As your business continues to expand, the complexity of your IT systems also increases. This pivotal moment highlights the importance of deciding between managed IT support and internal IT support. Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) struggle with the challenge of selecting either an internal IT support team or a managed services provider (MSP) as each comes with its advantages and disadvantages. Whichever option you choose should align with your long-term objectives – not only addressing current issues but also proactively managing your IT services for future growth.
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In this article, we will delve into the considerations between IT managed support and internal IT support, providing a comprehensive comparison to assist you in making informed decisions for enhancing your SME's IT capabilities.
Understanding Managed IT Support
If you’re looking to strategically pivot towards efficiency and innovation without the overhead costs of maintaining an internal IT support team, then managed IT services are the best choice.
MSPs provide a depth of expertise that can be challenging for an internal IT support team to replicate – especially for SMEs with limited budgets. With a team of specialists across various domains like cloud computing, cyber security, project management, and IT support, MSPs ensure that your IT is maintained and optimised for performance and security.
What services do managed IT support providers offer?
While some MSPs provide a comprehensive suite of managed IT support services like the one mentioned above, some carve out niches with specialised expertise. For instance, dark web monitoring is crucial for discovering compromised employee credentials and reducing your risk. MSPs specialising in this area often bring technical awareness and tailor strategies that can strengthen your cyber defences.
What to expect with IT managed support?
When working with MSPs, expect to sign a Service Level Agreement (SLA). This document clarifies the scope of services, performance metrics, accountability measures, and specific expectations and roles of everyone involved.
Exploring internal IT support teams
Unlike MSPs, where they might juggle clients with differing requirements, internal IT support teams tailor solutions specifically to an organisation’s objectives and culture. Are you looking for a dedicated team that understands the ins and outs of your operational dynamics and infrastructure? An internal IT support team is for you. Because they focus solely on your IT, they can resolve technical issues swiftly and prevent disruptions that could hinder productivity.
The best thing about internal IT support
One of the best things about internal IT support is that your IT strategy is within your grasp. You can facilitate quick decision-making and foster innovation because team members are more integrated into the company culture and goals. In a way, you’re hiring a team and gaining operational transparency.
Why do SMEs typically go for MSPs instead of managing their IT support internally?
SMEs often operate on a limited budget, which makes the idea of an internal IT support team daunting. Many opt for MSPs instead as they leverage various expertise that can handle their technical needs. Corporations usually go for internal IT teams. Some even hire MSPs to create a hybrid IT support model to get the best of both options.
Managed IT Support vs Internal IT Support
Many often overlook the critical aspects of IT managed support vs internal IT support. It’s significant to analyse how each structure aligns with your long-term strategic goals and creates resilience against emerging IT challenges.
Cost
Outsourcing your IT through managed services offers expertise that internal teams might not be able to provide, especially on a limited budget. So, instead of incurring high costs for recruiting and retaining specialised IT personnel, you can leverage the resources MSPs offer with a flat fee or per-user pricing to align your spending with actual needs.
Internal IT support can become a financial burden for SMEs, with expenses ranging from salaries and benefits to training and equipment. And that still doesn’t include all the licenses, subscriptions, devices, and maintenance to keep your IT running. These costs can add quickly, diverting crucial resources away from your growth initiatives. But, the thing with internal IT support is the control it gives organisations over their infrastructure – ensuring that you can tailor systems and processes to align with your goals.
Scalability & Flexibility
IT managed support services offer flexible and scalable solutions that allow businesses to respond to evolving needs by hiring or firing internal personnel. In a time where IT demands are unpredictable, outsourcing to an MSP can help you integrate new services or discontinue others to align your IT more with your strategic goals and budget.
However, one downside is you will give up (some) control over critical aspects of your IT infrastructure. Sometimes, this can lead some to feel disconnected from their IT strategy and objectives, as priorities set by MSPs don’t always align with internal visions.
Internal IT teams can incorporate themselves into an organisation’s culture. Aside from developing a deep understanding of your organisational dynamic and objectives, they can also immerse themselves in the daily rhythms and nuances of the workplace. This approach enables them to provide tailored IT support that addresses technical issues and fosters effective team collaboration.
When looking at IT managed support vs internal IT support regarding scalability and flexibility, both have their pros and cons. Managed IT support services offer scalability and specialised expertise without the burden of extensive training or infrastructure expenses. Whereas, internal teams can create seamless communication paths and rapid change responses. But, this option can become costly and prone to potential skill gaps.
Expertise & Resources
Hiring an MSP to do your IT can significantly increase your organisation’s tech capabilities whether you have an internal team or not. You can access cutting-edge expertise across various domains – from cyber security to cloud computing solutions – that may not exist or would be expensive to manage internally.
