Technology impacts your business in several significant ways. Reliable IT resources foster innovation, which in turn, paves the way for success.
A strong tech network can benefit your company by:
- Improving communication
- Strengthening cybersecurity
- Accelerating growth
- Increasing engagement
- Enhancing professional insight
Since your company’s IT infrastructure is an intricate web of hardware, software, and virtual platforms, it is bound to run into trouble once in a while. Fortunately, a competent IT support team can minimize tech glitches and prevent them from jeopardizing uptime.
While some companies choose to hire, train, and manage an internal team of tech specialists to maintain their IT network, others partner with an outsourced IT services provider.
Below, we’ve discussed the basics of outsourced IT services in Denver, their benefits, and how you can choose the right IT company in Denver for your business.
What Are Outsourced IT Services?
An outsourced IT services provider is a third-party technology company that caters to your IT needs in exchange for a flat fee. A team of certified technicians uses its resources and expertise to keep your IT network running smoothly.
This includes resolving everyday tech issues, developing robust cybersecurity plans, and backing up business intelligence, among other things.
According to Statista, the global expenditure on IT services is expected to surpass $1.1 trillion, which reflects the industry’s rising popularity among businesses worldwide.
Which IT Services Can You Outsource?
Any task relevant to your IT infrastructure can be outsourced, including:
- IT planning and budgeting
- IT consultation
- Round-the-clock end-user support
- On-site and remote support
- Cyber threat prevention and remediation
- System upgrades
- Help desk services
- Cloud computing
- IT project management
- Network management
- Reactive support services
- Proactive preventative maintenance
- Web filtering
When Should You Outsource IT?
You should hire an outsourced IT services provider when you face any or all of the following issues:
- Your IT department is overburdened and needs additional help to manage operations
- You want to dissolve your internal IT department
- Your IT department is unable to produce the results you want
- You need better services at reduced costs
If you’re wondering how your Denver company can benefit from outsourced IT services, read on for some answers.
How Outsourced IT Services in Denver Help Your Business Gain a Competitive Edge
Denver has always been accommodating of entrepreneurs. Besides affordable commercial real estate and low corporate income taxes, the city harbors a thriving startup ecosystem. Also, statistics from Crunchbase suggest that in 2019, nearly $931 million worth of venture capital was invested in Denver-based small businesses.
Hence, many aspiring entrepreneurs flock to Denver to set their business dreams in motion. However, amid the increasing competition, you need to have a solid business strategy in place to stay ahead of the curve. Having said that, a well-functioning IT infrastructure can boost your productivity and help you build your brand with ease.
Maintaining an IT network requires significant means and manpower. This is why most small and mid-sized companies opt for outsourced IT services.
Here are a few ways in which external IT support can streamline your business operations.
1. They Help Free up Your In-House Technicians
You may have hired in-house IT technicians to formulate effective business strategies and solutions. However, if they are constantly engaged in putting out technical fires, they won’t be able to focus on their actual job.
With an outsourced IT services provider taking care of routine system issues, your internal IT specialists can focus on executing their original responsibilities. This can lead to improved business performance and increased output.
2. They Deliver Consistent Results
Companies providing outsourced IT services in Denver strive to build a robust market reputation. They realize that even one misstep can severely tarnish their credibility.
For these reasons, it is in an IT company’s best interest to deliver impressive results for your business. Therefore, you can rest assured that your IT environment will be managed well.
3. They Provide Flexible Services
Your internal IT team will likely consist of a handful of technicians. In the event of multiple technical crises, they will be assigned to the most urgent emergency, leaving other affected employees waiting.
However, an outsourced IT services company can quickly allocate several specialists to address all problems simultaneously. This reduces overall downtime and allows employees to get back to work as quickly as possible.
4. They Have Trained Technicians for Different IT Jobs
Different technicians specialize in different aspects of IT. So, it is unlikely that a cybersecurity analyst will be able to help you with troubleshooting accounting software. However, most small businesses cannot afford to hire experts from each of these domains.
Consider this – the average base pay of a cybersecurity analyst in Denver is about $70,933. When you combine this figure with healthcare and benefits, the expenses rise to a hefty amount. This alone is a tall order for startups, who may not be able to afford a second IT expert.
An outsourced IT services company usually employs seasoned employees trained in various IT disciplines. As a result, you get access to more technicians at a flat fee rate.
