Is it better to outsource network support or use IT
employees?
Since network support is essential for any company with multiple
IT users, the key question for business managers is how to fund the
necessary networking expertise.
The dilemma usually comes down to this: hire employees with
network support skills, or outsource to a dedicated network support
firm?
Advantages of IT employees
One benefit of employing your own IT staff is that they are
typically multi skilled individuals who can solve numerous computer
problems around the workplace.
With employees you also get to create a workplace culture and
benefit from different angles on decision making.
However, there are limits to what employees can accomplish in
the vital area of network support, as well as limits that the
employment model imposes on the agility of your business.
IT Employees don't work 24/7
…whereas your networks need to function round the clock,
and at weekends too. You can't call on your staff to fix an IT
network problem after they've gone swimming, abseiling or to the
cinema. Of course, IT employees also get sick and need holidays
from time to time.
The bare minimum this adds up to is that you should have an
outsourced network support agreement in place at least for holiday,
sickness and out-of-hours cover.
Keeping up with technology
The multi-disciplined IT employee can be an asset to your
business on many fronts. However, this doesn't necessarily mean
their networking knowledge is up to date.
Outsourced network support engineers, on the other hand,
continually hone and perfect their knowledge to make sure that
there is no IT network issue they cannot work on.
What about growth?
We haven't begun to discuss the burdens and responsibilities of
taking on staff when you're a small and growing company - that's a
topic discussed in another article.
If you have found this article thought-provoking, contact our Bristol IT support team for further
information on oursourcing part or all of your network support.
