Considering outsourced IT support for your organisation? We look into some of the reasons why IT outsourcing is trending, the many benefits of outsourcing, as well as what to look for in an IT partner.
According to Dell Technologies’ third biennial “Digital Transformation Index 2020”, digital transformation in South Africa is a critical business driver for economic growth. 79% of local organisations fast-tracked digital transformation initiatives during the pandemic.
The fourth industrial revolution – or “4IR” – is here. It happened in the blink of an eye; faster than you can say, “Lockdown Level 5”. In our new reality, very few companies can survive without the proper computer hardware and software systems supporting their core business objectives.
Managing IT and communication infrastructure, however, takes time and money, ongoing network support and dedicated focus – something most business owners don’t have. Instead, their priority is business growth, paying salaries and suppliers, and other important stuff.
So, either you hire an internal IT task force and put them on the payroll full-time, or you partner with an outsourced IT provider that does everything for you. But which approach is best? How will it affect the company’s operating costs, and which route will provide real peace of mind in the long term?
Before making the all-important decision whether to go in-house or outsourced with your IT support, here are a few points to consider.
With outsourced IT, size doesn’t matter
There’s no “one size fits all” approach in IT. Every business has different targets, outcomes and objectives. Small businesses can’t afford to spend a large chunk of their operating costs on IT. Bigger companies need IT support to carry on quietly in the background while profit takes precedence.
One of the most significant benefits of choosing a managed service or outsourced IT support company is scalability. Small, micro and medium-sized businesses that enlist outsourced IT support only pay their outsourcing companies for the services they need. Regular maintenance is generally part of the deal.
Diversity is part of the package
While having a full-time in-house IT representative or team does have certain advantages, an outsourced team can offer more experience, versatility and a wide range of services that in-house teams may not have the capacity to handle.
IT is multi-dimensional and encompasses several must-haves, including:
- Connectivity
- Office automation
- VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)/digital telephony
- Everyday network and desktop support
- Automation
- Security systems
- Power solutions (inverters, UPS etc.)
It’s unlikely that a single IT representative or even a small IT team would be able to manage all those services simultaneously. But outsourced IT companies work for a variety of different businesses with different needs. They are generally able to provide a 360-degree basket of services because they have the workforce and experience to handle it all.
Very few of us are masters of all trades but tapping into an external team can also mean tapping into a wide range of unique skillsets. In contrast, an internal team may be limited to more specific areas of expertise.
Money talks
When you outsource, you gain access to a diverse team of senior-level IT experts without paying each of them individually, as would be the case if you hired your own in-house team. You pay upfront for the services and expertise you need without having to cover any of the benefits full-time employees expect. But you still retain immediate access to expert support, disaster management and software upgrades whenever you need them.
Ready for an upgrade?
A managed IT service provider is not just there to fix things when they break or crash. Partnering with an established digital service provider means having one go-to supplier for all your digital platforms on call.
“Partnership” is the key word here. An outsourcing partner is constantly monitoring your digital platforms. They conduct regular software upgrades, provide remote and on-site support and ensure that your digital infrastructure is always up to date with the latest technology. It’s all done for a fixed monthly fee, negotiated up front, and help is an instant message or phone call away.
Time to focus
Richard Branson said, “If you really want to grow as an entrepreneur, you’ve got to learn to delegate.”
Delegating to a managed digital services company frees up your time and resources, allowing you to focus on business, sales, customer service and output rather than being hampered by technical problems. Why not let someone else restart the computer while you focus on more important things?
Have you tried turning it off and on again?
“Support” is a word that is often used quite loosely in IT terms. Anyone who has worked in an office and had a computer freeze, a document disappear or had the dreaded “blue screen” in their eye line has probably also experienced at least one unenthusiastic response from an IT support person on the other end of the line.
With an outsourcing partner, the level of enthusiasm and willingness to help is likely to be far higher. It is in the outsourcing partner’s best interest to keep their clients happy as an external service provider. South Africa’s IT support landscape is highly competitive, and if you don’t receive the level of service you deserve, all it will take to find another partner is a quick Google search.
Your outsourced IT partner should be as invested in your business as you are because if they drop the ball and your company loses revenue as a result, there is no reason for you to continue supporting their business. Complacency is not an option in an increasingly competitive IT industry with total revenues of $8.0bn in 2020 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5% between 2016 and 2020.
Get the quality service you deserve
Established in 1983, 123mds is an “old hand” at providing professional tech support in the commercial and public sectors. 123mds delivers all the quality outsourced support you need to keep your digital infrastructure running seamlessly in the background while you get on with what you do best.
Contact our energetic sales team to partner with the one supplier for all your digital platforms today and get your IT team to work for you.
