In recent years, more and more businesses have moved away from maintaining an in-house IT department, choosing instead to outsource their IT needs to a Managed Service Providers (MSP). This trend is driven by a several compelling advantages offered by MSPs, which can provide businesses with a more cost-effective, scalable, and specialised IT solution.
One of the more compelling reasons to move to managed IT is the cost. Maintaining an in-house IT department can be incredibly expensive, with costs including salaries, benefits, training, and the purchase and maintenance of hardware and software. Outsourcing to an MSP, on the other hand, is much more cost-effective. MSPs typically operate on a subscription model, whereby you pay a set monthly fee for a package of services and solutions, much the same as many other subscription services you are signed up to. This makes IT costs more predictable, and most likely lower, than maintaining an in-house department.
MSPs are IT specialists, with a depth and breadth of knowledge that can be difficult for in-house departments to match. As technology evolves rapidly, keeping up with the latest developments, threats, and opportunities can be a full-time job. MSPs are committed to staying at the forefront of technological advancements and security trends, and this expertise is shared with their clients. What this means is that by leveraging your MSP you will have access to the latest technologies and security measures without having to invest in extensive training or hiring additional staff. No matter the size of your business, be it 10, 20 or 200 staff, with an MSP you are always getting enterprise level support.
Another advantage of MSPs is their scalability. As your business grows, your IT needs will grow as well. With an in-house department, this could mean hiring more staff, purchasing more equipment, and investing in more software. With an MSP, scaling up (or down) can be as simple as changing your service package. This flexibility can be especially valuable for businesses that experience seasonal fluctuations or experiencing a period of rapid growth.
By outsourcing your IT needs, you can focus more on your core business competencies—what you do best. IT is a critical part of your business but may not be an area you specialise or have expertise in. By leaving IT to the experts, your businesses can focus more of its resources on areas that directly generate revenue and drive growth.
Finally, MSPs typically offer proactive support. Instead of waiting for something to go wrong and then fixing it—a reactive approach—they constantly monitor your IT systems to identify and resolve potential issues before they cause problems. This can lead to less downtime, fewer IT emergencies, and a more stable and reliable IT infrastructure.
While some larger businesses will continue, for now, to maintain an in-house IT department, the benefits of outsourcing to a managed IT service provider are becoming too great to ignore. As technology continues to advance and business landscapes evolve, this trend towards managed IT services is likely to continue.
In conclusion, the shift towards Managed IT Services from in-house IT departments is driven by several factors that include cost-effectiveness, access to specialised expertise, scalability, allowing a focus on core business operations, and proactive IT support. While each business has unique needs and circumstances that may determine their choice, the increasing trend towards Managed IT Services suggests their advantages are significantly compelling for businesses across the various industry sectors. If you would like to know more about the benefits of Managed IT Services for your business, why not get in touch with the experts. IT.ie have been supporting businesses across the full spectrum of industry sectors since 2004. In 2023 IT.ie were finalist for Managed IT Service provider of the year at both the CIO & IT Leaders and Tech Excellence awards. Call us now on 1800 365 365 or email hello@it.ie and talk to the IT experts.
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