Smaller companies can now outsource IT management
By Deborah Bates
27/04/2011
Smaller companies are now more able to outsource their IT management operations, according to one industry expert.
Writing for Entrepreneur.com, Dan O'Shea made the comments; claiming that only a few years ago, small companies found it difficult to find the right IT management provider.
However, things are now different, he argued: "In the last five years, everything about this sector has changed. Many more companies...have jumped into the game, and costs have fallen sharply."
Smaller companies are also realising the many benefits of outsourcing their IT system management, which O'Shea confirmed: "Typically, saving money is the top benefit for a small business outsourcing its IT management."
"But businesses can also improve overall operational efficiency and get access to knowledge about mobile IT security that will help them run better."
In order to achieve all of these benefits, the insider stated, companies had to work hard to find the right IT management provider that met any specific or niche needs. He said there were different levels of automation that had to be considered, and a diverse range of security services to choose from.
Despite the obvious advantages to outsourcing this function, some smaller businesses still find it tricky to know when is the right time to take the plunge. O'Shea said there was no hard and fast rule, but that "when you decide you need to hire a full-time IT operations and management person, then it's time."
The expert wasn't the only one to praise outsourcing for small companies; with Microsoft also claiming: "Yes, small businesses can benefit from outsourcing too," adding that it helped business owners to focus on other key areas of the company.
