What does outsourcing of IT services mean?

Outsourcing simply means to fulfill a function from an external resource instead of an internal team or staff member. When it comes to the outsourcing of IT services, this can take a couple of forms.

First, there is outsourcing IT projects when you hire a vendor or contractor to take on a specific IT project or component — such as a cloud migration, after hours help desk or a set number of support hours per month. These are what we refer to as “break fix” solutions. They are designed to fix a problem or fill a specific need, but they are not proactively serving the IT and cyber security needs of your business.

Outsourcing your IT support with a managed service provider (MSP) is more encompassing. It includes the help desk and project expertise, but also actively works to keep your network free of problems. When you outsource your IT needs to a managed service provider, you get a highly efficient IT team that literally works constantly to prevent breaks or breaches from happening so that your business can continue its goals seamlessly.

MSPs provide 24/7/365 coverage and also keep up with the latest trends in IT. You have the benefit of an entire team of IT experts and cyber security specialists. Plus it typically costs less per month than hiring in-house resources. Learn more about the different approaches for the outsourcing of IT services.