Companies need to keep their eyes on the prize, which means focusing on the business, not on the technology that runs the business. As a result, more organizations leverage service providers for most – or even all – of their IT operations.
Global IT outsourcing deals jumped in the second half of this year, with $5.8 billion worth of contracts awarded in the third quarter alone. According to ZDNet, the global IT outsourcing market is projected to rise to $288 billion in 2013 due to increased buy-in from businesses across the world. That number is expected to increase dramatically in coming years. A recent Savvis survey of more than 550 senior IT decision makers found that 70 percent of all IT infrastructures will be outsourced within five years.
Businesses clearly have good reasons to outsource IT. If your organization is not outsourcing some or all of its IT operations, here are four reasons to reconsider.
1. Outsourced IT is cost-effective.
IT service providers focus on IT, and therefore their cost per client is typically less than what it would cost a company to do the same work internally. Companies should set well-defined objectives to help ensure costs stay down – even when there is a need for a series of modifications over time.
2. IT services firms have more experience and a wider range of skills.
Outsourcing allows your business to tap into the collective knowledge that your IT services provider has accumulated during many years of working in the field. A provider’s experience with many different customers in a variety of industries can provide a skill set that will help empower your company.
3. Using an IT services provider can reduce risk.
Your business faces risks with every action it takes. Let an outsourced IT provider help assume and manage some of this risk for you. Experienced IT service providers are well-versed in the ins and outs of the industry and can help your company avoid costly mistakes. This, in turn, allows your company to be more agile, flexible and dynamic because there is more time and energy to focus on growing the business.
4. Providers offer round-the-clock service.
IT vendors often have more resources devoted to meeting your business needs. While there may be times during the evening or on weekends when internal IT staff is not available many IT services providers offer 24/7 support. This level of support is particularly helpful for companies with global offices, and guarantees your employees have help in any time zone at any time.
Resource: http://www.forbes.com/sites/centurylink/2013/11/14/four-reasons-to-outsource-it/