If you’re in IT, you’re the go-to person for help when something goes wrong, which also means you’re extremely busy! With technical requests popping up right and left, it can feel like you’re playing an endless game of whack-a-mole, and each quarter seems to bring a new wave of projects that threaten to slip through the cracks, leaving you stressed out and endlessly juggling priorities.
If this sounds like you, then you probably appreciate the benefits of partnering up with an MSP. Your boss, on the other hand, might not see it as clearly.
In this blog, we’ll tackle the common questions your boss might throw your way about outsourcing. We’ll arm you with persuasive answers that highlight not only the benefits for the company but also how this partnership can lighten your load, allowing you to focus on the bigger picture.
Question: What exactly are co-managed IT services, and why do we need them?
Co-managed IT services refer to a partnership between your internal IT team and a Managed Service Provider (MSP) to collaboratively share responsibilities and expertise. This arrangement allows your existing team to focus on strategic initiatives while the MSP handles routine tasks, allowing for a balanced and efficient workload.
The key to any compelling argument is solid evidence that directly supports what you’re saying. Depending on your struggles as a department, what you might need to offload and outsource is your biggest variable. When presenting the information, be organized, honest, and upfront about the challenges you’re facing, and back them up with numbers and facts. Are constant requests for help keeping you from completing projects? Are you worried about your overall security or feel like you need to update your infrastructure but don’t have time to research the right upgrades and investments?
Make a direct correlation between the major pain point or issue and how an MSP will directly help eliminate or resolve it. Remember, if you tell your boss that your risk for a breach has increased by any percentage because you haven’t been able to tackle a specific security project, odds are that’s going to be a compelling argument.
Question: How much does it cost?
Most company executives are data-driven and focused on the bottom line. The question of cost is not just a minor concern; it carries substantial weight and demands a well-thought-out response. As you navigate the complexities of outsourcing, being equipped to address this question can set you apart and lead your boss to an easier decision.
The cost of working with an MSP can vary depending on the services you need and the MSP’s pricing model. Most offer flexible pricing models, which could include monthly fees, pay-as-you-go, or tiered pricing based on the level of service needed. Some might even have pricing guarantees you can take advantage of and bring up when pitching the options to your boss.
Having a quote or cost estimate in hand when bringing this to your boss is your best course of action. Find a few service providers you like and inquire about pricing. Most will be happy to discuss your needs and the pricing options available.
Here are some additional points you can make regarding cost:
- Reduced downtime – By leveraging the expertise of an MSP, you can minimize system outages and disruptions, ensuring your operations run smoothly and efficiently, which ultimately saves the company money in lost productivity
- Scalability – An MSP can easily adjust services to match your business needs, allowing you to scale up or down.
- Predictable Monthly Costs – Instead of facing unexpected expenses from in-house IT projects and issues, outsourcing to an MSP allows for predictable budgeting through flat monthly fees, making financial planning simpler.
- Improved Risk Management – With specialized resources dedicated to monitoring and securing your systems, an MSP reduces the likelihood of costly data breaches and compliance fines, ultimately protecting your bottom line.
Question: Why should we outsource instead of hiring another person in-house?
There are several compelling reasons you can use to address this question when it comes up. The first is cost efficiency. Hiring additional in-house IT professionals (at any level) involves a range of expenses beyond just salary. Recruitment costs, training, equipment, and benefits all add to the hiring price tag. In contrast, an MSP operates on a predictable monthly subscription model, delivering a wide array of services at a fraction of the cost it would take to employ someone full-time.
With an MSP, you’re accessing a team of experts and a breadth of resources without the financial burden of onboarding and maintaining a full-time staff member. An MSP brings a diverse pool of talent with a wide range of skills, specializations, and certifications that you likely couldn’t get by hiring one person.
So, while hiring an additional in-house IT person might seem appealing to your boss, the advantages of engaging a Managed Services Provider far outweigh this option because they not only fulfill your current IT needs but also strive to ensure that technology helps your business grow and succeed.
