What is outsourced IT support?
IT support is the backbone of modern business and the rise of outsourced IT support is helping businesses manage IT cost effectively. From matters as simple as resetting passwords to transforming the entire infrastructure of a business, IT support plays a crucial role in maintaining the operations and security of a business. Although many businesses recognize the importance of IT support, they are unable to afford full-time IT support staff for their business.
The average IT support staff salary is $55,220 and experienced IT support staff can command rates as high as $100,000 per year. Having a team of in-house IT support staff to meet business needs is very cost ineffective for most businesses. Leveraging outsourced IT support is a great alternative to get the benefits of having an IT support team without the overhead.
What is outsourced IT support?
Outsourced IT support is the process of outsourcing your business’ IT needs to an IT provider. This is typically a managed service provider and they handle all of your IT operations on a monthly contract. With outsourced IT support, you can delegate your business’ IT needs and leverage the staff and experience of an IT provider. Examples of outsourced IT support services include network security, cybersecurity, compliance, help desk services and more.
Benefits of outsourced IT support
There are numerous advantages of leveraging outsourced IT support instead of having an in-house IT team. Some of the best benefits of using outsourced IT support include:
Cost savings: One of the most compelling reasons to use outsourced IT support is cost savings. IT staff are very expensive to recruit, hire and retain and many businesses cannot afford to do so. Having a small IT team alone can cost businesses hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. Outsourced IT support services provides a better cost-effective alternative by working with businesses on a contract monthly basis.
Instead of paying the salary of multiple IT staff, you can set up an arranged agreement with your managed services provider and pay for your specific needs. This will allow you to outsource your IT in an affordable manner for your business and you can focus on the other revenue-generating aspects of your business. Switching to outsourced IT support generally saves businesses significant money.
Skilled IT staff: The most important factor of having a competent IT support team is the staff. The experience and skill level of your IT staff will reflect on the quality of IT support you get. Managed service providers who offer outsourced IT support typically have very skilled IT staff who are knowledgeable on all of the IT needs your business has.
With outsourced IT support, you can have this skilled IT personnel at your disposal 24/7. This ensures that your business will have all of the IT support it needs to run its operations smoothly and efficiently. This is also very cost effective for your business because having these professionals on staff would cost your business hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.
Flexibility: Outsource IT support is extremely flexible for your business. Since outsourced IT support services are done on a contract basis, you can choose to scale your IT support up or down based on your current needs. This is a better alternative to just having IT personnel on staff and paying for their salaries regardless of your IT needs.
Your outsourced IT provider has the resources and staff to help you meet any project demands easily. If you have a big project and require IT on-site, your provider can do that. If you want to reduce your IT spending, your provider can also do that. With outsourced IT support, IT is tailored around your business’s needs and you can choose to scale up or down based on your needs.
What services does outsourced IT support cover?
General IT support: Your outsourced IT support provider will cover all of your general IT support needs. This includes network support, device support, help desk support and more. These services cover your basic IT needs and ensure your business will run smoothly without any downtime in your devices and networks.
Cybersecurity services: Your outsourced IT provider will also handle all of your cybersecurity operations. This includes securing your endpoints, application security, protecting your network, securing your email, installing firewalls, etc. The comprehensive cybersecurity services offered will ensure your business is protected from threats 24/7.
IT consulting: Your outsourced IT partner is also your main point of contact for anything related to IT in your business. They can help you plan for any major decisions that involve new applications and infrastructure. Additionally, they can help advise you on growth strategies and let you know what technologies you need to scale your business to the next level.
Cost of outsourced IT support
The cost of outsourced IT support will depend on the types of services your business needs in addition to the size of your business. Managed service providers typically charge a flat rate per user or with a general monthly contract.
Per user billing: Many managed service providers charge per user. This is referring to the headcount of your business. For example if you have 10 employees, your provider may charge you a flat rate each month per employee you have. The typical rates for per user contracts are generally between $100-$200.
It’s important to go over what your provider covers for each user. Many providers who charge less will offer fewer services. It’s typically best to go with the most comprehensive package per user to adequately protect your business.
Monthly billing: The other billing model that other providers use is a flat monthly rate. This is straightforward: the provider will list a variety of services they will offer your business and they will quote you a monthly rate. The monthly rate can vary greatly depending on the size of your business. You can expect anywhere from $2,000-$15,000 per month depending on the size of your business. Smaller businesses will typically be in the low thousands and mid to large-sized businesses will be on the higher end of that range.