The decision to outsource your IT is a big one. It's not just about the essential costs; it's also about the time and risk mitigation associated with keeping your business's technology in-house. To help you make the right move for your company, we'll look at the pros and cons of both options so that you can decide what works best for you. 

Cost Comparison of Outsourcing IT vs. Keeping Tech In-House 

There are many factors to consider when deciding whether to outsource IT services or keep it in-house. The decision depends on your business needs and your budget for technology. 

Here's a quick comparison of the costs of outsourcing tech vs. keeping it in-house: 

• You pay a flat rate to have someone else manage your technology when you outsource. This means that all of the labor and expertise required to maintain your IT infrastructure is taken care of by a third party specializing in this type of work. If something breaks down, they'll handle repairs or troubleshooting right away, so there's no disruption in productivity for employees working on deadlines—or worse yet—any downtime at all! 
• When hiring an MSP (managed services provider), they'll provide onsite support plus 24/7 monitoring services to detect any problems before they become significant issues. The best part about having expert help? They've seen it all before! MSPs have seen every situation imaginable, from clients' computers crashing during big presentations at conferences (yes, even yours) to smartphones exploding in people's pockets by accident (true story). Hiring one will save time and money since experts who know their stuff don't need any training beforehand; instead, simply jump right into fixing issues without wasting time figuring out how things work firsthand. 

How to hire a Managed Services Provider (MSP) 

If you decide to outsource your IT services, it's crucial to choose a managed services provider (MSP) that is reputable and experienced. 

The best way to ensure that your MSP has been around long enough to be trustworthy is by asking them about their specific track record of providing high-quality service for clients like yours. When hiring an MSP, consider asking them: 

• How many years have they been in business? 
• What percentage of their business comes from repeat customers? 
• How many different industries and types of companies do they serve? 

After all these questions have been answered satisfactorily, you can feel confident choosing the right managed services provider. 

Managed Services Providers vs. Break/Fix IT Providers 

For companies that need a wide range of IT services, managed service providers are a great option. However, if you only need one or two services and don't have the budget for an MSP, then break/fix providers are a better fit. 

Break/fix providers offer a single service: when something breaks, they fix it. They can only solve problems as they arise—no proactive maintenance or monitoring is included in their services—but this is usually fine for small businesses with simple IT needs because hiring someone to do it internally would be prohibitively expensive. 

Managed service providers offer more than just break/fix solutions; they provide proactive support and maintenance (along with backup systems) so that your technology works as expected without any issues occurring out of the blue (and without having to pay hourly rates). 

How to decide between hardware and software 

There are several factors to consider when deciding between hardware and software: 

• Hardware is more reliable, but it is also much more expensive. If you need a device that will be used 24/7 in your office, then it may make sense to purchase one yourself rather than paying an outsourced IT team for the same thing. 
• Software upgrades are more accessible to implement than hardware upgrades; you can install the new version of your software and keep going as usual with minimal downtime or hassle on your end. 
• You're going to want to be able to upgrade your software at some point, but this isn't always possible with certain types of hardware like printers or fax machines because they don't have any centralized processing unit (CPU) where upgrades can happen independently from whatever other parts they might have installed in them (such as print cartridges). 
• The software provides better security features than most consumer-grade hardware available today due to its ability to enforce passwords through password encryption algorithms during login sessions; this makes it harder for unauthorized users who somehow manage to get hold of physical copies. 

What is the best option for cloud storage? 

Cloud storage has become increasingly popular, especially among businesses of all sizes. This is because cloud storage offers several advantages over on-premise solutions: 

• Cloud storage is more secure than on-premise solutions. Data stored in a data center is subject to the same security risks as any other type of computer data—with one crucial difference: it's more accessible by hackers and other cybercriminals who can gain access via the Internet. By contrast, when you store your data in a cloud environment, all your information is encrypted and stored on servers located within multiple physical locations around the world. 

• Over time, cloud storage costs less than an on-site solution because it requires lower maintenance costs (e.g., fewer IT staff members). Also, note that since there's no need for expensive hardware such as servers or appliances, you'll save even more money over time by using this approach instead. 

How to transition from an on-premise Exchange server to Office 365 

When considering outsourcing IT, one of the first things to consider is how your current technology stacks up. If you have an on-premise Exchange server, you should consider transitioning to Office 365. Here's why: 

• On-premise exchange servers can be expensive to maintain and upgrade over time. 
• Office 365 eliminates the need for an on-premise server, which means no additional costs for maintenance or upgrades. 

The transition from an on-premise Exchange server hosted by yourself or a third-party provider to a cloud email service like Office 365 is not difficult; however, it requires some planning. The following steps will help ensure that your transition goes smoothly and makes sense for both your organization and budget. 

How to minimize downtime during business relocations 

If you're planning a move, you want to be sure that your IT infrastructure can make the transition smoothly. Here are some ways to minimize downtime during business relocations: 

• Plan ahead. When moving, it's essential to plan how long the move will take and what workforce will be available for each phase of the relocation process. You'll also need time for employees who must relocate from one building or office location to another. If you're moving out of state, it's best not to do so during peak seasons when everyone is busy with other projects or attending conferences. 
• Prepare your infrastructure beforehand by updating software product licenses and ensuring all hardware devices can support newer versions of those products after installation at the new office location (or home office). Also, ensure backup procedures are up-to-date so they can be used without any issues after the installation has been completed successfully without any problems whatsoever! 
• Make sure all equipment is checked thoroughly before being moved anywhere else across town or outside city limits - whether within the same building complex/building complex itself or outside city limits altogether. 

Consider time savings, risk mitigation, and cost 

When it comes to the cost of outsourcing versus keeping your business's IT in-house, the decision isn't as straightforward as you might think. It would help if you considered all the factors, including time savings, risk mitigation, and costs. When choosing your IT provider, be sure they are reputable and have experience providing services for businesses like yours. 

When making this decision, there are clear benefits of outsourcing: 

• You can focus on growing your business instead of worrying about technology issues or maintenance tasks; 
• You can focus on running a leaner operation without having to hire additional people; 
• Your company will save money because you aren't paying employees' salaries or benefits packages (including healthcare). 

To conclude 

In the end, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for outsourcing IT or keeping it in-house. It all depends on your business needs and how much time and money you want to spend on them.  

At SSI, our team of experts will ensure that your network is secure, and we'll also monitor it for any suspicious activity. We'll also make sure that all of your devices are up to date with the latest software patches and updates, so you don't have to worry about security issues with any of them—and you can focus on growing your business.