Are you unsure which kind of IT is the best for your business? Multiple factors go into deciding between a managed IT service provider (MSP) vs. internal IT. Each business is different, and so are each business’ needs. And honestly, there are pros and cons to both MSPs and in-house IT.
Before you get any further (SPOILERS!) — Varay and your in-house IT can work together. You don’t have to choose one or the other, and we at Varay don’t want to take your valued IT employee’s job. Your business should have the service level you need, and Varay can complement your internal IT—if that is what’s best for your business. Your “ideal” might be an internal IT tech, IT outsourcing services like Varay, or a partnership between the two. We can work with your existing IT staff, or can completely manage your IT needs.
Since you know your business better than anyone, here are some of the pros and cons of MSPs vs. internal IT to help you make the best decision:
Response time:
An internal IT person can handle issues immediately because they are on-site. However, if your go-to person is absent from work or multiple issues are occurring simultaneously, that can be a problem.
MSPs take care of issues with guaranteed response times specified in a service level agreement (SLA)—i.e., within 24 hours. It’s possible, but difficult, to get a support request taken care of before the agreed-upon time. However, Varay also offers 24-hour monitoring and catches many issues before they become problems.
Visibility and communication:
MSP vs. Internal IT is sometimes a matter of visibility and communication. Ideally, an internal IT person is a trusted colleague, and you can see what they are doing. You can easily ask them questions because they are across the hall! Unfortunately, some MSPs get the gig by being the lowest bidder — without actually having the processes to give a client the support they need. Communication can be a struggle if it isn’t prioritized. And since they aren’t on-site, you might wonder what an unresponsive MSP is doing or if they understand your needs. Varay is not that kind of MSP. Unlike some unresponsive providers, Varay prioritizes communication and responds quickly, even though we aren’t at your facility.
Price:
MSPs focus on bringing equipment and processes up to speed to prevent problems instead of running damage control on inefficient or outdated inventory. While this can save money in the long run, it can cause sticker shock — especially when you’re transitioning from internal IT to managed IT services. Internal IT offers lower-cost quick-fix solutions, which don’t get to the root of problems (and they keep reoccurring). MSP vs. Internal IT is about more than the cheapest option; it’s about finding a partner you can trust. And a good MSP will work within your budget.
Like we said earlier, it doesn’t have to be one or the other! If you are weighing the pros and cons, and it seems like an MSP might be the right fit for your business, contact Varay below for a free consultation. We would love to help your business receive the IT service that is best for you.
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