How are your IT strategy and your IT infrastructure? If your answer is “I’m not sure,” then you have a severe issue. In the digital age, having a reliable, secure, and dependable IT infrastructure is crucial. Since it is quite expensive to do so on-premise, many businesses utilize outsourced IT solutions.

What is outsourced IT?

Managed IT service providers offer technology solutions and expert resources. They work as an in-house IT department to develop solutions based on company needs. There are different models for IT outsourcing, and we share them below.

Onshore
Onshoring is where a vendor in the same country provides outsourced IT solutions. This is the most convenient and safest partnership since there are no cultural barriers or time zone differences.

Nearshore
Nearshore is outsourcing IT services to a vendor in a nearby country. If your business operates out of the United States, a nearshore vendor might be located in Central America. However, there may be language barriers and other barriers to consider, such as the said country’s political stability.

Offshore
Outsourcing to a country like India or Vietnam is an example of offshoring. While you might feel you’re getting a bargain, there is truth to the saying that you do get what you pay for.

Managed services
One of the most common forms of IT outsourcing is managed services. A managed service provider is an external IT company that will provide full network management for your business.

Managed services are the most popular form of IT outsourcing because you can get comprehensive network management, including these outsourced IT solutions:

• Configuration of virtual private networks
• Firewall management
• Network monitoring
• Installing VoIP and other communication software
• Disaster recovery and support
• Business continuity services

Project-based
Project-based outsourcing describes sending an IT project to a vendor for one project at a time. The arrangement is usually short-term. A project-based partnership can work for immediate fixes. Still, a long-term relationship with a trusted managed services vendor is the safest option because you have peace of mind knowing your vendor understands your infrastructure and is always on-call when you need them.

Hosting
For many businesses, running multiple servers is crucial. Nonetheless, resources and capital are limited. A company can hire a managed IT services vendor with a hosting model to run their infrastructure in a secure cloud. Instead of a large upfront investment, you’re only paying for what you use with a predictable monthly billing structure. And, you have guaranteed technical support.

Gain access to experts
Outsourcing IT is a boon for many businesses because they gain access to highly-skilled and experienced IT experts. You can find team members who possess the specializations and certifications you don’t have in-house.

Manage IT costs
When you use outsourced IT, you save on overall costs and upfront investment. In-house teams require annual salaries, benefits, and more. Further, there are equipment costs and space costs to consider. On the other hand, the managed IT services vendor already has its resources that you won’t have to fund. The vendor also provides professional development for their team. By outsourcing IT, you can access all of these benefits immediately.

Make time for core business functions
Core business functions should be your priority and the priority of your team members. Unfortunately, core business functions can get lost in the mix of everyday IT issues and fires. Productivity is decreased when you have to divide your attention between different types of problems. But, outsourcing IT takes the burden off your shoulders and gives you the time you need for addressing core business functions.

Offload some risk
Risk is a component of operating a business. Between data breaches, theft, disasters, and regulations, risks must be managed. Please don’t do it alone. Offload some risk onto your managed IT services provider who is experienced in managing compliance and cyber security.

Scale
For companies to scale in the digital age, they need the right tools and technologies. Many times, businesses don’t have the staff and resources to scale. If a surge in traffic occurs, you may consider hiring a new team of employees. But, that idea is expensive, and then you’ll have to lay them off when business operations return to normal. However, outsourced IT enables the agility needed to scale on a short-term or long-term basis. Even during busy periods, you can count on outsourced IT to meet capacity demands.

In conclusion

Outsourced IT offers many competitive advantages to businesses of all sizes. There are multiple services to choose from; select one or get them all. You can also count on a predictable monthly billing structure while having access to some of the best experts in the field. If you’re ready to learn how your business can scale while ensuring continuity, contact SSI today.