Do you need help with Part-Time IT Manager or IT Management?
As your business grows, a big question pops up: should you build your own IT team or hire an outside company to handle it? It’s not always a simple choice, especially when you’re somewhere in the middle, say with 50 to 500 staff. This is where things can get a bit tricky, and finding the right balance is key.
The Co-Managed Approach: Best of Both Worlds
For many companies in that 50 to 500 staff range, a co-managed IT setup often hits the sweet spot. Think of it like this: you have someone on your team, right there in the office, who can sort out the day-to-day IT issues. They’re your go-to for quick fixes and keeping things running smoothly. Then, for the bigger stuff – the strategic planning, making sure your cyber security is solid, and planning for future growth – you bring in a managed service provider (MSP). This way, you get that immediate support you need, plus the expert advice and broader capabilities that an MSP can offer.
Key Takeaways
- Under 50 Staff: Generally, just outsource to an MSP. If you need a bit more of my time, we can arrange that.
- 50-500 Staff: A co-managed approach is often ideal. An in-house person for daily tasks, and an MSP for strategy and advanced support.
- Around 1,000 Staff: It’s time to consider a full-time IT director or manager. They’ll likely still work with an MSP.
- Don’t Let Finance Drive IT Strategy: Decisions about technology should be balanced, not just based on cost.
When to Go Full In-House or Stick with Outsourcing
If your company is on the smaller side, with fewer than 50 employees, it usually makes the most sense to outsource your IT entirely to a managed service provider. You get access to a whole team of experts without the overhead of hiring your own. If you find you need a bit more of a personal touch or specific guidance now and then, you can always arrange for extra support, like a few hours a month.
However, as your business scales up, particularly when you reach around 1,000 staff, it becomes really important to think about bringing in a full-time IT manager or director. This person should have a wide range of experience. Even with a dedicated IT director, they’ll probably still want to partner with an MSP. Why? Because the IT landscape is vast, and it’s a lot for one person to handle everything on their own, especially when it comes to things like advanced cyber security and keeping up with the latest tech.
The Pitfalls of Letting Finance Lead IT
One thing to watch out for is letting your finance team make all the strategic IT decisions. While they’re great at managing budgets, their focus is naturally on the financial side. Strategic IT decisions, on the other hand, need a broader view. They involve looking at where technology is heading, what new tools could benefit the business, the cost versus the benefits, and how all of this fits within the company’s budget and future plans. It’s about finding that smart balance between technology and finance.
Navigating Growth and Mergers
Growing a business, especially through mergers and acquisitions, can throw up some unexpected IT challenges. Suddenly, your IT setup can become a real headache, with all sorts of weird problems cropping up. This is precisely the point where having an experienced advisor is incredibly helpful. Someone who has seen a lot of different companies, worked in various environments, and understands the common issues can guide you through these complex times. It’s vital that the board understands the IT decisions they need to make and isn’t just guessing.