Question: Is it safe to let an MSP into our environment?
Trust is a big deal; you don’t just give anyone a copy of your house key!
So naturally, when you or your boss consider allowing an MSP into your environment, concerns about security are sure to arise. However, it’s important to point out that partnering with an MSP can actually enhance your security and operational efficiency rather than diminish it.
Here are some points you can use to put your boss at ease.
- Retained Control: Working with an MSP doesn’t mean giving up control. The MSP is there to support you, not to take over entirely. Your internal IT team will maintain oversight of core systems and processes. You determine which areas you want to outsource based on your needs, allowing retained control over critical operations. Emphasize that you can define access controls to ensure that only certain individuals or teams can access specific data or systems.
- Defined Scope of Work: When you decide to move forward with an MSP, you establish a clearly defined scope of work, typically through a Service Level Agreement (SLA). This document outlines what services will be provided and the expectations for performance. It ensures that the MSP operates within the boundaries you set.
- Transparency and Audit Trails: A credible MSP will foster a collaborative relationship rather than a siloed one. They should maintain open lines of communication with your internal team and provide regular updates, reports, and access to necessary information. The MSP should also utilize monitoring tools to track any access or changes made to your systems. This not only helps prevent unauthorized access but also provides a clear audit trail that can be reviewed at any time.
- Exit Strategy: Reassure your boss that you’ll work with the MSP to define an exit strategy. Reputable MSPs include clauses in their contracts that outline how the transition will occur if you decide to part ways. This can consist of returning data, transferring knowledge, and ensuring a smooth handover to prevent any lock-in scenarios.
If you’ve done your homework and investigated several MSPs, you can also assure your boss that the people you’ve reached out to are reputable and well-trusted. Ask for testimonials, videos, and references to help support your cause.
Question: How would outsourcing benefit the business as a whole?
Ultimately, the goal of partnering with an MSP is to improve your IT capabilities and alleviate the pressures on your internal team. One key advantage is the opportunity for strategic business reviews (SBRs). These reviews provide valuable insights into your current IT environment. The MSP can identify gaps in your infrastructure and make tailored recommendations that align with your organizational objectives, ultimately driving growth.
In terms of efficiency, outsourcing routine IT tasks enables your internal team to devote more time to high-priority projects that truly matter. This increased bandwidth can lead to improved project outcomes and innovation as they focus on core business initiatives rather than getting bogged down by day-to-day issues. You also gain access to a team of certified professionals who stay updated on the latest technologies and best practices, which can be a challenge for in-house staff to maintain due to time constraints.
Security is another critical area in which an MSP excels. They implement stringent security measures and compliance protocols that bolster your defenses against cyber threats. As cyberattacks become more sophisticated, having an experienced partner can significantly mitigate risks and ensure your data is protected.
Lastly, don’t forget to mention scalability. As your business evolves, an MSP can easily adjust their services to match your changing needs. Whether you’re expanding operations or require additional support during peak times, an MSP provides flexibility to scale without the associated overhead of hiring and training new staff.
Wrapping it up
Convincing your boss to partner with a Managed Service Provider might feel like trying to convince a cat to take a bath—plenty of resistance and a fair bit of scratching. But remember, just like that resistant cat will end up looking cleaner and happier after the ordeal, you and your team will breathe a massive sigh of relief once the major burdens are lifted, and that makes the difficult pitch to the boss worth it.
So, instead of playing task whack-a-mole, you can put your energy into innovating and strategizing! Heck, maybe even turn that coffee break into a well-deserved long lunch (or at least a decent snack).
Let the boss know that partnering with an MSP isn’t just smart; it’s a no-brainer!
How CCB Can Help
If this blog has sparked ideas about how co-managed IT services could alleviate the pressures on your internal team, we’d love to chat! A conversation with us is the perfect first step toward exploring how our partnership can empower your IT department to focus on what truly matters—driving your company’s success.
Contact us today, and let’s start a conversation that could lead to a brighter, less hectic future for your IT operations!
