In-House IT VS. Outsourced Support
Businesses today are quite reliant on having a solid technology based infrastructure. Modern software and hardware developments have led to some extremely powerful tools for companies to use, like mobile communication or virtualization of devices. Of course even with all this advancement, problems do occur which is where IT teams usually come in. Even IT is subject to modern techniques however, with the question coming down to whether it’s better to have an on-site staff or use a third party service.
There are positives and drawbacks to both, and deciding on what’s best for a business, especially in the demanding environment of auto-dealers, comes down to what suits the company.
With physical IT staff, they’ll have a more intimate understanding of the business, people, and location. While their primary obligations are related to IT issues, having contextual information about how the business runs can help them with solutions when addressing problems. Management will also get to know them personally, which can lead to more direct understanding of current and future IT related goals. You also gain potential loyalty with staff, something that can’t always be found with outsourcing.
But, on-site staff are limited by this same physicality. Weekends, vacation days, or just out sick, if veteran staff happen to be gone when IT problems occur the problems can be crippling. Additionally, not all IT staff will have direct expertise. Depending on the team, they may have general solutions if they handle all aspects of the technological front, which doesn’t help if a certain issue keeps recurring.
On the other hand, third party IT support is able to circumvent many of the limitations related to physical staff. Most quality services have a series of beneficial services, from 24/7 feedback, experience, and having varied experts to handle specific problems. Because they often work with multiple companies facing many unique issues, they’re able to tackle errors in a more creative, direct manner. Some will even offer roadmaps for a business’s tech infrastructure, able to make suggestions based on the latest in hardware. This can ultimately make an auto-dealer company more efficient, provided they have the financial resources.
However, third parties have their own slew of elements to be wary of. For instance, some may try to lock a company in a dedicated contract, which is never good. It’s also easy to become overly reliant on their services, also keeping a business locked down. Costs with them should also be predictable, generally based on use versus a flat fee, but it’s not always the case. No matter the intent, outsourcing IT should always be used to cut on costs and increase efficiency, so if this result isn’t occurring, it’s a bad deal all around. When outsourcing, it is important to have clear and open lines of communication between you and your third party to make sure everyone is on the same page.
Deciding on the best path will again, come down to the needs of the dealer. Since vendors are reliant on data and consumer records, it’s imperative they have a stable system. Valuable, responsive IT teams are the best solution here, regardless of it being outsourced or on-site. If you’re looking for more information about IT options, Stratosphere Networks can help. Our experienced IT professionals can help determine which types of services are most beneficial to you. Call us today at (877)599-3999 or fill out our contact form.