Managing an organization’s information technology (IT) infrastructure can be a daunting task, whether it’s for a small business or a large enterprise. It can be challenging to decide between hiring a full-time employee or outsourcing to a technology managed service provider (MSP). While both options have their merits, in this blog post, we will explore five reasons why a technology MSP is better than a full-time employee (FTE), and also look at some reasons to hire an FTE.

Reasons Favoring FTEs

Reasons you might be better served by hiring an FTE include:

  1. Dedicated attention: When you hire a full-time employee, you get someone who is dedicated solely to your business’s IT infrastructure. They become an integral part of your team, and you can trust them to prioritize your company’s needs. In contrast, an MSP may have multiple clients and may not be able to provide the same level of personalized attention.
  2. Cultural fit: A full-time employee can be a better cultural fit for your organization, which can be important for teamwork, communication, and overall company morale. They have a better understanding of your company’s values, goals, and vision, which allows them to align their work with your business objectives. In contrast, an MSP may not be as familiar with your company’s culture and may not always be able to adapt to your organization’s unique needs.
  3. Knowledge of your systems: A full-time employee can become an expert in your company’s IT infrastructure, which allows them to identify potential issues and resolve them quickly. They have a better understanding of your systems, processes, and operations, which allows them to make better-informed decisions and provide tailored solutions. In contrast, an MSP may not have the same level of knowledge of your company’s systems and may require more time to understand your IT infrastructure.
  4. Greater control: With a full-time employee, you have greater control over your IT infrastructure. You can set expectations and ensure that your employee is meeting your standards. You can also provide ongoing training and development opportunities, allowing your employee to grow and develop their skills over time. In contrast, with an MSP, you may not have as much control over the services provided, and you may not be able to influence their training and development opportunities.
  5. Better accountability: With a full-time employee, you have better accountability for your IT infrastructure. If something goes wrong, you know exactly who is responsible, and you can hold them accountable for any issues. In contrast, with an MSP, it may be more challenging to assign responsibility for any technical issues that arise, which can lead to finger-pointing and delays in resolving problems.

Reasons Favoring MSPs

  1. Cost-effectiveness: A technology MSP can be a more cost-effective option than hiring a full-time employee. When you hire an MSP, you pay for the services they provide, and you don’t have to worry about salaries, benefits, training, or other expenses associated with hiring an employee. This can save you a considerable amount of money in the long run.
  2. Flexibility: A technology MSP can provide you with greater flexibility than a full-time employee. MSPs can scale their services up or down depending on your needs, which means you only pay for what you use. They can also provide services on a project-by-project basis, allowing you to tap into their expertise and resources only when you need them.
  3. Specialized expertise: A technology MSP is likely to have a team of specialized professionals with expertise in various areas of IT, such as cybersecurity, cloud computing, network management, and more. This means you can access a broad range of skills and knowledge that may not be available in-house. Additionally, MSPs are often required to stay up-to-date with the latest technology trends and best practices to remain competitive, so you can benefit from their continuous education.
  4. Proactive monitoring: A technology MSP can provide proactive monitoring of your IT infrastructure, identifying and addressing issues before they become major problems. This can help prevent costly downtime and keep your systems running smoothly. In contrast, a full-time employee may not have the same level of expertise or resources to monitor your systems proactively.
  5. Reduced downtime: With a technology MSP, you can expect reduced downtime because they have the resources and expertise to quickly address issues as they arise. This means you can minimize the impact of technical issues on your business operations, resulting in increased productivity and profitability. In contrast, a full-time employee may take longer to resolve technical issues, leading to prolonged downtime and decreased productivity.

While hiring a full-time employee may seem like the best option for managing your IT infrastructure, outsourcing to a technology MSP can provide many advantages. MSPs offer cost-effective, flexible, specialized, proactive, and reliable services, allowing you to focus on your core business objectives while leaving your IT management to the experts.

In conclusion, outsourcing to a technology MSP has true benefits with cost and flexibility outweighing all else. That said, the decision is ultimately based on the specific needs and priorities of your business. Contact an Innovative Account Executive to discuss how our managed and project services might best serve your firm at [email protected] or 1-800-541-0450.