As your business grows, so do your technology needs. You reach a point where you can’t just “wing it” with IT anymore. But what’s the best way forward? Should you build an internal IT team or work with an outside provider?
For many small and mid-sized businesses, outsourced IT support offers a smarter, more flexible approach. But that doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for everyone. In this post, we’ll break down the differences, key advantages, and what to consider before making the call.
What Is Outsourced IT Support?
Outsourced IT support means partnering with a third-party provider to handle your technology needs. That provider, often called a Managed Service Provider (MSP), becomes your go-to resource for everything from troubleshooting and updates to cybersecurity and cloud services.
This approach gives you access to a full team of experts, 24/7 support, and the latest tools—usually for a predictable monthly fee.
If you’re new to managed services, The Business Owner’s Guide to Managed IT Services provides a strong foundation.
The In-House IT Model
In contrast, building an internal IT department means hiring employees to manage your infrastructure. This works well for larger companies with complex systems, compliance requirements, or specialized in-house software. But for smaller businesses, it can be expensive, difficult to scale, and hard to maintain the level of expertise needed across every area of IT.
Learn More in our blog “In-House vs. Outsourced IT Support- What’s Best for Your Business?”
“Did you know?”
The average cost of a full-time IT professional exceeds $100,000 annually when you factor in salary, benefits, and overhead. In comparison, outsourced IT support gives you an entire team for a fraction of that cost.
Pros and Cons of Each Approach
Here’s how outsourced IT and in-house IT stack up:
Outsourced IT Support
- Lower and more predictable monthly costs
- Broader expertise across networking, security, cloud, and compliance
- 24/7 support coverage
- Scalable as your business grows
In-House IT
- Direct internal oversight and familiarity with your systems
- Easier to integrate into internal processes and culture
- May be better for highly specialized infrastructure
“Did you know?”
Businesses with outsourced IT resolve support tickets 30% faster on average, thanks to established help desk teams, escalation processes, and automation tools.
When Outsourced IT Support Makes More Sense
If your business has under 100 users, doesn’t require real-time internal tech staff, or you’re looking to scale, outsourced IT support is often the better move.
It allows you to:
- Focus your internal team on strategic goals, not tech issues
- Reduce downtime with proactive monitoring
- Protect your systems with advanced cybersecurity tools
To see if now is the right time to outsource, visit When Do Managed IT Services Make Sense for Small Businesses?
What Should Be Included in Your Support Plan?
Not all IT providers offer the same level of service. A quality support relationship should be guided by a clear, well-defined Managed Services Agreement that outlines:
- What services are covered
- What tools are provided (security, monitoring, support, etc.)
- What’s excluded or billed separately
“Did you know?”
A clearly written managed services agreement is the single most important document for protecting your business from IT-related gaps or surprises.
What to Expect from PCC’s Outsourced IT Support
At Professional Computer Concepts, our outsourced IT support is built around one goal: making sure your business runs securely, efficiently, and without tech headaches.
Every client receives:
- Proactive Monitoring and Maintenance
We keep your systems healthy and respond to issues before you even notice them. - Unlimited Help Desk Support
Your team can call, email, or submit a ticket anytime and get fast, helpful support. - Full Cybersecurity Stack
Including SentinelOne EDR, DNS filtering, phishing training, password management, dark web monitoring, and PAM. - Cloud and Microsoft 365 Management
We manage email, user access, backups, and more to keep your cloud systems secure and synced. - Strategic IT Planning
Regular business reviews, budgeting guidance, and advice on aligning your technology with your goals. - Transparent Flat-Rate Pricing
No hidden charges. Just straightforward billing and clear expectations.
You can learn more about what’s included in your agreement in What’s Included in a Managed Services Agreement?
Final Thoughts
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But for many growing businesses, outsourced IT support provides the flexibility, expertise, and protection needed to move forward confidently—without the cost and complexity of managing it all in-house.
If you’re ready to reduce risk, improve uptime, and give your team the support they need, we’d love to help.
Contact us to start a conversation.