Outsourced IT Support: The Complete Guide 2024

Looking for reliable and cost-effective IT support? Look no further than our 24×7 outsourced IT support services. With our flexible and customizable technology support, we can help you achieve your business goals while minimizing your costs.

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If you have considered outsourcing a task, then you are not alone, as 68% of US companies outsource business operations.

Our team of expert engineers is available around the clock, every day of the week, to ensure that you always have access to the IT assistance you need. With transparent reporting and agreed response and resolution times, you can trust that we’ll provide you with top-notch support that meets your unique needs. Contact us today to learn more about our outsourced IT support services.

What is outsourced IT support?

Outsourced IT support is the process of moving some or all of your operations to a third-party provider or specialist. This provider can be located either domestically or abroad, depending on the needs and budget of the business.

Outsourced IT support takes your business further by providing around-the-clock support, ensuring that IT issues are resolved as soon as possible, regardless of the time of day or night. This can be done through various means, such as remote access, phone support, or on-site visits.

Outsourced IT support is a business strategy where you entrust certain operations to the hands of professionals so you can focus on your core business. 

What IT can be outsourced?

Customer Support

Customer support outsourcing is the process of moving some or all of your customer support operations to a third-party provider. Businesses and the public sector in most industries outsource their contact centre services.

Infrastructure Management

Outscourcing IT infrastructure management can help businesses to save money on labour costs and to access a wider pool of talent.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity outsourcing refers to the practice of hiring third-party vendors or experts to handle various aspects of a company’s cybersecurity operations.

Data backup and recovery

Data backup outsourcing is getting a team of backup experts whose focus is to make sure that your backups are successful and that your data is safe, whether your data is on-premise, in a data centre or backed up to the cloud.

Why should you outsource IT support?

Outsourcing IT support gives modern businesses competitive advantage that internal IT department cannot offer.

  1. Cost savings: Enjoy cheaper expenses compared to maintaining an in-house team. Avoid paying overhead costs such as salaries, benefits, and training, and eliminate capital expenditures such as IT equipment maintenance.

  2. Access to expertise: Outsourcing IT leads to enhanced expertise because your business is connected to a team of experienced professionals with diverse range of skills and experience. They can also provide expert support and advice on specialized areas such as cyber security which may be challenging to find in-house.

  3. Access the latest advances in technology: Benefit from suppliers of IT outsourcing services whose goal is to make sure that your business stay up to date on the newest developments in technology, security threats, and compliance issues. 

  4. Increased efficiency: Devote your time and energy to core competencies while leaving IT support to the experts. Resources are spent more on those that directly meet customer demands.

  5. Improved security: Improved cyber security posture leads to peace of mind. Handling of reliable professionals leads to high uptime and maximized productivity which is essential for those who rely heavily on technology to operate.

  6. Scalability: Outsourced IT support enables you to scale up your services up or down depending on the changing needs of a business. Feel confident during busy seasons knowing that you can meet customer demands without being understaffed. Conversely, when business slows down, you won’t worry about unused equipment or wasted resources.

Outsourced IT support empowers businesses to focus on what they do best while specialists take charge of the complexities of their IT infrastructure. Outsourcing IT has its pros and cons. Some of its disadvantages are the different timezones to deal with, collaboration challenges, and cultural differences. However, the disadvantages of outsourcing IT are obviously outweighed by the benefits brought about by the advantages.

What is in-house outsourced IT support?

In-house outsourced IT support is when a company hires or places IT operations on-site within work premises. Here, the employer has complete control over the technology infrastructure but takes on more obligations. A case scenario is when a company proposes a new accounting department and wants to have control of all accounting activities from within.

In-house vs. Outsourced IT support

Types of IT Support

Break/fix support or Reactive Basis

Break/fix is a type of IT support where the IT team is only called in when there is an issue that needs to be resolved. The cost of this type of support is typically based on an hourly rate, and businesses only pay for the services they use.

This is also called as a reactive basis. Here, the client sends requests as issues arise and the IT provider “reacts” by troubleshooting or giving assistance. 

Managed IT services or Proactive Maintenance

Managed IT Services are a comprehensive IT support solution. Here, the IT team takes care of all aspects of the business’s IT infrastructure, including maintenance, security, and monitoring. The cost of managed IT services is typically based on a monthly fee.

This is also called proactive maintenance where the outsourced IT provider will go through your entire system proactively in order to prevent issues from occurring in the first place.

For example, they may set up regular backups or schedule routine hardware checks. This ensures that you’re always protected against hardware failure or unexpected crashes.

How much does outsourced IT support cost?

The cost of IT support can vary widely depending on a variety of factors.

Factors

Here are some of the key factors that can affect the cost of IT support:

  1. Scope of Services – the scope of services required by a business will have a significant impact on the cost of IT support. For example, a business that requires 24/7 monitoring and support will likely pay more than a business that only requires occasional support.
  2. Size of Business – the size of a business is another important factor to consider when determining the cost of IT support. Larger businesses with more complex IT infrastructures will typically require more support and will therefore pay more.
  3. Geographic Location – The geographic location of a business can also affect the cost of IT support. For example, businesses located in areas with a higher cost of living may pay more for IT support.
  4. Service Level Agreement (SLA) – the service level agreement (SLA) is a contract that outlines the level of service that the IT team will provide. The more comprehensive the SLA, the higher the cost of IT support.
  5. Industry – the industry that a business operates in can also affect the cost of IT support. For example, businesses in highly regulated industries such as healthcare or finance may require more specialized IT support, which can be more expensive.

