Your IT needs have to be managed as your business develops. So, should you hire a full-time IT manager, or does it make more sense to hire an outside IT consulting company? Do you even need full-time IT support?
Many small businesses don’t have an employee dedicated to IT full time. Those tasks often fall to the person at work who is “good with computers,” but not necessarily a professional.
You May Need a Full-time IT Person If:
- • The person who handles your tech needs now generates little to no billable hours.
- • Your business experiences slowdowns because of tech problems.
- • Your equipment is aging.
- • You consistently run into software issues.
- • Clients suffer because of your tech issues.
Now What?
You have two choices: hire an IT expert in-house or outsource to an IT consulting company. This option is often referred to as “managed services.” Both solutions have advantages and disadvantages.
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| In-House Employee | Consulting Company |
|---|---|
| Immediately available during business hours | IT company can monitor your systems 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
| You are their only client | Multiple tech experts that can assist you |
| They work with your employees on daily basis | No training costs to keep up with the constant change of technology |
| Invent clever ways to help them accomplish their daily tasks with solutions tailored to their individual needs | Larger pool of resources |
| You will not have to plan ahead for extra IT labor costs | Can fix issue before office opens in the morning |
| Flat, predictable costs |
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Does your company use an in-house IT employee or an outsourced managed service provider? What has been your experience? Please leave a comment below.