Outsourcing IT support is becoming increasingly popular as IT becomes increasingly important.
With core business operations relying on technology, even the smallest hiccup can significantly impact revenue and brand reputation, potentially affecting a company’s future.
For small to medium businesses that don’t have the budget for a substantial internal IT team, outsourcing IT support to outsourcing companies can be a cost-efficient way to ensure everything runs smoothly.
But what does outsourcing IT support involve? What are the benefits of outsourced IT, and how can you be sure you’re working with the right provider? Here’s what you need to know.
What is Outsourced IT Support?
Outsourced IT support means that a company chooses to hire an IT company, such as Microbyte, based in London, to handle all (or some) of their IT instead of relying on an internal IT department. Some companies may retain a small internal team to liaise with the external Managed Services Provider (MSP) for support.
Outsourcing services can be entrusted to one company offering total IT support or several companies managing various elements. It means that parts of a business’s IT are assigned to a third party of experts who will make decisions and take actions to control, update and ensure everything functions correctly.
Our support packages offer a comprehensive approach to your IT systems to incorporate every aspect of support and planning.
Elements of Outsourced IT Support Services
Outsourcing your IT looks different for every company. How you use IT supports your operations, and your daily needs vary greatly. Just some of the elements a third-party IT outsourcing company may provide are:
- IT helpdesk support
- Software updates
- IT Roadmaps
- Cyber security
- Firewall management
- Access control
- Backups
- Cloud migration
- System monitoring
- Best practices and compliance
- Data security
- Service Desk
- Dedicated account manager
Some businesses outsource specific elements, while others work with Managed Service Providers (MSPs) for complete IT outsourcing.
Benefits of Outsourcing IT Support
There are lots of benefits of outsourcing IT support to a third-party provider. So, before you start hiring an internal IT team, here are some things to think about.
Cost Savings
In the long term, outsourcing your IT support can save your business a lot of money. Professionals can ensure your systems are working correctly and make your daily operations more efficient. Your business can increase profits and cut waste with fewer errors and less downtown.
In addition, as a third-party contractor, you don’t have the expense of hiring an IT department full-time only to have them sit around during low periods. As demand fluctuates, your IT support company can provide the level of support you need and won’t charge you for more.
Easy Planning
Working with a third-party IT support provider such as Microbyte, can make planning future budgets and projects much more manageable. Your MSP will be able to provide accurate information regarding cost and timeframes to help you execute plans effectively.
With plenty of experience in the industry, an MSP can let you know how much you should expect to spend on IT in the future and will be on hand as the company grows, so you don’t have to deal with any nasty surprises.
Professional Experts And Reliability
Outsourcing your IT to a third-party support provider such as Microbyte means gaining access to experts with a range of skills and training that may not be accessible to you hiring in-house. If you need a wide range of skills, using an external team can be more cost-effective and easier.
Furthermore, by working with a team of qualified experts, you can be sure they will work effectively and offer a range of professional support services. You can rely on these professionals more completely than an in-house team who may not be well-trained or have sufficient qualifications.
Unlimited Access and Business Continuity
Working with a provider such as Microbyte, which offers unlimited access to remote support, ensures that your business continuity is maintained at all times. Our team of experts can quickly implement new technology and deliver faster solutions to specific requirements.
Excellent Customer Service
At Microbyte, we pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service, with a dedicated account manager to ensure that your specific requirements are met.
Minimised Risk
Professional IT support companies can access the latest software, equipment, and best practice training. They can minimise the risk of data breaches, cyber-attacks, and other security issues. Overall, your business’s valuable information will be more protected than ever.
For companies that rely on IT as a part of their day-to-day operations to generate revenue, you can lower the risk of downtime and lost opportunities by ensuring everything runs smoothly.
How To Start Outsourcing Your IT?
If you’ve started to see the benefits of outsourcing your IT support services, you’ll want to get started straight away. You may be impatient to start improving your software, smoothing out problems, and saving money.
But before you jump in and make a bad investment, you need to be confident that the MSP is the right one for you. Identifying the best support team to fit your business can be challenging.
You need a fully Managed Service Provider, not just an IT support helpdesk. Learn how Microbyte is a leading provider of far more than just Outsourced IT Support Services
Here are a few things to think about and questions to ask to help you find the best MSP company for you.
How long has the company been in business?
Companies with decades of experience are more reliable and can offer better support. If the company only launched last month, they may not have the experience you need.
Do they specialise in one area?
Every business is unique, and different sectors require different levels of support. If you operate in a specific industry, you need an MSP that is comfortable providing tailored support.
What do you actually want? Do you need a completely Outsourced IT Department or just some overflow help?
Think about what you actually want and approach a company that can give you the support you need. MSPs can provide a whole range of services. But you may not need help for every aspect, or perhaps you want a single point of contact or the possibility of adding to the contract as the business grows.
Do they have flexible packages?
One size doesn’t fit all. You may want to work with a flexible MSP that can create a bespoke package just for you. This way, you only pay for the support you need and don’t miss out on vital support because it’s only part of a different package.
