Outsourcing IT Services Combats Economic Woes, Adds Expert Support

By Charlie Brandt

KSM Business Technology, LLC

December 2009

Today’s economy and the continual competitive need to provide the same products and services more efficiently (and at a lower cost) have many businesses reorganizing to streamline operations.  When the focus of a business shifts accordingly, key components, including the technology that helped drive the historical success of a business, can fall victim to cost reductions or indefinite delays in needed investment. 

However, when used effectively, technology can be a catalyst for reforming and accomplishing the operational benefits a company is striving to achieve.  The challenge facing such corporate reorganization is to effectively streamline today without sacrificing tomorrow’s success.   Thus, maximizing the investment businesses have made in technology becomes more crucial in today’s environment.

One option is to outsource information technology (IT). Outsourcing allows companies to provide the required maintenance, planning, and implementation while maximizing the technology that is in place in a cost-effective manner.  

Reductions in personnel costs and overhead spending can be a top priority in any reorganizational plan, especially when driven by economic uncertainty.  When IT is affected, making those reductions without identifying an option to replace and maintain the required resources can leave a business with a fraction of the support the organization has come to rely upon.

It is important for companies to understand their business goals and the impact installing new technology will have on the company’s culture before implementing it. An experienced partner can assist organizations in deciding which reporting metrics are important and drive the implementation of the correct solution to meet the business needs. Being diligent in the selection process of a GPS program and following through with the technology’s capabilities after implementation will ensure a quick return on investment and allow companies to stay competitive in today’s economy.

The internal IT resources remaining after such reductions are usually stretched just to keep systems operating on a basic level.  The once proactive enterprise IT environment is reduced to a reactive “break-fix” support.  Thus, businesses are left without the means to stay on top of maintenance, security or efficiency concerns. Most importantly, those businesses are unable to maximize their IT investment.  When the economy begins improving and businesses shift back into a growth mode, the personnel cutbacks and reduction in IT support may leave a firm at a serious technological disadvantage in the marketplace, without the ability to respond as quickly as its competitors.  Thus, supplementing or replacing IT resources, rather than reducing resources, is a key objective for businesses.

If tough decisions have left a business without a full IT department, an outsourced IT solution can bridge the gap.   Professional service providers, such as KSM Business Technology, provide the resources to supplement or replace a complete IT department on a temporary, full-time or project-by-project basis.    An outsourced team can allow businesses to stay current on system maintenance, security and efficiencies as internal technicians continue to handle the day-to-day computer system concerns.

An outsourcing arrangement also provides the flexibility to bring in IT expertise on an “as needed” basis, without making a long-term fixed investment that may not be needed.  Additionally, an outsourced IT team can take the lead on daily end user support, freeing budgets for application in other areas. 

A company does not have to sacrifice enterprise level technology support during tough economic times when flexible and cost-effective outsourcing alternatives are available. In addition to solving your staffing and budgetary concerns today, outsourcing IT services sets the foundation for a business to succeed tomorrow.  With an outsourced IT service provider in place a business will be ready to respond when conditions improve, without needing to pause and hire or re-hire staff internally. The framework, skills and budget are already in place for the IT required to support business growth.  A professional outsourced provider will work with the business’s needs in mind, supplying the technical expertise and business acumen to drive technology in meeting strategic business goals.

Companies not experiencing the stress of an unfavorable economy can also benefit from an outsourced IT service provider. An outside provider offers an added layer of expert support for an internal IT department during large scale projects, ongoing system maintenance, or in system enhancement consulting.  An outsourced IT department is an excellent alternative for small to mid-sized businesses that may lack the budget to internally hire full-time technicians along with the resources to manage them.

Outsourced information technology is highly adaptable to a variety of business models and industries.  It is a flexible, effective and quality option for streamlining operations and achieving business success in your marketplace, both now and in the future.