5 Tell-Tale Signs Your SMB Is In Dire Need of Outsourced IT Services

Despite how dependent modern businesses are on technology, many continue to treat it as an afterthought. Internal IT departments are often understaffed, with ever-increasing tech needs and cybersecurity threats often stretching them to the breaking point.

As Don George, founder of Envision Consulting explains, SMBs are often going to get much better results when using outsourced IT services, rather than attempting to manage everything in-house. Identifying signs that such support is needed can make all the difference for your operations.

1. IT staff is bogged down with day-to-day problems

“One issue we often see with in-house teams is that they’re constantly playing catch-up,” George says. “They’re spread thin focusing on reactive problems that come up on a day to day basis. Even if they’re able to take care of all of these issues, they aren’t left with any time to develop a proactive IT strategy that can help their company better use technology.”

Usually, this stems from one of two issues: either the internal IT department is understaffed, or the existing team doesn’t have a broad enough range of experience. With outsourced IT, on the other hand, SMBs can access the services of a larger team with a wider range of expertise.

2. You need to hire more IT staff, but you can’t

The average IT worker supports 27 other employees, though depending on a company’s tech needs, it may require a closer ratio than that. However, SMBs that are crunched for cash often find themselves unable to hire additional IT support due to budget constraints.

“Outsourced IT is often far more cost-effective than hiring additional full-time staff,” George explains. “With outsourced IT, you’re generally paying a monthly rate that is scaled to the level of service you need. This is generally going to be much less than paying out the salary and benefits of a single additional hire. Outsourcing can be a great way to save money while still improving your operations as a whole.”

3. Cybersecurity is a major risk

No discussion of SMBs’ IT needs can go without mentioning cybersecurity. It is estimated that 43% of cyberattacks target SMBs, with the cost of such attacks ranging from $826 to over $653,000. Notably, it is estimated that 75% of SMBs would be unable to operate if they were subjected to a successful ransomware attack. Globally, the cost of damages resulting from cybercrime is expected to hit an astounding $10.5 trillion by 2025.

“As an SMB, it’s tempting to think that you’re too small to be a target, but this unfortunately isn’t the case,” George says. “Malicious individuals want your data, and that of your customers. SMBs with an understaffed IT group or no IT budget at all often struggle to keep up with the newest threats or provide basic training to their staff. Outsourced IT professionals are constantly focused on this, taking every step necessary to protect your business’s data and operations.”

4. You’re lagging behind on the latest tech and compliance standards

“In many industries, staying compliant with current tech standards can be surprisingly complex,” George notes. “There are many areas that have strict rules and regulations for how data is processed and protected — and if you fail to operate in full compliance, you could face costly penalties. Worse yet, such issues could damage your reputation with your customers, making it harder to attract and retain clients.”

In a similar vein, SMBs often struggle to stay up to date on new technology trends and how they could impact their business operations. After all, if your IT staff is struggling to keep their heads above water, they’re not going to have time to dig deeper into new tools that could streamline your business’s work.

Specialized IT support services help ensure full compliance with industry standards, while also giving your team an advantage in learning about and adopting new tech.

5. You’re expanding your tech use

SMBs don’t need to be facing a gloom and doom scenario to benefit from outsourced IT. Quite often, a business’s success and growth will trigger the need for additional help.

“As your business grows, it’s only natural that your technology needs would scale along with it,” George says. “This could be something as simple as needing more equipment for a growing staff, or implementing new software solutions to streamline other parts of your work. Regardless of the specifics, outsourced IT can help this entire process go smoothly so you get up to speed quickly. Best of all, IT support can also scale right along with you, so you always have the appropriate level of assistance for your needs.”

With proper support, new systems and software can be successfully integrated into an existing network, and each employee will have the support they need for using technology.

Achieving better outcomes with outsourced IT

SMBs are already used to outsourcing activities that fall outside their field of expertise, such as marketing. In the long run, a quality IT setup could be even more important to the business’s lasting stability and growth, helping your team focus on other essential tasks for running and growing the company.

By strategically implementing outsourced IT, your team can be better equipped to maximize its use of technology to achieve desired results. Instead of being a weakness, this can become a powerful competitive advantage for your company.