5 Factors to Consider When Outsourcing IT Support Services

Businesses across the globe are becoming increasingly reliant on technology to run their operations. Consequently, there is a growing need for quick, effective IT support. You can opt to hire and run an in-house IT team or outsource managed IT services.

Outsourcing IT security and services allows you to focus on your core competencies without a worry about data management or IT infrastructure. However, before you opt for tech support for small businesses, you may need to take into account several critical considerations.

To facilitate a smooth integration between your IT service provider and your organization, here are five factors to keep in mind.

1. Expertise of the Outsourced Company

One of the benefits of outsourcing IT managed services is access to a talented pool of experts. You may need to verify the experience and skill of the outsourced firm. The team should consist of certified professionals with the right skill set to manage your IT equipment. Choose a firm that regularly trains their staff to keep them up-to-date with the latest technology advancements.

2. Regulatory Compliance

The outsourced IT firm will often function as a close extension of your organization’s IT department. It means that they may handle critical business and client data through storage and data management. You may need to ensure that the IT service provider has accreditation certificates for handling any network security concerns and information management systems. The right data security management for businesses should offer full redundancy and IT disaster recovery services for their clientele.

3. Governance in the Outsourced IT Partner

Most companies that prefer to outsource IT services complain that the suppliers lack in-depth knowledge of their business. You may need to factor in the transfer of knowledge for your outsourced projects. As an extension of your IT department, you need to ensure the outsourced firm matches your organization’s values and work ethics. The IT firm ought to have a transparent and efficient governance structure as well as detailed service level agreements.

4. Staff Morale

Most companies experience a dip in employee motivation within their IT departments after outsourcing their services. Your staff may feel like the strangers on the other side can perform their work better, affecting their confidence. However, it may lead to a breakdown in communication. It’s necessary for you as a CTO to communicate the logic to your in-house staff on the need for outsourcing IT. Talk of the short-term and long-term benefits that you will accrue as a business.

5. Availability of the IT Support Team

The availability and performance of your outsourced IT company may significantly affect the security of your data and assets. The firm you pick should have a 24/7 technical staff on board to address any network security threats or concerns that you may have. Any downtime can lead to massive productivity and revenue loss.

The company should have a clearly outlined policy on data recovery. Sadly, only 72% of IT service providers offered disaster recovery services by 2018. Read the service level agreement to understand the responsibility of the firm and your duties as a client during a data breach.

Outsourcing IT services can help you focus more on your organizational goals. You may need to keep in mind the five factors above while making your selection. For technology solutions for businesses, reach out to The AME Group.