Managed Services vs. In-House IT Management

When it comes to IT services, there are typically two approaches to consider:

1) Hire a dedicated IT expert and/or set up an in-house IT department
2) Enlist managed IT services from an outside IT company

Based on your existing IT infrastructure, your business’s needs and the technical skill level of your current staff, there are pros and cons for both options.

Pros and Cons of Managed IT Services

Watch this short 2 minute video for a quick overview of what managed IT services are and how they can help your business.

Pros and Cons of Managed Services

PROS: Remote technology has made it possible for IT technicians to resolve problems from other locations. With managed services, when problems occur, you can count on an entire company of professionals who have experienced a wide variety of issues to quickly and efficiently resolve even the most difficult problems.

IT support can be provided on a 24/7 basis for a nominal monthly amount – which amounts to much cheaper than hiring one or more IT technicians in-house. But not only that, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your systems are continuously monitored and problems are dealt with – before they have any effect on your business.

CONS:  With no technician in-house, when on-site support is necessary, you might have to wait a few hours for a technician to arrive, which could hold up productivity. (However, this might also be the case with an in-house IT team who has other responsibilities to deal with!)

Some companies might perceive a loss of control with managed services, as it’s never easy trusting or relying on a third party. It’s always a good idea to review feedback from others before enlisting the services of an IT company.

Pros and Cons of In-House IT Management

PROS: In-house IT staff has traditionally been the preferred solution for larger organizations, as support is nearby; they can deal with emergencies when they arise and technicians are under your own direction.

CONS: On the flip-side, in-house IT employees are paid salaries in the upper levels of any companies’ pay scale. Rather than paying a small, fixed fee or resolving issues on an as-needed basis, you might be paying staff to sit idle if your systems are set up to generally manage themselves (which they should be if done correctly).

One common scenario might arise within smaller IT departments or a single IT technician, where that person or team doesn’t know how to resolve a specific problem and can’t find a solution. In this situation, a specialist would need to be brought in to resolve the issue at an additional expense.

So Which Option is Right for Your Business?

Many companies are moving toward managed IT services, but for companies who still want someone in-house, the best option might be a blend of both.

The Future of Managed IT Services

Trustwave recently surveyed IT professionals around the world and 65% of respondents said they were pressured to purchase security technologies with the latest features, while 35% of respondents said they didn’t have the proper resources to effectively utilize all those features.

3 out of 4 teams surveyed stated they are responsible for maintaining their security solutions in-house, but 85% said they will use or look to use managed security services in the future to relieve the burden of IT security pressures.

With more data to secure than ever before and data security regulations becoming more stringent, this blended approach makes sense for many companies. There are now more channels for attack from web, email, mobile and social media, and threats have become more hostile, long surpassing the security basics of anti-virus and firewalls. IT teams need to have the skill to manage the latest security systems and they need enough time to give security the attention it deserves.

As a result, companies are outsourcing the entire security function of their IT including archiving, data storage and mobile device management. This blended approach allows companies managing IT in-house to free up time for their staff so they can focus on IT projects that enable the business to generate revenue.

If you’re considering integrating managed IT services into your Milwaukee area business, call us today at (262) 522-8560 or contact us online for immediate answers to all your questions. Ontech Systems can serve as your dedicated IT company or we can work in tandem with your in-house IT staff.

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