The cost of outsourced IT support will depend on the factors discussed above. Considering them, here are their average costs based on industry averages:

Break/Fix Support

  • Hourly rate: $75 – $200 per hour
  • Average cost of a single service call: $150 – $350

Managed IT Services

  • Monthly cost per user: $100 – $250 per user
  • Flat monthly fee for small businesses: $1,000 – $3,000 per month
  • Flat monthly fee for medium-sized businesses: $3,000 – $6,000 per month
  • Flat monthly fee for large businesses: $10,000+ per month

Get quote for outsourced IT support:

24x7 Outsourced IT Support Features

  • Complementary vulnerability assessment 
  • Convenient and reliable technology
  • Expertly installed and maintained IT
  • Small business specialization
  • 24/7 helpdesk support
  • Phone and onsite support
  • Monitoring, troubleshooting and management
  • Hardware outsourcing: Desktops, servers, routers
  • Onsite IT support

Support Options

  • Flexible IT support hours to meet your needs or 24×7 support option
  • The option to choose specific skill sets or comprehensive end-to-end support.
  • Only outsource specific areas such as:

Best practices in getting a 24x7 outsourced IT support

When choosing an IT support provider, it’s important to consider factors such as their experience, reputation, and the services they offer. This can maximize the benefits of outsourced IT support.

  1. Choose the right time and right partner – the right time is when outsourcing will help a business achieve a cheaper and more efficient work. To determine this, finding the right partner that makes honest assessment is critical. Businesses should evaluate potential providers based on factors such as:
    • Experience and expertise
    • Location
    • Reputation
    • Expertise
    • Cultural fit
    • Service times
  2. Clearly define expectations and responsibilities
    • To avoid misunderstandings and conflicts, businesses should clearly define expectations and responsibilities in a service level agreement (SLA). This should include performance metrics, response times, escalation procedures, and communication protocols.

  3. Monitor and measure performance
    • Regularly monitoring and measuring the performance of outsourced IT support providers is essential for ensuring that they are meeting the expectations outlined in the SLA. This can be done through tools such as performance dashboards or regular reports.

  4. Continuously improve the relationship
    • Maintaining a healthy relationship with outsourced IT support providers requires ongoing effort. This includes regular communication, feedback, and collaboration to identify areas for improvement and implement solutions.

Why Troinet for your IT outsourcing needs?

Troinet is one of the top outsourcing companies based in New Jersey and serving both NJ and NYC.

  1. Experience: Troinet has more than 20 years of experience providing IT support services to businesses of all sizes across various industries.

  2. Expertise: Troinet’s team of experts has a diverse range of skills and experience in various areas such as cybersecurity, cloud computing, and network infrastructure.

  3. Customization: Troinet offers customized IT support solutions tailored to the unique needs of each business.

  4. Scalability: Troinet’s services can be scaled up or down depending on the needs of the business, providing flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

  5. Proactive approach: Troinet takes a proactive approach to IT support, identifying and addressing potential issues before they become problems.

  6. Customer service: Troinet’s dedicated customer service team provides support and assistance to businesses around the clock, ensuring that IT issues are resolved quickly and efficiently.

  7. Compliance: Troinet adheres to industry standards and regulations, ensuring that businesses’ data is protected and secure.

Resources on Outsourcing Your IT

FAQs

Outsourced IT support vs. in-house IT support

The main difference is the location of the IT staff.

  • In in-house, the IT staff is employed by the company on-site.
  • In outsourced, a third-party company is hired to provide IT support services remotely or via hybrid setup (remote + on-site). This can include support through various means such as phone, email, or remote access to the company’s systems.
  • 24×7 outsourced IT support takes this one step further by providing support around the clock, ensuring that IT issues are resolved as soon as possible, regardless of the time of day or night.

What are the pros and cons of outsourced IT support?

Pros

  • The business frees up its scarce resources and makes them available for investment in other areas;
  • Saves the company money as they do not need to employ dedicated IT staff, pay huge upfront hardware and software costs;
  • High quality at reasonable prices since the provider focuses on the such niche.

Cons

  • Often reported troubles: it tends to disrupt internal operations due to cultural differences, language barriers, and communication issues;
  • Some are worried about security when they hire external IT support services.
  • The location of the off-site employees can make them vulnerable to theft or damage from natural disasters.

 

These downsides are mitigated by a reputable provider committed to goodwill an excellent work ethic, and high-security tools and practices.

Is outsourcing IT support safe?

Yes, outsourcing IT support can be safe as long as the IT support provider takes the necessary measures to ensure the security of a business’s data and infrastructure.

How can I ensure the security of my data when working with an outsourced IT support provider?

Security concern is one of the primary concerns of businesses when outsourcing IT. Here are ways to address it:

  1. Choose a reputable provider: Make sure the IT company has a proven track record for providing secure services. Check its references, certifications, and compliance with industry standards and regulations.
  2. Establish security expectations in the Service Level Agreement (SLA): Clearly set your expectations and terms in the SLA and make sure it includes provisions on data protection policies, security controls, and incident response procedures.
  3. Encrypt data: Encrypt all sensitive data that is transmitted or stored by the outsourced IT support provider. This includes data in transit over networks and data at rest on servers or storage devices.
  4. Conduct regular security assessments: Ensure that the IT support provider’s systems and processes have regular security assessments to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
  5. Establish communication protocols: For reporting data breaches, handling threats, and providing updates on the status of security issues, establish specific communication channels.

What are some use case scenarios of outsourced IT?

Outsourced IT has become common in healthcare. Companies use it to save costs and resources for clinical activities. Functions like scheduling, billing, and data storage can be outsourced. Outsourcing IT can provide the same clinical functionality as local services but with better performance and innovation. Outsourcing helps to achieve global standards in healthcare with a common standard of quality.

Can outsourcing IT support help my business save money?

Yes, outsourcing IT support can be a cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes. It allows businesses to access high-quality IT support at a fraction of the cost of maintaining an in-house team.