Why IT outsourcing might be the smartest move your business makes this year

Is outsourcing your IT to an MSP worth it?

If there was a way to responsibly cut IT costs by 25% to 45% and boost operational efficiency by 65%, would you do it?

That’s exactly what happens when small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) turn to a quality managed service provider (MSP) for IT outsourcing, according to the latest global analysis in the “Managed Services Report” from Research & Markets. It should come as no surprise then, that Deloitte’s 2024 Global Outsourcing Survey found that 77% of businesses now outsource all or part of their IT—making it the most commonly outsourced business function.

 IT outsourcing is a popular choice with growing SMBs for a reason. If you’re considering moving your IT to an MSP, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the questions and details that come with making such an important transition. But if you want to get the most from your MSP contract, focus instead on what business objectives this relationship can drive for your company.

Sources:

Cyberseek Cybersecurity Talent Heat Map

Forrester Global Tech Market Forecast

Ten ways IT outsourcing can level the playing field for SMBs

It’s easy to believe your company could never match up with the IT resources of your bigger competitors. But here’s the good news: most business platforms these days are scalable and affordable, no matter what the size of your company. That means SMBs can use the same cybersecurity tools, productivity suites, and IT consulting that the Fortune 500 use.

Today, the only factor separating large-scale corporate IT from its smaller counterparts is the size and the talent of the IT bench running it. But MSPs can close that gap too, offering SMBs all the help desk, engineering, and cybersecurity governance experts the big players use, scaled fractionally to a smaller company’s budgets and needs. Competitively speaking, outsourced IT services are the great equalizer.

We’ve taken a deeper look into the business case for IT outsourcing for SMBs, as well as the checklist of what you’ll need before you begin the contract process in our latest free downloadable report “Outsourcing Your IT”. Download it here, and in the meantime, let’s discuss the unexpected ways an MSP can boost your operational maturity.

No. 1: Saving money without cutting corners

There are numerous ways that outsourced IT services can help you achieve significant savings in your IT budget. The first is the most obvious: cutting out the overhead of having your own staff. MSPs also get bulk discounts on software licenses due to their deep vendor relationships, and they pass that savings on to their clients. They can also help you avoid costly mistakes that come from unforeseen problems or duplicative/unused software licenses. Simply put, the extra eyes and hands that you have on your IT will help you stay on top of needed maintenance and make smart, proactive investments.

No. 2: Reducing compliance risk and opening up new potential markets

Most businesses have some sort of IT and cybersecurity compliance issue to deal with, whether it’s the protection of purchase data through regulations like GDPR or data-handling requirements for highly regulated industries like healthcare, manufacturing, or banking. MSPs help their clients set up proper IT monitoring, reporting, and industry best practices for cybersecurity. With the right help, you’ll not only meet regulatory requirements such as HIPAA or the California Consumer Privacy Act, you’ll become a safe vendor for new and prospective clients. Good cybersecurity hygiene[LH1]  ensures the best rates on cyber-risk insurance and helps you pass vendor reviews as well.

No. 3: Delivering a better user experience for customers and employees

Downtime and technology issues frustrate employees and customers alike. An IT MSP can ensure that your systems are continuously monitored, and staff is available for end-user issues and system escalations around the clock. No need to worry about what happens when your IT staff goes on vacation, or whether your in-house team on call can handle serious problems if they arise. Users can rest easy knowing that their questions will be answered, and problems will be addressed immediately.

No. 4: Scale with confidence

Whether you’re opening new branches, launching new services, or modernizing legacy systems, an IT helps you scale without the growing pains. You pay for what you need. So, when your needs increase, there are always resources available on quick notice. Chances are, your competition is scaling up too, preparing for new AI technologies and hardening defenses against new threats. An IT MSP helps you tap into that growth without overextending your internal resources.

No. 5: Access high-level cybersecurity experts without the overhead

Your company is bound by cybersecurity regulations according to your industry, not your size. Yet, there’s a critical shortage of cybersecurity talent in the United States that makes it harder for SMBs to keep up.  In fact, Gartner predicts that the lack of available cybersecurity personnel will be responsible for half of all cybersecurity incidents in 2025. Industry estimates show CISSP-certified, chief information security officers command annual salaries between 150,000 and 200,000 annually. Recruiting—and keeping—top talent isn’t always feasible for a smaller company. That’s where fractional services come in. With the help of a premium MSP, you can tap into executive-level expertise on demand whether you need help with compliance audits, writing custom cybersecurity plans, vendor risk management, or meeting with regulators.

Learn More: Outsourcing your IT Guide

No. 6: Future proof your business with a deep bench of experts.

Technology is developing so rapidly, IT degrees that used to last staff a lifetime are becoming obsolete within years. Constant, high-quality training is essential, creating real retention, recruitment, and education headaches for growing companies. But the right IT MSP will have the resources to continuously hire top candidates, and their close relationships to IT platform vendors ensures they’re always up to date with the right information, access, and skills.

No. 7: Stabilize your IT spend

When you’re running your own IT operation, it’s easy to get mired in large, unexpected expenses and reactive service patterns. It can be hard to have the time and space to think ahead. A premium MSP will fix that problem, because they will do your IT planning and budgeting for you. That means all your IT expenses can be distilled down to one convenient monthly bill that includes your software licenses as well as consulting time. This is a big improvement over handling your own IT strategy or relying on another local MSP that only comes when you have service problems. It’s one of the biggest reasons why companies that work with MSPs for their IT have lower expenses.

Are you looking for IT outsourcing that can move your business forward? Integris can help with a free assessment.

Integris has the experts you need for IT outsourcing with confidence. We’d love to discuss how our services can drive your business forward. For a limited time, we’re offering free cybersecurity assessment. We’ll analyze your security environment, help you understand your vulnerabilities, and offer you a free IT roadmap, too. Reserve your spot today. https://integrisit.com/lp/free-assessment-offer/