Running a small or medium-sized business often means making crucial decisions on resource allocation. In today’s digital age, the question of whether to hire an in-house IT employee or opt for hiring IT services has become more pressing than ever.
As technology rapidly evolves, overlooking the essential aspects of IT support can lead to unexpected disruptions and potentially harm your business. Most small business owners opt to do this work themselves but require professional help when issues are beyond their capabilities.
Eventually, this leads to the consideration of how to save on frustration and downtime. The answer is a solution that not only prevents these problems but can rectify them quickly when they do happen.
Let’s take a closer look at scenarios you might not realize need your attention. We’ll also explore the factors to consider in the decision to enroll in IT services vs hiring an IT employee.
The Silent Threat: Software and Security Updates
Behind the scenes, software and security updates are the unsung heroes of business operations. Ignoring these crucial updates exposes your systems to vulnerabilities, potentially leading to data breaches, downtime, and compromised customer trust. Even when a problem isn’t inevitably obvious, missing simple updates can slow down your systems.
Managed IT services ensure that your systems are always up-to-date and fortified against cyber threats. Alternatively, this needs to be one of the primary responsibilities of an employee. You need to have someone who is familiar with all the software and operating systems you use. Regardless of the direction you decide to take, you want to safeguard your business’s sensitive information and reputation.
The Data Dilemma: Backups and Recovery
Imagine losing critical data due to hardware failure, accidental deletion, a cyberattack, or a building fire. Data loss can be catastrophic, causing irreversible damage to your business. Sadly, it most often happens when you least expect it which makes recovery hard.
Managed IT services include backup and recovery solutions, providing peace of mind. Without a proper disaster recovery plan, your data might be lost for good, whereas managed service providers can quickly get you back to where you left off and provide peace of mind.
One of the prevention measures is utilizing backup services and/or devices. An IT provider would implement this for you, but you’d otherwise rely on an employee to set up and implement it.
The Unseen Disruption: Network Monitoring and Maintenance
Network failures can strike unexpectedly, disrupting your operations and costing you time and money. If you don’t currently have network security measures in place, this can actually be a bigger issue than you may realize.
It’s best to leave this management in the hands of someone who has experience in monitoring and maintaining networks for businesses. Managed services offer proactive network monitoring and maintenance, ensuring your systems run smoothly and addressing potential issues before they escalate.
The Human Error Factor: Employee Training
Employees are your company’s first line of defence against cyber threats. Lack of proper training with policies to back them up can lead to unintentional security breaches.
Comprehensive IT services include an audit to identify holes that lead to breaches. Whether using a service or hiring an employee, training to enhance cybersecurity awareness and best practices is critical.
The After-Hours Abyss: 24/7 Support
IT issues don’t operate on a 9-to-5 schedule. Things can very easily go haywire while you sit down to dinner or get ready for bed. So it raises the question of what you should do when a critical problem arises outside of business hours.
With in-house IT, resolving issues could be delayed until they’re back in the office. Most managed IT services on the other hand offer 24/7 support, ensuring prompt solutions to issues. With companies like ourselves, we won’t require you to return to the office either which is a plus.
Comparing Costs: In-House IT vs Hiring Managed IT Services
Hiring an experienced in-house IT employee involves more than just a salary. Like with any other employee, you should consider recruitment costs, benefits, and training, among other things.
Based on publicly available data in August 2023, the average salary for “IT support” personnel in Ontario is around $55,000. While it’s your priority to consider your budget, it’s noteworthy to consider the potential calibre of candidates based on the salary you offer. That’s to say that this figure often immediately makes hiring an unrealistic option, but even for businesses that have the budget, additional expertise may be required to properly manage and train your IT team.
On the other hand, IT services offer a predictable monthly fee which could be less than half that salary cost. Even in an office with 20 workstations, it’s half that expense over 12 months. Rest assured, it would cover a range of services including proactive maintenance, cybersecurity, backup solutions, and around-the-clock support.
Choose Our IT Services for Your Eastern Ontario Business
The decision between hiring in-house or opting for hiring IT services depends on your business’s unique needs and budget. If you’re a business owner in Eastern Ontario and still aren’t sure what avenue to take, consider Sterling Grace Technologies’ IT Services.
We provide tailored solutions that ensure your technology runs seamlessly, safeguarding your operations, enhancing security, and allowing you to focus on what matters most – growing your business.
Don’t allow IT challenges to interrupt and disrupt your success. Contact us today to begin a conversation on how our services can elevate your business’s operations, security, and peace of mind.