Organisations often come to us expecting a very specific conversation. They assume we’re going to bombard them with the benefits of outsourced IT, explain why internal teams can no longer cope with modern demands, and tell them that success in the digital age depends on external support.
So it usually comes as quite a surprise when we say, ‘You’ve actually got this!’
We’re the first to admit that managed services don’t make sense for everyone all the time. However, there are situations where an external partner can add significant value, or even become critical to success. But how do you know whether your internal resources are enough, whether you need a helping hand, or whether it’s time to outsource IT completely? Let’s break it all down…
What internal IT does well (and where it falls short)
One of the biggest strengths of internal IT is familiarity. Technology is often treated as a standalone entity, but the fact is that it’s actually woven tightly into every department, process and objective. Internal teams understand how the organisation operates in a way that no external provider ever fully can. While good MSPs invest heavily in learning your business, there’s a level of understanding that comes from simply being there every day. Having that continued on-site presence makes it possible to offer face-to-face support built around established relationships and understanding.
There are, however, some common challenges:
Scaling: Managing today’s IT environment is one thing. Supporting growth, transformation projects and new technologies is another. Businesses often find that while they have the resources to cope right now, they don’t have what they need to support new solutions that could benefit the company.
Security coverage: Cybersecurity is now a full-time responsibility. And it’s a responsibility being dumped on IT teams who are already pretty stretched as it is. Activities like proactive monitoring compete with day-to-day operational demands, meaning risks and threats may be overlooked.
Out-of-hours support: IT teams work standard business hours. Technology problems rarely do. Sadly, issues don’t just appear between 9-5, Monday-Friday. And if a problem rears its ugly head on a Friday night, customers could experience problems all weekend before the root of the issue is found.
When an MSP is a better model
Managed services tend to deliver the greatest value where complexity is high and internal resources are limited. For example, multi-site organisations often need consistent support, security, and governance across several locations.
Compliance-driven industries face increasing regulatory and security obligations that require specialist expertise. Growing businesses present another challenge entirely, with onboarding, system changes, and expansion creating additional pressure at the exact point the organisation can least afford disruption.
In these situations, MSPs provide the additional capacity, specialist knowledge and operational consistency needed to support the business.
What’s best?
We’ll always tell you the truth, whether we think you have what you require already and just need a bit of direction, or whether you really do need someone to take IT off your hands. But honestly, we find that in the majority of cases we actually recommend that businesses explore a hybrid model.
With a hybrid model, you’ll continue utilising your internal resources to maintain that familiarity and on-site presence. They’ll be supplemented with external support to bridge gaps in security coverage, step in when issues happen at inconvenient times, and provide an extra pair of hands during periods of growth, change, and development.
The reality is that most companies don’t need to replace their internal IT teams; they need to strengthen them. And that’s what we’re here to do.
