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IT outsourcing allows businesses to perform certain operations more quickly and efficiently, at a more affordable cost. Why hire an entire IT department when a managed IT service provider can work just as effectively? Organizations use managed IT service providers to perform a range of functions, from infrastructure and software development to maintenance and support. IT outsourcing companies cater to smaller and larger companies alike—find a company that caters to your individual needs.

Small business IT outsourcing can save your company money, as it’s often less expensive to hire a managed IT service provider rather than it is to build an in-house IT management team. Most large companies outsource at least a portion of their IT functions, and a managed IT service provider can assist small businesses as well. A small business may not require a multimillion dollar contract with an IT firm, but it could certainly benefit from a team of professionals that handle web hosting, programming, data and server management. A company may look into small business IT outsourcing for their data storage needs, for example, to avoid having to buy and maintain its own data storage equipment.

Because different organizations require a wide range of IT services, managed IT service providers provide vastly different services. For example, one organization may require on-site support, while another may function well with remote web hosting. Other businesses may need a managed IT service provider to handle technology issues as they arise. Often, small businesses benefit from regional IT companies with local offices rather than large IT companies that perform off-site services.

Most managed IT service providers offer the following services:

• Information security
• System management
• Virtualization
• Data storage
• Communications
• Wireless network management
• Network infrastructure management

When should you look into small business IT outsourcing?

When determining if small business IT outsourcing can help your company, first assess your own capabilities and constraints. Does your company require more IT experts than you can afford to hire, or more IT services than your own team can handle? Before hiring a managed IT service provider, identify the types of services you’re looking for, and pinpoint your budget and security needs—companies switching from in-house IT to outsourced or a managed IT service provider may find this step a bit easier than those starting from scratch.

Your company may benefit from a managed IT service/small business IT outsourcing if:

• Your company requires IT staff, but you don’t want to hire new IT employees
• Your own IT team doesn’t have the time or expertise for certain projects
• You want to upgrade to the latest technology, but don’t know how to implement and manage it
• You need help on a per-project or temporary basis