Managed services or outsourcing. Which is best for you and your company?
You may be asking yourself what is the difference? Aren’t these two synonymous? Which one do I need to go with for my company? We are going to take a look at the breakdown of these questions to help you get a better understanding of what the two words mean and how it fits in with your business.
Outsourcing your IT
The term ‘outsourcing’ has unfortunately become an umbrella term for pretty much anything you can give to a third party. However, at its most basic definition, outsourcing your IT refers to the purchase of the expertise of a third-party company without having the service provider manage the services. When you outsource your IT you are receiving services from a third party without having the service provider manage the services. The services
Managed Services for your IT
Managed service is essentially a form of outsourcing. Confused? Well, when you use a managed service provider, you are hiring someone to handle the services you do not want to or cannot handle. Having a managed service company will save you time and ultimately increase your productivity. They will be able to free up your time by making decisions about IT that you could use effectively elsewhere.
So, what does that all mean?
What it comes down to is what you desire for your company. Do you want to let someone with the knowledge of the IT world to take care of your IT needs or do you want to take care of most of it yourself? With managed services you are partnering with the company you choose to be an extension of your business and to help you move forward.
If you decide to go with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) or if you are unsure if it is the right move for your company due to lack of in house employ, there are some things to consider. When you look for an MSP make sure you look for one that will add value to your company. When choosing a company to go with, they should be an extension of your company, one that partners with you to further your success.
Before meeting with a company to manage your IT services, it would be very helpful to make a clear list of what is important to you in a company. Check out our blog on questions to ask a potential MSP.