If your job requires you to be in proximity of the IT department in your company, you understand the daily challenges and frustrations.
The digital and technology needs of organizations are changing rapidly. Goals as diverse as customer satisfaction and data security all fall under the umbrella of IT services, and your team may be stretched – not only regarding personnel, but with budget and expertise. Every day, there is something new to address, from the latest cyber threat to the newest mobile device capability. You know you need the help of a managed IT company, but how do you best communicate that message?
If you have determined that outsourcing to a managed services firm is your best option, it may be necessary to communicate that need to your management team or board of directors. Because these decisions are often purely financial – and because these levels of the company often do not see the daily struggle – it is important to be as strategic as possible with your request. Here are some tips to make the most of your pitch to management regarding the need for outsourcing.
Benefits of Outsourcing to a Managed IT Company
- Safeguarding Company Data from Cyber Criminals: The data is staggering. Over 60% of businesses have reported being the victim of a cyber attack, and threats such as malware, ransomware and data mining are only increasing in frequency and danger. Unless you have a full time cyber professional on staff, it is nearly impossible to keep up with the newly emerging threats, and to protect your organization. From software patches to the latest in firewalls and anti-virus software, a managed services firm is committed to staying cutting edge, and keeping you as safe as possible – 24 x 7.
- Protecting You from Lawsuits: If client data is exposed and stolen, many companies never recover, overwhelmed by the loss of business and eventual lawsuits. Limiting this possibility, and reacting in a professional and strategic way should something occur, is your best way to fight back.
- Managing Your Budget: Although the Board may see outsourcing to a managed IT company as a budget buster, in reality it can actually reduce operating costs. You can reduce personnel overhead while guaranteeing that you have the very best professionals on the job; but you can also manage the need for technology upgrades and growth. While company who manages IT in-house may need to continually upgrade and add servers and communications capability to stay competitive, those who outsource can take advantage of economies of scale afforded by managed services firms.
- Impress and Attract Customers: These days, it is all about customer experience. Clients no longer want to wait for information, and if they feel that your online process is cumbersome, they will move on to a competitor. A managed IT company can consult with you to provide the latest and greatest customer experience tools, eliminating the need for you to do the research and implementation yourself. AS customers learn of your technology prowess, you will retain and gain clientele more easily, which has a long term affect on positive cash flow and keeps you competitive in your industry.
- Stay Focused on the Business at Hand: Unless you are an IT firm, your business does not revolve around technology and computing. However, because your business relies on these capabilities, your team may spend an inordinate amount of their time trying to keep up – and projects are continually placed by the wayside. By outsourcing the IT component, you free up your team to do what they do best – grow your business and get things done.
When speaking with management regarding outsourcing, it is important to have the facts and figures to back up your request. Call Alliance IT today, and we will come out to do a technology assessment, as well as to help you to formulate a plan as to how we can help to bring your company to the next level. Don’t go it alone – let us help.
