There are two different types of IT: managed and in-house. The difference between these two is that managed IT is done for you by a third-party company, whereas in-house IT is done by your company. Which is better? It depends. Which one you choose is based on many different things and won’t always be clear-cut, so here’s a guide on how to decide.
Managed IT
Pros –
1. Cheaper
Managed IT is generally cheaper than in-house IT. This is because third-party IT companies are typically paid through fixed monthly or annual contracts. The fixed price does not change over time, and most of the time, there aren’t any hidden costs. You don’t have to worry about up-front costs, maintenance, or ongoing services. The third-party IT company provides a full service and is responsible for all aspects of your IT.
2. More Reliable
Your network will be more reliable since your IT will be taken care of by a third-party company. You can continue to work and not have to worry about the IT issues because the third-party company will take care of it. The IT company will ensure that your network is always online and connected and often has more resources available vs having one in house IT professional.
3. Customer Service
Managed IT also has better customer service. If you have an issue, you can call the third-party services department and help with your issue or problem. Usually, a third-party IT company is more efficient in dealing with problems than your in-house IT staff, which can be slow and somewhat ineffective to deal with issues because they are busy with other things in the office.
3. Faster Turnaround
Since third-party IT companies have more experience and resources, they can get your issues resolved in a shorter amount of time without you having to wait for days for someone to look at it. Also, if you are using an outsourced IT company, it may give you 24/7 support if needed.
4. Added Security
Managed IT can also provide a safer and more secure network for your company. Since a third-party company would provide it, they have to follow the security standards required by law. This means they have better protection against attacks and malware than an in-house IT system that may not have as many security features.
5. More Expertise
Since managed IT is provided by a third-party company, they have the expertise to provide more services such as networking, data center maintenance, and security. They will recommend new technology that could help your business grow in the future. The third-party IT company can make recommendations based on your business and needs, which means you will be getting the best advice possible.
Cons –
1. Privacy
When a third-party IT company is responsible for your network, they have access to private information on your network, and potential cybersecurity threats are more likely to be exploited. This could be a problem if sensitive data such as employee information, customer credit card information, private client information, and more.
2. Speed
You will not have as much control over some processes with managed IT. You can’t make changes or make adjustments to any network settings without approval from the third-party company. You may also see a slower response time than what your in-house IT staff can provide.
3. Control
If you are responsible for your in-house IT and it fails, you will have complete control of fixing the problem and getting things back to normal as quickly as possible. With managed IT, you don’t have that control. If something goes wrong, then the third-party company will handle everything for you, which means it takes longer to fix the issue.
In-House IT
Pros –
1. Customization
In-house IT solutions can be customized to your specific business needs, as well as the budget. With in-house IT, you have control over making changes to your system and can add more resources if you need them. You can change system software and hardware as well. This will allow you to get what you need for your business and nothing more.
2. Security
You have complete control over your system and the upgrades on it. You are in control of the security, which means you can make sure that there aren’t any holes in your system that could potentially be exploited to break into your network, as well as secure all user accounts.
3. Control
If you go with an in-house IT solution, you have control over your system and the changes made to it. No matter what happens, if something goes wrong, then you can fix it and move on without having to wait for a third-party company to get back to you. It also helps if a quick response time is needed because it would be faster than waiting for a third-party company to get back to you.
4. Efficiency
With in-house IT, you can have onsite or near-site IT staff to help with any issues that may come up. The IT staff will have direct access to your system, and the tech support that is offered can also be accessed at any time.
5. Privacy
In-house IT is more secure than managed IT since you are responsible for the security. Your sensitive data is stored on your network, and you can make sure there aren’t any breaches in your system, which may happen with managed IT. If a third-party company is responsible for handling sensitive data, it could get into the wrong hands if they aren’t careful.
Cons –
1. Ongoing Costs
If you decide to use in-house IT services, you will have ongoing costs. You will have the cost of hiring and keeping an in-house IT team, as well as updates and maintenance fees.
2. Speed
It can take longer to fix problems and issues with in-house IT solutions since there are more processes involved with getting a solution from your in-house IT staff. This could leave you with an out-of-date system or delays in getting new technology for your network.
3. Less Expertise
If your IT staff is in-house, they may not have as much experience or expertise regarding the latest and greatest technology. Going with managed IT will allow you to have more expertise and knowledge in your system, which could mean the difference in keeping up with the latest technology.
Which is better?
Depending on what kind of system you are looking for, your needs and budget will dictate which option is best for you. If you have the money for it, then a managed IT services like MyTek may be a better investment for your business. However, if you are on a tight budget and don’t need all of the extra features, then in-house IT could work out for you as well. The significant difference between the two is how much control you have over the system and whether you have the resources available to handle it effectively.