If you’re like most business owners, you probably wear a lot of hats. You’re responsible for marketing, sales, product development, customer service, and IT support. And as if that’s not enough, you also must manage your budget and keep track of your company’s growth. So, when is the right time to hire an external IT company? Here are seven signs that it might be time to outsource your IT needs:
You don’t have an in-house IT team
The simplest of all reasons why you would need to hire an IT company for ongoing support is that you may not have any internal resources to do the job. You might not have the budget for a full-time internal IT resource or just not feel there is enough need. Whatever the reason, you cannot run your business without a go-to, whenever there is an IT issue. Your productivity will be lacking, and your profits will as well if you are always dealing with an IT issue.
Your IT team is overwhelmed
If your internal IT team is overwhelmed, it may be time to hire some external support. This doesn’t mean you have to outsource your whole department. It just means your resources may be lacking in the skills or time to get the job done most efficiently. There is nothing wrong with augmenting your staff with external support. It can be beneficial in several ways including the fact that your IT team will gain a diverse set of skills it may not already possess.
You’re not happy with your current IT provider
If you are not happy with your current, IT provider it may be time to start looking around for a new one. Just like anything else, IT outsourcing companies and managed service providers alike can get complacent with clients. It’s not that they don’t care about you as a client, it may just mean that they need a little push. Letting your current company know you are not satisfied may push them to devote more time to your account and realize how valuable you truly are as a client.
You’re growing rapidly and need more support than you can provide internally
It’s a great problem to have. It happens with many departments of a business. Your business is getting so busy that your internal teams cannot keep up. This is the point where you must look at the numbers. Should you hire additional employees, or should you augment your staff with the help of an external IT company? Many IT companies have a formula that they use to determine if they are a good option for you during your growing pains. After all the business spikes may be seasonal and you don’t want to be stuck with an extra employee if it slows back down.
You’re planning to launch a new product or service
If you’re planning to launch a new product or service, you need to make sure your IT infrastructure can handle the increased demand. This is especially true if you’re launching a new online service. You need to ensure that your website can handle the traffic and that your database can scale accordingly. Otherwise, you risk losing customers due to outages or slow response times.
If you’re considering an IT upgrade, it’s important to weigh the costs and benefits. Sometimes it’s cheaper and easier to outsource your IT needs rather than to invest in new hardware and software. Other times, it makes more sense to keep everything in-house. It all depends on your specific circumstances. But if you’re not sure which way to go, an external IT company can help you make the right decision for your business.
You’re moving to a new office
If you’re moving to a new office, chances are your IT infrastructure will need an upgrade as well. A new office means more employees, which means more computers, more printers, and more network devices. Plus, you’ll need to update your software and licenses for the new office location. All of this can be overwhelming for an internal IT team. But an external IT company can help you plan and execute a smooth move to your new office.
You want to focus on your core business
The IT department is a necessary evil for most businesses. It’s not that you don’t appreciate the importance of IT, but it’s not your core business. You’re in the business of making money, and IT just happens to be a necessary part of that equation. If you outsource your IT needs to an external company, you can focus on what you do best and leave the IT to the experts.
Outsourcing your IT needs can save you time and money in the long run. But it’s important to choose the right IT company for your business. Look for a company with experience in your industry, a good reputation, and a track record of success. Also, make sure they offer 24/ Seven support so you can rest assured knowing help is always just a phone call away.
Do any of these seven signs sound familiar? If so, it may be time to start looking for an external IT company to support your business. With the right IT partner, you can focus on what you do best and leave the IT to the experts. Contact Ardent today to start the conversation about outsourcing your IT!
