12 IT Services Businesses Can (and Probably Should) Outsource
Almost all businesses rely on digital technologies to function, but not all businesses have robust in-house IT teams to build and maintain those tools and systems. However, without IT support, businesses will likely experience frustrating inefficiency and incur higher costs, which puts success and survival at risk. Outsourcing crucial IT services might be the best option to ensure that organizations are enjoying the support they need; here are a few services that all businesses should consider outsourcing today:
Network Security
As businesses become the primary target for cybercriminals, securing the corporate network becomes one of the most critical tasks for IT. However, because cybersecurity is remarkably complex and requires distinct skills from other IT responsibilities, it is often best to use managed cybersecurity solutions.
Network Configuration
Network configuration consists of assigning policies, flows, and controls to ensure organization and efficiency within the business network, which leads to security and stability. Because this task is exceedingly complex, it might be best outsourced to experienced network experts.
APIs
Application programming interfaces (APIs) work between software and other business systems to ensure data flows smoothly and securely throughout a network. Mistakes in APIs can have catastrophic consequences, so unless in-house IT workers are skilled in API integration and maintenance, an organization might choose to outsource APIs to third-party tech teams.
Artificial Intelligence
Google, Amazon, and other tech industry giants suggest that AI will become completely disruptive in a matter of years. The sooner an organization adopts an AI strategy — and utilizes the expertise of third-party AI professionals — the more effectively it can innovate and avoid becoming obsolete during the imminent AI revolution.
Data Storage
Businesses can acquire their servers to store digital information in-house — but building and maintaining servers is remarkably difficult, not to mention expensive. Professional data storage solutions keep costs low for individual clients and continuously improve their servers and networks to ensure high-quality service.
Data Backup
There are dozens of good reasons for businesses to participate in data backups. Outsourcing data backups is generally wise because backups should not be directly connected to the rest of the network, where they will be easy for attackers to access and harm.
VoIP
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a common tool for customer service teams and centers that field many voice calls. Organizing and maintaining VoIP systems can be difficult, and outsourcing the process to experts frees the IT team for less specialized work.
Email Marketing
A project that requires equal input from marketers and IT professionals, email marketing is an essential component of maintaining engagement with customers. Fortunately, outsourcing email marketing tends to be cheaper and easier than keeping the task in-house.
Web Design
Web design forms the foundation of a brand’s identity in the digital age, so companies must get their websites right. Both IT and marketing skills are beneficial in web design, and third-party web design experts have the right amount of both types of skills to ensure success.
Data Analysis
More than a decade ago, big data was a buzzword; now, it is a fundamental business practice necessary for competition in almost every market. Yet, few IT workers are skilled in the complex field of data. Business leaders with organizations that lack dedicated data analysis teams cannot place this important responsibility on IT; rather, it should be outsourced to knowledgeable data experts.
Data Visualization
Few executives can decipher insights and improve their decision-making using raw information alone. Data visualizations represent information in a way that facilitates pattern recognition. Because IT teams are rarely skilled in data science, creating data visualizations might be better outsourced to professionals in the data field.
Data Synchronization
With so many workers relying on the data stored on a business’s network, the business needs to ensure that data is consistent for every user. Data synchronization helps to update the system automatically with any changes to business data. Though data synchronization can be assured with easy-to-use solutions, unskilled IT workers may need help building and installing them.
All digital-age companies need IT workers on hand, but in-house IT teams do not need robust knowledge and expertise in every tech-related field. Outsourcing some of the most important components of a business’s network, data, and marketing allows IT to stay small and agile so they can focus on keeping the business running from day to day.
