Drawbacks of IT Outsourcing

While there are numerous advantages many businesses find with outsourcing their IT needs, there are always potential drawbacks that linger. As with outsourcing of any kind, you are trusting an independent third party with an integral aspect to your business. Typical pitfalls include lack of communication, neglect, hidden costs, and poor general practice. Fortunately, ample research and background checks on third-party IT services help you avoid these common issues and allow you to reap the benefit of outsourcing IT support. In the space below, we take a closer look at some of the most common drawbacks.

Poor Quality

There are companies out there, primarily overseas, promising competent IT support they are unable to perform. These third-parties are notorious for taking your business’ hard-earned money and providing sub-par services. They might be  in their advertisement and could potentially put your business at risk, shoring up time on IT issues that would be better spent on growing and maintaining your business. Luckily, these companies are quickly ousted online by upset clients and a little research goes a long way in avoiding these malicious entities. IT issues are often complex and technically challenging, so make sure a company has proven its abilities with prior clients.

Lack of Communication

As many business owners and managers can attest, sometimes an e-mail will not cut it. This is a drawback to some third party IT Support companies and is a risk with outsourcing in general. There are companies who assume to many clients to adequately pay the attention each individual business deserves. This pitfall does not have to be inevitable and several third party services battle this issue with dedicated online and phone support. To re-iterate, have your business do its homework and investigate the company in which you are deliberating to handle your IT needs. Seek a company that you feel comfortable forging an ongoing relationship with.

Continuity

When outsourcing IT services with another company, you are entrusting that company with sensitive data and ultimately a sliver of the future of your business. Without a company that you fully trust, it can be difficult maintaining a working relationship with an external third-party that might not hold your company’s best interests at heart. In addition, an unreliable outsourced IT company might not hold your business as a priority and you always have the worry of redirecting engineers and tech support to address the various problems that may arise. The good news is that there are several vetted, reliable IT services out there. Just be sure to make the right choice.