How much do they charge?
Let’s face it, in the end, you need to know how much you are willing to spend, what your ongoing budget is and what this will get you. The cost of outsourcing your IT will vary greatly depending on your required support.
Getting the right MSP for you is crucial for your business success. You need a team that can support you and helps take your business forward. Getting it wrong could be a disaster.
Case Studies
Do they have sufficient case studies to show you what they have achieved for other clients?
We foster partnerships built on trust, communication and integrity. This allows us to have honest conversations, where our motivation is what’s best for your business, and never a quick buck for us. Learn more about how we have achieved this for our clients.
Importantly, how much should Outsourced IT cost?
It shouldn’t be hard to work out how much outsourced IT costs. Yet, IT providers don’t always talk about the numbers as plainly as they could. The complicated jargon and befuddling number-crunching can be off-putting for companies considering an external support team.
At Microbyte, we understand that you can’t weigh up IT support (Learn More about our London office) options without a basic handle on the figures. Yes, there are lots of factors, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t at least know what ballpark you’re in.
One of the most common questions we receive from potential customers is the cost of our support services. Outsourcing your IT services is the first step to empowering your business, especially small businesses, to focus on its strengths and digital transformation.
Paying an expert does more than save money, time and hassle, it helps you scale quicker. And not only that, a team of experts can be cheaper than you think.
This article is an attempt to eradicate the mystery surrounding the price of IT support, especially remote support and unlimited remote support options. We will detail the many options available and crunch the numbers for you.
How much does Outsourced IT Support cost?
The average cost of outsourced IT support is £25-35 per month, per user.
Outsourcing IT Support
IT support, or an IT helpdesk, offers the basic aspects of an IT package. This is generally used as a solution for businesses that keep their IT in-house. IT support involves hiring trained staff who can solve issues as they arise. For SMEs with a small in-house IT team, outsourced IT support helps small issues with a high operational impact, get fixed in no time. You don’t want a staff member unable to work because they’re waiting their turn in the IT queue. Outsourced IT support means they’ll speak to an engineer straight away.
Here’s our breakdown of the cost of outsourced IT support:
- The average user will create one ticket per month
- That ticket will take about 20 minutes to complete
- A good engineer is billed at £65ph
- We need 20 minutes of that engineer’s time
- 20mins x £65ph = £22
- £22 + 10% management time + tools = £24.20
- Totalling around £25 per month, per user
Considering a more comprehensive solution for your IT needs? Ask yourself the following questions:
- Does your in-house IT team handle the ongoing care and development of your systems?
- Are your IT standards documented and reviewed on a regular basis?
- Are you comfortable your data is safe and backed up?
- Do you hire a team who manage the continuous improvement of your IT services?
- Do you have the knowledge and expertise needed to get issues rectified quickly?
- Is your organisation familiar with the latest IT technology improvements?
If you answered ‘no’ to any of the questions above, then a Managed Service Provider might be the best way for you to optimise your IT.
How much does an Outsourced Managed Service Provider cost?
An Outsourced Managed Service Provider costs £50-75 per month, per user on average.
A Managed IT Service is the complete management of your IT systems and sometimes telecoms to outsourced specialists. This service consists of far more than fixing computer problems. Unless you have a substantial in-house team, your business should be looking for a Managed Service Provider (MSP).
The support service offered by an MSP is more expensive for a good reason. Not only is there much more involved than IT support, but your MSP will also be much more involved with your business. They’ll be building a partnership with you to ensure your IT is always working for your business as it grows.
Here’s what you get from a full Managed Services offering:
- The cost of the helpdesk (broken down under IT support above) = £25 per month, per user
- Monitoring of updates, back-ups and security = £1 per month, per user
- Standards engineers (network administrators) who check operations and implement changes = £5 per month, per user
- An IT director who manages the client, their IT management, budget and future strategy. This can be quite an involved role and will depend on the activity and involvement of the client = £16 per month, per user
- Tools for smooth support services, including cyber protection = £10 per month, per user
So, for an extra £32 per month, per user, you have the total security and reassurance that your IT is taken care of – both now, and in the future.
Cost of Outsourced IT
IT support = £25-35 per month, per user
Managed services = £50-£75 per month, per user
There you have it. In numbers. We hope this has cleared up some of the most common questions surrounding IT services. It’s important to remember: time costs money, and good engineers are hard to come by. We must keep everything in perspective, too. When you can end up paying upwards of £50 per month, per user for software, you want experts to help you make the right decisions and invest wisely.
Ultimately, as with anything, you get what you pay for, so pay for the best you can afford. The right outsourced IT service provider will care about your business goals as much as you do.
Outsource Your IT Support
To get started outsourcing your IT support, you can get in touch with us here. We can discuss your business’s requirements to create a bespoke support package that suits you and your needs. When it comes to IT support, you need a company you can trust, and at Microbyte, we want you to trust us.
IT is one of your most significant assets so let us show you how valuable your IT can be when it’s in the hands of professionals.