Pros and Cons to working with a Managed IT Service Provider – An Objective Look

The Absolute 5 Minutes Guide to Pros and Cons of Working with a Managed IT Service Provider – An Objective Look

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Interested in the idea of partnering with a Managed IT Service Provider, but don’t know where to start? We’ve got you covered! Here is our list of the pros and cons of your business working with a Managed Service Provider. No misleading or nagging long story here, we are giving it to you to straight: these are the honest advantages and disadvantages of working with a Managed IT Service Provider, written by a current Managed Service Provider – us 😀

Pros of working with a Managed IT Service Provider:

  1. Replicating the resources and expertise you gain with a Managed IT Service Provider would be very expensive. The expertise often includes cybersecurity specialists, network administrators, professional services teams, provisioning teams, and help desks.
  2. The suite of tools Managed IT Service Providers have access to is oftentimes specialized and expensive. Due to the economies of scale of the computers and networks they support, they can manage and monitor your network at a higher level than internal IT (usually) at a lower cost.
  3. They have vast knowledge of technology at hundreds of different locations. They see what works and does not work in different settings. They are not “siloed” and can introduce you to new and better technology to improve your business operation.
  4. Most Managed IT Service Providers have robust processes and documentation in place to ensure tickets are completed in a timely fashion. There is a mutual incentive to fix problems quickly and ensure service tickets are minimized, which requires doing things right the first time! However, take note that not all Managed IT Service Providers in Singapore have matured to this level. To have a little glimpse into the operational maturity of the Managed IT Service Provider you are considering hiring, we have developed a guide – 16 Questions You Need To Ask When Evaluating A New IT Provider.
  5. Allows scaling up and down easily. Pricing is often based on a per endpoint or per user. As you grow, your technology spending is easy to predict, rather than having to hire an additional IT team member that may not be working at full capacity or even close to it.

Cons of working with a Managed IT Service Provider:

  1. You have access to the resources, but the amount of time you get is much less than if you had an internal team.
  2. They will not know the ins and outs of your business-specific applications or vendor nuances like an internal IT person could.
  3. Massive variation in the quality and responsiveness of Managed IT Services Providers. It can be difficult to determine which Managed IT Service Provider to choose. Support and pricing can vary greatly! To help more with this, check out 16 Questions You Need To Ask When Evaluating A New IT Provider. The responses to these questions will tell you a lot and help you choose the right provider.
  4. Employees don’t have contracts usually… Even if you’re unhappy with a provider. Oftentimes, there is a minimum of a one-year contract in place.
  5. Less direct management of your IT systems – Your Managed IT Service Provider will likely have a standard set of tools they implement. If you or your internal IT prefer a different set of tools, there will often be a mishmash. This is rarely an issue because most organizations hire a Managed IT Service Provider, so they do not have to consider these things. However, in rare cases, if they do want to stray away from the recommendations, it could be considered a con for both parties.

Read through our list and decide that working with a Managed IT Service Provider may be the right fit for your business. Still, need a bit more convincing? Reach out today for a free consultation to identify your technology and goals!