5. They Offer the Latest Technologies
As a small business owner, you may not have enough financial resources to continually invest in the latest technologies. Also, you may not be aware of the latest technological advancements in the market, unless you are a technician yourself. This where an IT support company can help you out.
A quality outsourced IT services provider will be able to provide you with the latest technological innovations in hardware, software, and cloud computing. These can help you leverage your limited capital in more effective ways and drive your business further.
6. They Help Keep Your Budget in Check
Apart from charging a predictable amount, outsourced IT services in Denver allow you to choose the service levels, you require for your business. In other words, you only pay for what you use.
Additionally, outsourcing eliminates the need for an internal IT team, which can reduce labor costs. You can invest this capital in enhancing and streamlining your business’s core offerings.
7. They Reduce Security Risks
A study conducted by Cybercrime Magazine suggests that cybercrime will cost the global economy $6 trillion in 2021, almost double the $3 trillion mark reached in 2015. Cybercrime represents the most potent transfer of wealth in history and is reported to be more profitable than the trade of illegal substances worldwide.
Some of the most common cybersecurity threats faced by businesses are:
- Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks
- Man-in-the-middle (MitM) Attacks
- Malware
- Phishing Attacks
- Ransomware
- SQL Injection Attacks
- Password Attacks
Considering the wide range of cyberattacks that can strike your business at any time, you need to have a reliable cybersecurity plan in place. This is best left to the professionals.
A reliable IT company will constantly monitor your network to ensure that it is protected against security breaches. They will also take active countermeasures to combat network breaches before they cause irreparable damage.
Common Misconceptions about Outsourced IT Services
Although the practice of engaging external tech support is popular among new business owners, many still worry about outsourcing. We’ve debunked some of the most common myths surrounding outsourced IT services.
1. Only large enterprises require outsourced IT services
Businesses of all sizes can benefit from outsourcing their IT tasks to an external service provider. Since IT management involves several different aspects, we recommend that you hire professional help, regardless of the size of your company.
2. Hiring a third-party IT support team is expensive
Teaming up with a managed IT services provider can be a cost-effective alternative to setting up an internal IT team. Moreover, most MSPs provide services that suit your budget. They also recommend specific products and services, based on your industry and specific requirements.
3. Outsourcing can compromise network security
The reality is quite the opposite. Here are a few services that outsourced IT services providers offer to secure your technology from all sides:
- 24/7 network monitoring
- Immediate threat response and remediation
- Strategic consultations
- Timely software and hardware updates
- Data backup and disaster recovery
- Security compliance
- Correct program implementation
These tasks may overwhelm your internal IT team and move their focus away from their core responsibilities. Also, it can increase the margin of error and lead to missed details. On the other hand, outsourcing your cybersecurity needs to an external company can help strengthen your network security and minimize breaches without overburdening your in-house IT team.
4. Every MSP is the same
While most outsourced IT companies offer similar services, they differ in service quality. As a rule of thumb, you should always associate with reputed outsourced IT services providers. Moreover, they should have enough experience in dealing with businesses in your industry.
You need to ensure that you choose an IT support provider who you can trust with your sensitive records, customer data, financial documents, and other confidential information.
Before making a decision, be sure to look at customer reviews to gauge the provider’s reputation. You can also schedule a free consultation with them to establish their credibility.
5. Outsourced tech support means slower response times
A lot of business owners believe that the response time of outsourced IT services is slow, mainly because the providers are located outside the business’s premises.
However, when you outsource your IT to an external company, you have more IT engineers at your service. Further, they have the means to access your systems remotely and securely, and promptly resolve the issue. This leads to multiple tech problems being resolved at once, effectively reducing downtime.
6. Outsourcing translates into a loss of control
This is a common concern among business owners. Many shy away from hiring external tech support, fearing that they will lose control over their systems and data.
The truth is, even when you partner with a third-party IT company, you still call the shots. You retain the same amount of control on the external team as you would on your in-house IT department.
Consequently, feel free to communicate your expectations, feedback, and timelines to your outsourced IT services provider. Additionally, set checkpoints for their progress and keep an eye on the results.
Conclusion
Technology is ever-evolving. Small businesses need to adapt their operations and processes to the changing technological world to stay relevant. In this regard, outsourced IT support can help business owners develop a solid IT strategy without burning a hole in their pockets. Managed IT services strike an effective balance between quality services and cost savings, making them the perfect choice for new entrepreneurs.
Are you thinking about partnering with a company providing outsourced IT services? Call us today to find out everything you need to know.
