Any business run in this modern world needs IT support. With such technological advances, modern businesses have made IT an essential component. Technology is not only for tech companies anymore but for everyone. So here comes the question: should you opt for in-house or outsourced IT support? It depends on the type of company you run and how advanced the technology you use is. Basic software may not need constant revision, but newer versions might. That said, let’s look at the advantages of each type of support.

Advantages of In-House IT support

1) They’re always available

An in-house team will respond quickly should any technical issues arise. They’re already familiar with the software and hardware, and they’re one extension call away. Say you run a real estate business. Real estate operators need to work in real-time, so the company needs portals loaded with clients and property information. Imagine someone hacks into the system, or a corrupted file damages others. You want to solve the problem as fast as possible, meaning you should opt for in-house support.

2) You have more control

Your support team can be trained to respond exactly to your company’s needs. On the contrary, outsourced support teams may come up with more generic solutions before they adjust to your situation. Maybe your business is responsible for creating and maintaining a popular app that runs on a specific code. You can train your support team to understand the code and its loopholes. Should any setback arise, they’ll be the first to notice why and take action.

3) They fit the company culture

Since they’re employees in the company, they were interviewed and hired according to values and goals that fit the company’s culture. That means discussions and tensions are less likely to arise when everyone’s on the same page. Following the previous example, you don’t want your IT support team to judge the app and rebel but to evaluate and improve it.

Advantages of Outsourced IT support

1) They’re cost-effective

Since your company will only resort to them if a problem arises, you won’t pay full-time wages even when everything’s okay. You might consider this type of support if you’re a small business that doesn’t rely much on technology. For example a Leeds based business may only prefer support from an IT services Leeds based company. Think of a local store. Although you may have data about purchases, replenishment needs, and more, you don’t need constant support. Maybe your system fails three or four times a year. Why would you pay for an internal support team?

2) Broader range of expertise

Outsourced companies will employ qualified and specialized professionals. We mentioned you can train your support team to respond to your specific needs. But what if you run a small business, like in the previous example? Then there’s no need to make the extra effort to employ an in-house team, train them, and pay them all year round when they’ll only work sporadically. Instead, find external companies that offer expertise in your field.

3) You focus on other aspects of your company

When you take such a weight off the shoulders of your tech employees, they can focus on improving other aspects of the company. For example, they might enhance UX or the website design. Also, you can use the money you save to invest in marketing or strategies that will boost your revenue: SEO, pay-per-click, paid ads, and more. As you can see, there’s no correct answer to in-house vs. outsourced IT support! It depends on several factors: your company niche, how advanced and delicate the technology you use is, your budget, your expectations, and more. Weigh your needs and choose the option that best suits you!