Can your business benefit from outsourcing IT issues?

IT is a major component of the functioning of every business. Hardware and software is not a “set and  forget” effort – IT issues crop up and are usually ongoing. Most businesses need to make some arrangements for taking care of their IT-related problems, and there is a choice to be made between managing technology maintenance in-house or outsourcing it.

Benefits to outsourcing

Few businesses have the funds to hire an entire department full of technology experts, and no single expert knows everything about every topic. For this reason, there is almost always a degree of outsourcing involved in the running of IT operations. Businesses can benefit from specialist skills on an as-needed basis without having to commit to employing a person full-time.

Outsourcing can also result in cost savings, as many IT workers can perform their jobs in cheaper locations. It is common for technical, repetitive IT issues to be dealt with from countries where the labor costs are very low. These outsourced support centers are a very affordable way for businesses to ensure that their IT operations run smoothly without paying very much.

What to watch out for when you outsource

Plenty of pitfalls can trip up outsourcing efforts. First, make sure that the people to whom you are outsourcing really do have the skills that they say they have. Many areas of expertise in IT do not have certification authorities, so you have to rely on past performance to make a judgement. Always ensure that any work that is done is thoroughly documented so that the next person who helps you has strong knowledge of how your systems work when he or she starts out.

Security is also a challenge when outsourcing. It is best if someone in your business has central responsibility for issuing credentials and keeps record of which contractors have access to which systems. Make sure that your outsourcing partners abide by good security practices and draft a written agreement covering how your data and other IT assets will be protected.

Getting the best out of outsourcing

Outsourcing is, in part, about simplification, so you should try and keep the paperwork concerning contractors as straightforward as possible. Employing contractors who are registered with an umbrella company is an excellent idea, as it saves your business the hassle of dealing with individual taxes and other potential issues involved with hiring independent workers. Always maintain a good relationship with your contractors, and remember that they can easily move on to other work, leaving you in the lurch to seek help elsewhere.

Tips for IT health

Keeping your technology systems in tip-top shape should not be left to contractors alone. Create a security-conscious culture in your business where every staff member is aware of the latest risks, such as phishing attacks. Regularly review your existing systems to make sure that they are fit for purpose, upgrading when and where necessary. In between upgrades, any software patches should always be applied promptly. Keeping IT issues to a minimum is always a joint effort between a business and its contractors – it is not possible to completely outsource every aspect of IT management.

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