What is IT Outsourcing? Simply put, it’s when you get someone else to do your IT for you. As a few examples, this may include
- Managing your hardware ie desktops, networking (Internet connection not the act of exchanging business cards at various business events), and mobile devices
- Managing your software by tracking what has been installed, managing updates and troubleshooting when the computer gremlins come out to play
- Managing your software development this is where you want custom applications built for either your employees or customers. It ranges from a mobile app game to increase customer engagement or iPad app for your sales people to facilitate faster orders and more timely reports.
Why IT Outsourcing? Here are 4 Reasons.
1 Learning Short Cut NOT Curve Learning how to code complex applications requires you to attend expensive courses and acquire costly learning materials… and get into university… and get certification… and, well you get the picture. For you analogy lovers, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Needless to say the time needed to build the capabilities to build Rome certainly wasn’t developed in a day. As with any skill, proficiency in IT development takes time. IT professionals have already spent the time and resources to acquire that learning. That same time and money will be better spent by you either purchasing learning materials on how to improve the business or simply on improving the business. Why pursue marginal benefits when you could invest in significant growth for the business.
2 IT Staff Cost & Time SavingsHiring additional staff is not a decision taken on lightly by business owners. There are recruitment costs, training costs, OHSC compliance, wages and superannuation. One also needs to take into account the cost to business effectiveness when new staff members are being trained. These costs are also compounded by time and the complexity of the organisation. So if you are looking to improve your IT systems but do not have the time, technical know-how and organisational capacity to do so, IT Outsourcing should be considered as those costs and risks will be borne by the IT Outsourcing company.
3 Do I Look Fat using this IT? IT Outsourcing is about getting people outside of your business to come work on your business. That is exactly why you need them. Because they will have an objective approach to the problem and not be tied down existing organisational cultures and procedures. Because they will come in and they won’t be saying, ”Oh, but that’s the way we’ve ALWAYS been doing it.” Chances are, your IT Outsourcing provider will have considerable experience from their portfolio of clients. So, they will be able to advise you on what works and what doesn’t. More importantly, they will be asking you, “Why are you doing it this way?” and follow up with “Have you considered doing it this way?”
4 Focus on Your Business The primary concern for all business owners should be on running the business. Not whether or not to contemplate attending an iPhone developer conference (unless of course you are an iPhone developer) or implement the latest version of iCloud v2.95 with the neat Python code editor in the back-end (illustrative example btw). The only relevant questions business owners should be asking of their IT is, “Ok IT, are you helping me keep my loyal customers happy and how are you doing in helping me get new customers?”
Conclusion IT Outsourcing will help business save on time and cost for both learning IT and IT Staff, provide an objective view of the business to make recommendations on how to improve the business, and allow businesses to do what they do best, to find ways to keep their customers happy. Help us help you keep your customers happy! Get in touch with by emailing me at KevinATomate.com.au or visit our website www.OMate.com.au
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