5 Ways SMBs Handle Their I.T.
What exactly does I.T. mean to you? Not just what the I and T stand for, but what the term information technology means to your business.
For some, it could mean taking care of common computer, printer, or WiFi issues. For others it’s managing their entire network of devices, preventing and detecting vulnerabilities, backups, communication solutions, and developing proactive plans for scalability.
Not to mention a combination of anything in between. Whatever the case may be for your business, it’s no question that I.T. should be a top priority and handled properly.
There are many ways companies handle their I.T. needs. Let’s take a look at five ways below.
The Importance of I.T.
Before you can determine the best solution for your business, you need to understand the role I.T. plays in your organization. Take a moment to figure out your I.T. needs.
Are you simply looking for maintenance and security patching or do you have more complex needs?
What about technology upgrades, how often are you going to be on the hunt for new hardware?
Hint: Outdated tech is classified as four years and older.
Is your industry heavily regulated with complex compliance requirements?
These are just some questions to ask yourself to help you determine what you will need from your I.T. provider. But don’t stop there – the more you know about what you are looking for will help you when making your final decision.
The 5 Ways
1. No One Handles Our I.T.
Yikes! No one handling your I.T. is very risky and could be detrimental to your business. What happens when problems arise? Unless you are a cybersecurity specialist and know everything about your infrastructure, hardware, and software you could find yourself in some real trouble.
Pros
…If you can think of any for this option, I’m all ears.
Cons
Risky
Costly (Paying for an attack or any damages will end up costing you a ton more than if you had taken steps to protect your business in the first place.)
Takes longer to resolve issues.
Lack of knowledge and expertise.
2. Break/Fix Model - Outsource For Help When Problems Arise
In the past, this method was very common due to less equipment used and less cyberattacks on SMBs. When something would break, you would call a provider to get it fixed and then you would get billed.
Pros
No commitment
No monthly fee (However, you pay for each fix, visit, etc. which could be more than a monthly fee.)
Cons
Budgeting is different every month.
Technicians are unfamiliar with your systems.
Issues can arise and go unnoticed for quite some time, which ends up being more expensive.
Increased downtime. Depending on how long it takes for a tech to service your systems, which could be minutes or even days.
3. In-House I.T. Professional
Another option many SMBs consider is to hire one person to handle the entire company’s I.T. needs or even have another staff member take on this role along with the job they were hired to do. Sounds stressful for that one person if you ask me.
Pros
On-site availability.
Knowledge of your company’s systems and infrastructure.
Cons
Overwhelming for the one person to handle everyone’s problems plus their main job responsibilities.
Slower response times. Remember you have one person solving issues compared to X number of employees who need help.
Hiring someone in-house requires you to cover their expenses for hiring, on-boarding, and training. Then what happens when your one-person handling I.T. goes on vacation or is home sick?
4. In-House I.T. Department
Similar to an in-house professional, an in-house I.T. department just has more hands on deck. Whether you employ 2 or 10 staff members to fill your internal I.T. department they should have a wide range of knowledge and skills to be able to handle any problem that comes their way.
Pros
On-site availability.
Knowledge of systems and unique needs of your organization.
Guaranteed to work with the same people who are there everyday and are fully aware of how you use your I.T. services.
More control over your own data.
Cons
Higher personnel cost.
Staff will need to be jack of all trades otherwise they could be lacking in certain areas that leave your network open to vulnerabilities.
As they get more familiar with your I.T. needs, they become less versed in industry trends and best practices.
5. Managed Service Provider (MSP)
Another option when considering how to handle your I.T. needs is to partner with an MSP or managed service provider. Regardless if you have an in-house professional or team of professionals, an MSP is a great supplement. How? Consider the many skills needed to fulfill all your I.T. needs. Especially in today’s job market, it can be hard to find the staff needed to cover all areas of expertise.
Pros
Budgeting is easy with a flat-rate monthly fee. Don’t have to pay for healthcare benefits or other on-boarding expenses.
Stability and familiarity - Techs know you and your systems.
Easier to scale.
Upgraded hardware every few years.
Lower risk of downtime.
Wide range of skills, knowledge, and expertise.
MSPs are a great supplement to in-house I.T. staff.
24/7 Monitoring with preventative maintenance.
Cons
Monthly fee for service, even if there are no issues.
1-3 year commitment.
Less control over your I.T.
Conclusion
However your SMB decides to handle their I.T. issues will depend on your unique business goals and needs. However, an MSP is a great asset to any of the above options. When utilizing both in-house I.T. and a managed service provider, an MSP can help fill in the gaps where needed. Especially with keeping pace on upgraded hardware as this can be costly to undergo on your own.
Fortunately, with an MSP, like Omega Computer Services, you can get hardware refreshes every three years included in your flat-rate monthly fee. This is a cost-effective way to stay current with the rapid pace of technological advancements.
