When it comes to outsourcing IT, many immediate benefits come to mind such as tech issues being resolved quickly, cost savings and a more streamlined process. However, there are IT outsourcing risks and, just like any product or service, it’s important to do your research before making a decision. You need to be certain your data security is in the right hands and being managed by a company with a proven track record for success. Keep reading to discover all the potential risks and how Optimising IT takes a proactive approach to risk mitigation.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
COMPLIANCE RISKS
One of the more common IT outsourcing risks associated with outsourcing services, at least when it’s in the wrong hands, is regulatory compliance. It can be an issue when an IT provider isn’t familiar with specific laws and regulations and could mean your business faces legal penalties and fines.
UNFORESEEN EXPENSES
The wrong IT service isn’t as transparent as more respected providers, and they often have hidden fees for some of their additional services and fail to mention them. These fees can be for assistance with training, documentation and other simple features that should be included with a standard service.
DATA SECURITY
If your company’s IT provider isn’t careful, sensitive data can be exposed to third parties as they might have weaker security protocols. When an IT company isn’t compliant with relevant data protection regulations, they leave themselves and your business, vulnerable to data theft.
POOR COMMUNICATION
Another major risk associated with outsourcing your IT is poor communication. This can sound surface level, but without clear communication, an IT provider would have difficulty tailoring their services to your business. This can lead to costly errors, poor problem resolution and a frustrating process whenever an issue does arise.
QUALITY ISSUES
Outsourcing your IT to a less proven company can mean inconsistent quality of service. Whether it’s a lack of experience or simply being ill-equipped to handle the demands that come from providing a quality service, you should be wary of any IT provider that lacks positive verified reviews due to their service.
5 KEY STEPS TO MITIGATE RISKS WHEN OUTSOURCING YOUR IT
1. FIND THE RIGHT IT PARTNER
To avoid any IT outsourcing risks, it’s important to find the right partner; one that specialises in outsourced IT support, emphasises a proactive approach when it comes to cyber security and has detailed case studies for results-driven success stories. Whether it’s cloud access, collaboration packages or support, Optimising IT can provide all the necessary services to provide your business with peace of mind.
2. PLAN FOR THE WORST
When it comes to mitigating risks, sometimes you have to plan for the worst. It’s the only way to be proactive when it comes to offering security and preventing problems before they arise. Instead of waiting for a problem, proper monitoring and maintenance can prevent issues like a security breach or other technical disruptions.
3. OUTLINE COSTS IN ADVANCE
A good IT partner will be transparent about costs upfront, so you know exactly what services you’re getting and how much it’s going to cost. At Optimising IT, we understand this is beneficial as it allows our partners to plan their budget and expenses.
4. AGREE ON KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
A quality IT partner agrees on key performance indicators (KPIs) to understand the needs of their clients and how to help facilitate those goals. In turn, this helps us better facilitate features like response time and other performance metrics. When we say we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to business, this is what we mean by it.
5. COMMUNICATION MATTERS
Communication is pivotal for any kind of success in business and life. Through clear communication, a good IT partner can quickly assist your business in diagnosing and resolving technical problems. Good communication leads to improved efficiency, service and productivity throughout all facets of IT.
LET OPTIMISING IT MITIGATE THE RISKS FOR YOU
As your IT partner, we offer top-tier tech support, clear communication and provide your business with a proactive approach to preventing security issues. Our quick response time and high customer satisfaction score speaks for itself. Whether you need cyber security, consultancy or cloud services, we’re here to help you streamline your business operations so you can focus on what matters most.
