Deciding whether to handle IT support for your small business in-house or outsource to an external IT team is a difficult decision for any growing business.

From proactively handling cybersecurity issues to managing your VoIP systems, making the right choice for your business IT solutions can be the difference between smooth operations and difficulty keeping up as your business needs change.

We look at the key differences in outsourced IT support vs in-house IT to help you make the correct choice for your business.

What is Outsourced IT Support?

Outsourced IT support is where an independent company handles all, or part of, your IT infrastructure as an external specialist. These managed IT services can include anything from threat detection and monitoring to supporting you in upgrading your IT infrastructure or migrating to the cloud.

What is an In-House IT Team?

In-house IT teams handle all of your IT requirements as salaried employees, working exclusively for your company. Depending on the size of your organisation and the specific requirements for your IT infrastructure, in-house IT at a small business could be one person or several people.

Outsourced IT vs In-House IT

Cost

When looking at IT cost comparison, the primary cost of in-house IT services is the salary of the employee that manages your IT systems. Additional costs may apply for extra training. In contrast, outsourced IT is a consistent monthly fee.

Expertise & Skillset

An in-house IT professional will usually need to be a ‘jack-of-all-trades’, handling every aspect of your IT solo. This includes anything from troubleshooting and problem-solving to system upgrades and cybersecurity measures. Outsourced IT companies provide you with access to multiple specialised professionals to seamlessly handle your IT.

Scalability

One of the most significant IT outsourcing benefits is easy scalability. Instead of going through a hiring process for a new IT team member, required to scale up in-house IT, you can simply increase your support as and when needed to ensure continuity of service.

Availability & Support

Managed IT services are often available around-the-clock, including automated monitoring systems that alert the team of any problems for fast resolution. In-house IT is typically only available during normal working hours, unless you hire enough people to provide 24/7 support or require employees to be on-call to fix IT problems at short notice.

Pros and Cons

Outsourced IT Support Pros:

• Access to expert support: An external team typically has experts across all areas of IT, from cloud migration to management of specific hardware and software
• Advanced protection: Managed IT services usually include advanced cybersecurity protection, including firewalls and 24/7 threat detection, to help keep your business safe
• Support for systems: If you want to upgrade your systems, introduce a new cloud telephony solution or source suitable software, an outsourced IT team can provide the expert help you need
• Proactive management: Active monitoring and around-the-clock support means that problems can be resolved proactively, instead of waiting for them to be discovered later on

Outsourced IT Support Cons:

• No physical presence: While engineers will visit your site to resolve issues, IT support is generally remote, with tickets submitted through a helpdesk to get support
• Less direct oversight: Outsourcing services mean you have less direct management of your day-to-day IT operations, which may make you feel out of the loop
• Data security and compliance: When working with an outsourced IT team, it’s important you pick a service that complies with all necessary GDPR and industry-specific regulations to keep data safe

In-House IT Pros:

• Complete control: You get the full view of your IT services and are able to change focus as and when needed to suit your business plans
• Easy-to-access support: An in-house professional is directly available to their colleagues, reducing the admin required to report problems with IT systems
• Strong business understanding: In-house IT teams understand your organisational goals and what is most important, enabling them to prioritise effectively and know how to use obscure or custom-made systems

In-House IT Cons:

• Higher costs: The cost of a salary or multiple salaries for in-house IT can be significant, particularly in combination with training and other company benefits
• Skill gaps: A single IT professional will likely not have in-depth knowledge and may experience skill stagnation if they do not have the time for additional training
• Poor scalability: In-house IT is difficult to scale effectively in comparison to an outsourced contract, particularly where extensive training is required to bring new IT employees up to speed

Which Option is Right for Your Business?

Whether outsourced IT or an internal team is right for your business will depend on your priorities and business goals. For rapidly growing companies, being able to scale effectively makes a managed IT service the better choice. For small organisations that have highly specialised software requirements, an in-house professional may be a better fit.

The Hybrid Approach

Utilising both outsourced IT for a range of services, including cloud telephony and cybersecurity solutions, can be an ideal way to expand upon your in-house IT services without the need to hire new employees. The hybrid approach is a popular choice for many companies, providing the best of both worlds.

Conclusion

If you’re unsure whether outsourced or internal IT is the best fit for your business, looking at the pros and cons of both is an excellent starting point. At Flotek, we specialise in providing managed IT services to SMEs across the UK, with around-the-clock support to increase uptime and advanced cybersecurity protection to keep your company safe. If outsourced IT is the best choice for your business, we’re your ideal partner.

Read more:
Outsourced IT Support vs Internal Teams: A Complete Guide