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IT outsourcing is common in large corporations, but small businesses can really benefit from working with professionals to bridge the gap between their business needs and the available technology. Here we explore reasons to consider IT outsourcing, what types are available, and how to go about doing it for your business. This guide is designed to get you thinking about potential benefits and help you decide if using technology consulting services is right for you. Why should I consider IT outsourcing? Utilizing a third party consulting to handle your technology is a great way to cut costs and conserve resources. Small businesses should focus in their area of expertise, on their products and customers. If you spent valuable time and energy focused on technology needs and issues, that's time that isn't being spent growing your business. Furthermore, consultants and firms will have access to the latest products, software and services and will be able to make recommendations based on your needs to improve the way you do business as you go. It would be like having an expert on staff, but not having to pay the large salary that comes with their title. Implementing and maintaining IT systems is a task best left to the professionals. Are there any potential drawbacks? Like with any paid service, it's important that you are partnered with the right company for the job. Because technology is such an important part of how we conduct business, be sure the consultant you work with is reputable and able to fit managing your needs into their current workload. If your system has issues or goes down for example, it's important to know that they will be able to work on the problem immediately and not jeopardize your daily operations or customer service. What types of technology management are typically outsourced? Consultants will vary in the types of services they offer, but most small businesses utilize proactive technology management, which includes things like spam and malware management and managed data back up. Other common services include network administration management and general technical support services. Most reputable firms will include packages of a combination of services, and will be able to work directly with you to create a package that meets your business needs. Sounds great! So how do I do it? The first step in any IT outsourcing plan is to make your business case internally and determine your available budget. Many consultants are even able to help with this process, as they recognize areas in which you will save money in your current operations once you switch to a managed solution. From there, do your research to reach out to reputable firms and begin the conversation on if their solution is right for you. There are my pros and few cons to using a third party consulting firm to manage the technology needs in your business. Most small businesses find the decision not only saves them money, but also helps to keep them on the cutting edge and competitive in the marketplace. Consider if IT outsourcing is right for you, and if so, begin building your business case to reap the benefits. Looking into IT outsourcing for your Austin business? Turn to Notonsite! Learn more at http://www.notonsite.com/small-business-it.
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