You can still hire these experts internally, but you would have to pay more towards salaries, benefits, ongoing training, equipment, and licenses. This issue is where IT managed support comes. They will offer access to a broader pool of expertise without the burden of recruitment and retention expenses.
When evaluating managed IT support vs internal IT support, always look into how each would rise to the unique IT challenges in your organisation. If you have extensive IT requirements – like robust cyber security measures or cloud management, it’s best to consider managed IT support in Perth. But, internal IT might be the best choice if you require a straightforward system with minimal maintenance.
Security & Compliance
For managed services, IT support gets handled daily, while internal IT focuses on innovating and aligning solutions closely with business goals. With hybrid IT setups, your MSP will handle routine troubleshooting and maintenance. The in-house team can concentrate on initiatives like system overhauls and infrastructure upgrades that require internal understanding and perspective.
With internal IT support teams, you have unparalleled control over your infrastructure. They can align closely with your strategic goals and culture, cultivating strong policy compliance and enhancing responsiveness to emerging cybersecurity-related challenges. In-house have a deep understanding of your IT stack and unique operational setups, making crafting cybersecurity solutions immediate and effective.
When choosing between managed IT support vs internal IT support regarding security and compliance, always weigh their operational needs and potential risks. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about the cost but about aligning your IT capabilities with your business operations and goals to ensure resilience through these risky times.
Managed IT Support vs Internal IT Support: Which is Ideal for SMEs?
Both managed and internal IT support have their merits and faults. While managed IT support for Perth businesses can bring a wealth of services and expertise to the table, internal IT possesses unparalleled familiarity that allows for more tailored interventions for problem-solving. On top of that, you’ll also need to consider your:
- budget
- unique requirements
- IT service and support needs
- and integration strategy
There’s no right or wrong answer to this question because this decision largely depends on specific organisational needs and growth trajectory. For startups and SMEs, partnering with an MSP might be the best choice for accomplishing IT requirements and acquiring specialised knowledge without breaking the bank. On the other hand, if you can afford to hire a team that fosters deeper into your company culture, internal IT is your best bet.
Some organisations have these two setups to manage their IT. They do it to bring flexibility and leverage the efficiency of managed IT support services while nurturing homegrown talent for those complex challenges ahead.
Partner with Office Solutions IT to handle your IT needs.
Choosing between managed IT support and internal IT can be overwhelming, but at Office Solutions IT, we bridge the gap with in-house level commitment without the hefty price tag. We are committed to making your IT as if it were our own so you can receive tailored solutions that align with your unique goals.
With comprehensive support from our seasoned and trained experts, we can empower you to focus on driving growth for your organisation rather than getting bogged down by IT challenges.
Contact us today by filling out the form below, and we’ll start planning your success in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between MSP and internal IT?
Internal IT provides small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with greater control over their IT services, along with a deeper understanding of the company and on-site support. With an internal IT team, you also have dedicated IT staff who are beneficial if you want a team that thoroughly understands your business operations and can quickly address technical issues.
Managed Service Providers (MSPs), on the other hand, offer scalable and round-the-clock support to SMEs. Typically, you would be assigned a team of certified IT specialists with expertise in areas such as IT support, cloud services, cybersecurity, and more—all for a fixed monthly fee. This approach allows SMEs to adapt easily to different IT resources as they grow, without the need to invest in internal staff training and development.
What is internal IT?
An internal IT team works exclusively for your SME. They are integrated into your company culture, part of the payroll, and involved in the day-to-day operations that keep your SME's digital systems running smoothly.
Organisations often prefer hiring internal IT teams instead of outsourcing IT support because they usually have a deeper understanding of the organisation’s unique needs, workflows, and security requirements. They also provide quicker technical support when necessary, and collaboration with other internal departments is more seamless. This is particularly beneficial for organisations that want better control over their IT systems and wish to develop customised IT infrastructures tailored to their evolving requirements.
What is a managed IT service?
Managed IT services, typically offered by Managed Service Providers (MSPs), are a type of outsourced IT function that focuses on proactive technology management and support. This service usually includes 24/7 support such as help desk assistance, monitoring, maintenance, and consulting. MSPs also provide services like cyber security, cloud computing, and network management—all aimed at helping SMEs scale their IT resources as their businesses grow, without the need to hire and train new staff internally.
Why use managed IT services?
Managed IT services enable SMEs to boost efficiency by automating core processes, continuously monitoring systems, and identifying issues before they disrupt operations. This approach helps maintain high system availability, reinforces cybersecurity, and reduces downtime. By optimising costs and providing access to advanced expertise and resources, managed IT services empower SMEs to strengthen their security posture and focus on driving business growth.
