs.
Conversely, if your business is going through a downsizing phase, it’s much easier to scale back your IT support when you outsource – rather than having to lay off members of your in-house team.
The Verdict: Outsourced IT Support is Often More Cost-Effective and Delivers a Host of Additional Advantages
Ultimately, while you can’t currently definitively say outsourced IT support is a more cost-effective option for your Wirral business, the truth is that the vast majority of the time, it is.
Not only is outsourcing your IT support a move that will likely see your firm save money, but it often provides additional advantages in terms of flexibility, scalability, and expertise. So, if you’re on the fence about outsourcing your IT support or keeping things in-house, we recommend that you consider all the factors – not just cost – before making a decision.
At Corp Networking, we offer comprehensive IT support packages for businesses of all sizes across the Wirral region. We tailor our support to your individual needs, so you can be confident you’re only paying for the services you need.
To find out more about our IT support packages, or to discuss your specific requirements, contact our team today on 0151 334 2543.
