5 Things To Consider When Outsourcing IT Services

There are many valuable and notable advantages that come with utilizing an external agencies’ IT services. Not only could you maximize every moment of your working day as they will take on key responsibilities (such as ensuring that the networks are up and running 24/7), but they will help to protect your business from potential cybersecurity attacks and take some of the pressure off of your existing staff.

With so many agencies to choose from (Wood Dragon IT, for example [not an endorsement!]), the decision might seem like an easy one. But there are several things that you must consider when you’re opting to outsource your IT. To get you started, here are 5 that you should keep in mind:

1. Their Experience and Expertise

When looking into external managed IT services, you need to consider what their experience is and where their expertise lies. As you’re bringing them into your business, you need to ensure that they are trustworthy and have the experience that they initially promised – which is why it’s worth reading testimonials from past businesses they’ve worked with.

No matter what industry your business is in, you need to guarantee that it’s continuously operating to the highest possible standard. But if you opt for an unreliable and uncredible managed IT service, then your reputation is on the line. 

2. How Efficient They Are At Communication

When working with an external agency, you need to make sure that they are available to tackle any issues no matter what the time of day. However, if they are located in another country, you might discover that getting into communication with them is difficult because of the time difference.

Pay attention to where the team is based and how effective they will be if any incident occurs within your business. Otherwise, your business could be at risk of breaches, poor quality work or unnecessarily long lead times. 

3. Governance

When you opt to work with external organizations, you need to guarantee that there is a clear and efficient governance structure which you both follow. Within this structure, there must be a definitive framework of leadership and compliance requirements which are designed to ensure that all of the support that they offer sits within your business’ objectives. 

By following this framework and taking into account the business’ KPIs (Key Performance Indicators), there will be a higher degree of coordination. 

4. A Difference in Culture and Language Barriers

If you’re outsourcing your IT services abroad, this is an issue that you’ll undoubtedly face. If they don’t speak fluent English, you’ll find it increasingly difficult to communicate with them effectively. There could also be certain significant cultural barriers that create a gap between your employees and the agency.  

5. The Effect on Employee Morale

By considering to outsource IT services, you’ll need to take into account what effect it can have on employee morale. Chances are, the moment that IT employees within your business discover the news, it will make them feel undervalued and that their skills aren’t enough. 

Which is why it’s so vital that you explain the reasoning behind this decision (i.e. its to free up their time) and keep them informed throughout the process.

This is a contributed post.