Outsourced Business IT Services are an Affordable Option for SMBs

Summary: This article explores how SMBs can maximize their IT support without an in-house IT staff by using outsourced business IT services. An IT outsourcing company can provide comprehensive IT support to SMBs for less than the cost of in-house employees.

Small business owners juggle many responsibilities. Beyond driving the core functions of their companies, SMB owners must direct and oversee many business operations. With the newly expanded remote work model, they are now faced with many IT-related considerations. As most businesses rely upon their IT and cannot afford to staff and equip an in-house IT staff, many have found employing an IT outsourcing company to be a very cost-effective way to ensure that their computer systems are operating securely and efficiently at all times.

The Cost to Outsource IT

IT managers are in short supply and command big salaries and benefits. They also need vacations and sick days. A service provider has additional employees available if your assigned technician is unavailable. The service provider also handles updated tech training, benefits and management. Managed IT services pricing is not as much as you think and is customizable and scalable to your company's size and needs. A basic package is typically under $100 per employee per month. If you downsize, your IT costs will go down, too. However, managed IT support pricing also depends on what kind of support model is best for your business. Depending on the complexity of the IT services you need, you can decide what service model is appropriate, or create your own model:

• Managed IT – An all-inclusive managed IT support model is perfect for an SMB that wants all IT services covered by an outside IT entity, including proactive monitoring, cyber security, maintenance and updates. Managed IT support services provide expert repair, installation, purchasing, consultation, strategy and 24/7/365 emergency service. Managed IT services pricing varies depending on the support functions required for your small business.
• Co-Managed IT – Co-management is best for businesses that have some internal IT capabilities but require additional support and resources for a growing company. Less expensive than managed IT, co-managed IT support shares responsibility with in-house staff. Also called white-label managed IT services, this third-party acts as your employee and expands the services provided by your in-house team. These outsourced services can be for special IT projects or for daily services such as help desk. This coordination of efforts makes co-managed IT flexible and efficient for SMBs without bearing the cost of a full-time IT department or hiring and managing additional employees. Co-management enhances IT functionality and cost-effectiveness.
• Break-Fix – For some small businesses with minimal IT needs, a break-fix support model might appear to be best because it is a pay-as-you-go formula. But be forewarned: this model is risky because it creates gaps in network security. It might also result in wasted money on incompatible or duplicated products. Service providers are exposed to a wide range of IT products and issues. A Managed service provider can suggest IT solutions that you may not have considered.

Outsourced Business IT Services Are Customizable

Based on the services you need, managed IT support pricing starts at less than $100 per computer “seat” per month. Before deciding which provider you wish to use and how much you will spend, it is vital to define your company’s IT needs. The cost to outsource IT may be broken down as follows:

• Basic Support – Basic IT support generally covers routine maintenance, a help desk and some network support. Industry-wide, the average costs range from $70 to $150 per month per user.
• Complete Managed IT Support – Although it costs more, managed IT support includes proactive network monitoring, data backup, updates, installations and basic cyber security. The complete managed IT model is ideal for small businesses that need frequent service but do not have full-time in-house IT management. Complete support is the essential for high-compliance companies that require additional layers of cyber security, proactive monitoring and maintenance.
• Project-Based IT – At times, SMBs might find the need to outsource specific IT projects, including infrastructure upgrades, system integrations or changes to email exchanges and more. Depending on the scope of a project, the costs can run into many thousands of dollars. However, outsourced IT for SMBs is still more affordable than hiring and managing in-house employees to perform the same work.

Some of the many valuable services provided by professional managed IT support include:

• Computer and network support
• Cyber security and malware evaluation
• Device connectivity
• On-call 24/7/365 live local support
• Tech consultations
• Proactive maintenance
• Repairs and updates
• Purchasing advice
• Performance monitoring
• Help desk
• Assistance with tech budget planning
• Prioritized response
• Help with defining IT goals and strategies

Selecting an IT Outsourcing Company

SMBs must always weigh costs vs. benefits for any expenditures. But there are many factors to consider when exploring managed IT provider options:

• Affordable Pricing – Does the cost of the managed IT support model justify the expense? Does your IT support company candidate have a price plan that fits your budget?
• Experience and Reputation of the Provider – Your computer system manages one of your company’s most valuable resources - your data. We recommend carefully researching any potential IT outsourcing company. If possible, connect with other businesses that have used its services. Ideally, you should have an idea of what services you might require before making any decisions. Is your business simple or complex? Those factors will impact managed IT support pricing, so it is best to be prepared with an understanding of what your company might need.

Conclusion

Managed IT support services can provide comprehensive up-to-date IT support. The cost to outsource IT can vary depending on many factors, including the size and complexity of your company, your in-house resources and budgetary restrictions. Review our list of questions to ask about outsourced IT as part of your due-diligence. Trying to manage IT on your own may result in dangerous gaps in network security that increase the likelihood of a cyberattack. One attack may cost far more than outsourced business IT services.