Every business utilizing tech needs good tech support. Tech is becoming increasingly integral to modern business operations, and protecting those assets should be a high priority. However, what is the most effective support will vary from business to business. Every organization is different, with different goals, different growth, and will require different tech needs. When it comes to choosing your ideal IT support services, there are many factors to consider.
When selecting an IT service, there are largely three options: in-house technicians, third-party MSPs, or a hybrid of the two, co-managed. While all three provide similar services, there are different pros and cons for each.
In-house IT
An in-house IT team refers to an internal technician or team of technicians that provide IT support within a company, meaning they’re hired as an employee, are available on-site, and exclusively work for their employer.
Benefits of In-house IT include:
- On-site availability
- Intimate knowledge of a company’s tech needs
- Familiar with company team
- Training tailored to IT needs
- Complete control over IT operations
There are many benefits that come with an in-house team, however, sustaining a full IT team may be difficult for small to medium businesses, and other concerns such as scalability, retention, and recovery plans in the event of an untimely accident also require strategic planning before it’s too late.
3rd Party MSPs
Many companies will choose to outsource their IT services to MSPs, or managed service providers. MSPs support multiple customers at once, meaning they gain knowledge and experience from a plethora of sources. MSPs offer 24/7 remote support with on-site support when needed. While they’re not always in-person, an MSP’s widespread knowledge of industry tech and IT infrastructure, proactive cybersecurity, and overall cost make them very valuable to businesses trying to grow.
Benefits of MSPs include:
- Cost-efficiency
- Ability to easily scale your business
- 24/7 support and monitoring
- Acquiring an experienced team with varied knowledge from many industries
- Proactive protection and management
Many companies hire an MSP because of their cost-effectiveness and flexibility, but while some consider a limited physical presence as a benefit due to conservation of office space, others find the lack of control over their company’s IT to be frustrating.
The benefit of both with Co-Managed IT
Since there are different benefits to both in-house IT and third-party MSPs, many companies prefer a hybrid service, called co-managed IT. Co-managed combines the familiarity and accessibility of in-house teams with the flexibility and scalability of an MSP. In-house employees can remain focuses on being present for day-to-day IT maintenance and break-fix issues, while an MSP can be designated to take care of cybersecurity and larger scale IT infrastructure.
The presence of an MSP can also be reassuring in the event of an untimely accident that could prevent a member of your in-house team from working. The alternative is your company having no IT support for an undetermined amount of time, and any new parties trying to pick up the slack may be unfamiliar with your IT infrastructure, leading to unnecessary downtime.
If you and your business are happy with your in-house techs, there’s no reason to get rid of your team, however, you can boost the effectiveness of both your team and your company with the help of an MSP.
If you’re interested in enhancing your business with Managed IT or Co-Managed IT, talk to us today!