Why should a small or midsize business outsource their IT support?

by Jon Lober | NOC Technology

Businesses often reach an inflection point when they recognize that they need IT support, but they aren’t sure what to do about it. Many small, growing businesses have never contracted in-house nor outsourced IT support before, but their expanding needs and staff demand a solution.   

Here are eight key reasons that many small businesses decide to outsource their IT support. 

 

1. Access to expertise. 

 

Why does your accounting department have separate positions for payroll, accounts receivable, and accounts payable? Because one person simply cannot do it all and do it well. In the same way, one person simply cannot address all of your IT needs, and do it well. 

 

If you want fluid, secure, and effective IT operation, you need access to a proficient, highly-qualified team. In order to do so, you can either hire an in-house team of cloud, VoIP, database, network, and cybersecurity experts – or contract out with a company that employees such a team. 

 

Of course, you could hire an unfortunate single IT-person. However, that would likely cost just as much  as an outsourced team, while providing a “jack of all trades, master of none” type of support for your employees and network.   

 

2. 24/7 Support. 

 

Unfortunately, IT problems don’t typically give you advance notice. They also seem to have a tendency to strike at the most inopportune moment – like when you’re wrapping up a proposal from home at 8PM on a Thursday night for a Friday morning meeting. Any comprehensive IT service provider should be able to take care of your most common issues regardless of where you are or when you’re working. 

 

In the same situation, a salaried “9 to 5” employee may be unavailable, sick, on vacation, or resentful for the late call – something that won’t happen with a team of professionals standing by. 

 

3. Proactive maintenance and security.

 

A dedicated IT support team will often know you have a problem before you know it yourself. That’s because they are behind the scenes monitoring your company’s tech vitals. 

 

Their job is to stay ahead of the curve. When they do their preventative maintenance work well, they: 

 

  • prevent untimely outages and updates, 
  • ensure that your key software stays up and running, 
  • enable secure access to your work from wherever you are, and 
  • monitor for suspicious activity. 

 

A solid IT support company will do all of this without you submitting a single request. 

 

4. A stable, predictable IT budget.  

 

A strategic IT partner will help you not only determine your current needs, but your projected needs over the coming years. By creating a custom solution for your business, they can create a single, stable monthly bill that includes all of your IT needs without fluctuation – help desk support, VoIP phone systems, key software, servers, and even hardware all on one invoice. 

 

By offering hardware-as-a-service (or HaaS), your IT provider can roll the pricing of any projected hardware purchases into your monthly bill – essentially leasing and maintaining the hardware you need for your business. They can also provide you with cloud or off-site server space, which means that you don’t need to worry about replacing expensive server components as they age. By consolidating all of these expenses into a single operational line item, you can avoid the hassle of constantly projecting capital expenses and depreciation. 

 

5. Improved cybersecurity. 

 

How much do you really know about good data security? Can you name anything beyond secure passwords, two-step verification, and maybe… firewalls (whatever those are)? 

 

Although cybercrime, ransomware, and phishing might still sound like science fiction to you and your employees, they are very real, and very expensive threats faced by businesses every day. A good IT support partner prioritize the software, employee training, and business processes that you need to make sure that you are not an easy target. 

 

6. Scalability

 

Hopefully your business is growing. As a result, you must make decisions about when to add employees and infrastructure to perpetuate that growth. 

 

By outsourcing your IT needs, you can remove one of those decisions from the pile. An IT support partner will remain aware of your business strategy and keep one step ahead of you by recommending software and solutions that can support the type of growth that you are projecting. When you add employees, your support team will take care of integrating them into your network and software systems – leaving you to focus on the job that they were hired to do. 

 

7. Flexibility 

 

By their very nature, outsourced IT providers are based off-site and are structured to provide remote support for their clients in the vast majority of situations. If some of your employees have joined the exodus away from a traditional five-day work week in the office, they will have the same level of IT support as someone in the physical office. An outsourced IT support partner should be able to equally assist hybrid, work-from-home, or office-based employees without prejudice. 

 

This not to say that you will never see your IT provider in-person. If you have chosen a local IT team, they will typically make office-visits for advanced setup, trouble-shooting, or meetings. 

 

8. Focus on Core Business 

 

IT is now an integral part of daily business. Technology can either facilitate your core focus, or detract from it. By outsourcing IT, you remove a distraction – and maybe even a department - from your management team. A good IT partner will do their work well – so that you can do yours even better. This translates into more time and resources for your core business. With no on-site IT team, that’s one less team to manage, one less budget to prepare, and even more open desks in the bullpen. 

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At NOC Technology, we've worked with Missouri sheltered workshops for over seven years, and I've witnessed firsthand how the right technological implementations can transform sheltered workshop environments. Today, I'd like to share some insights on leveraging modern technology to create safer workspaces while maintaining the dignity and privacy of all participants. The Unique Safety Challenges of Sheltered Workshops Sheltered workshops provide valuable employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, but they also present unique safety considerations. Workers may have varying levels of physical mobility, cognitive processing, and sensory perception—all of which can impact how they respond to traditional safety measures. Additionally, the production environments often involve machinery, tools, and materials that require careful monitoring and management. The Role of Smart Technology in Safety Advancements in smart technology provide real-time safety monitoring, immediate alerts for potential hazards, and improved emergency response times. Let’s explore some key technologies and their benefits in sheltered workshop environments. Personalized Alert Systems Traditional emergency alarms can be overwhelming for individuals with sensory sensitivities. Smart alert systems can deliver personalized notifications through: Vibrating wristbands that alert workers without auditory overload Visual notification systems with customizable colors and patterns Tablet-based communication for workers who benefit from visual cues Location-specific alerts that only notify those in affected areas We recently implemented a multi-modal alert system at a workshop in central Missouri that reduced anxiety-related incidents during emergency drills by 65% . Environmental Monitoring Maintaining optimal environmental conditions is crucial for both safety and productivity: Temperature and humidity sensors that automatically adjust HVAC systems Air quality monitors that detect potentially harmful particulates Noise level monitoring to prevent sensory overload Automated ventilation systems that activate when chemical levels exceed thresholds These systems not only protect workers but also provide documented compliance with OSHA regulations. Enhanced Supervision through Smart Cameras Security cameras have evolved beyond simple surveillance. Modern systems can: Detect unusual patterns that might indicate a worker in distress Monitor restricted areas without constant staff presence Identify when machinery is being used incorrectly Alert supervisors to potential safety hazards Important note: All camera systems should be implemented with strict privacy protocols and transparent policies. Workers and guardians should be fully informed about what is being monitored and why. In many cases, audio cannot be recorded, and the camera system must be configured to meet this requirement. Wearable Safety Technology Wearable devices offer personalized safety monitoring without stigmatization: Fall detection pendants that automatically alert staff Location tracking that helps locate workers in emergency situations Biometric monitoring for workers with health conditions Proximity sensors that prevent accidental entry into hazardous areas These wearables can be designed to look like standard ID badges or watches, preserving dignity while enhancing safety. Implementation Best Practices Successfully integrating smart technology into sheltered workshops requires careful planning: Involve all stakeholders: Workers, guardians, and staff should participate in selecting and implementing new technologies. Prioritize simplicity: Choose solutions that require minimal training and maintenance. Phase in gradually: Introduce new technologies in stages to allow everyone time to adapt. Balance automation with human oversight: Technology should supplement, not replace, trained staff. Respect privacy: Collect only essential data and maintain strong security protocols.
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