As the security and IT skills gaps continue to grow, businesses need a way to access technology expertise even when they don’t have the right professionals in-house. This is where IT outsourcing comes in.
The IT outsourcing market is booming and research indicates it will reach $398 billion by 2025. IT outsourcing isn’t just nice to have anymore. It’s become a crucial function in businesses of all sizes.
Afterall, these days every company is a technology company. Digitalization and data have become vital to business competitiveness.
For SMBs, especially, IT outsourcing facilitates access to resources, expertise and guidance that they would otherwise have to go without.
However, not every managed services provider (MSP) is created equal. While some MSPs deliver value-added services that help companies to flourish, some offer the bare minimum.
So, how do you spot the great MSPs from the average ones? Critically, you should look for signs of innovation.
A great MSP will keep their finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the worlds of technology and cybersecurity. Not only will they help you achieve the basics, but they’ll help you use digital tools to improve your business, so you can boost productivity, find new efficiencies and lower costs.
With that in mind, here are the latest and greatest trends we’re seeing in IT outsourcing:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) For Better Productivity
AI is a branch of computer science that uses machine learning, data analytics and automation to
Create self-learning, autonomous machines. It sounds futuristic and scary – but AI is everywhere! Self-service kiosks, Amazon Alexa and many other tools use AI. Your business can too!
A good MSP will help you to use AI to automate routine processes, such as invoicing or time tracking. This helps you to save money in the long-run, as your employees can focus on higher-value tasks rather than mundane, repetitive ones. In line with this, research shows that AI leads to 50% more sales and up to 60% cost reductions for businesses.
Remote Work Leads To New Technology Practices
The technology consultancy Gartner predicts that remote working will continue to soar over the next few years. A new mode of working calls for new technology and cybersecurity solutions.
Look for an MSP that helps you make the move to remote working seamless and secure for your employees. They can help you find the right solutions for remote collaboration and communication. They should also assist you with data security solutions that protect company data no matter where it resides.
Cloud Computing Becomes The Norm
In line with the rise of remote working, we’ll see more and more companies use the cloud for 100% of their business operations. You probably already use Slack, Teams or Google Workspace, as well as your on-premises server.
In the future, it’s likely that all of your work will be stored in the cloud – with no on-premises servers at all!
While the cloud has a lot of benefits, it can be complex to manage and secure if you don’t have the right expertise. Your outsourcing partner should help you to demystify the cloud, ensuring that you get the most out of your services – and at a good price!
The Democratization of Blockchain in SMBs
Blockchain refers to distributed ledgers that keep track of transactions, creating trust and transparency in the payments process. As cryptocurrency grows in popularity, many experts believe that blockchain is the future of the banking system!
You might invest in crypto in your spare time, but have you ever thought of using blockchain in your business? For example, some e-commerce stores now enable their customers to pay via bitcoin. This is a nice touch that can open the doors to new customers.
A good IT service provider will help you to understand how you can use blockchain to enhance your services and generate growth.
IT Sourcing and Cybersecurity Services Are Merging
Threats like ransomware, phishing and data breaches are everywhere in the digital world. One bad cyber-attack can put a company out of business. As a result, having the right cybersecurity defenses in place is more important than ever.
No business wants to pay for IT services and cybersecurity services separately. It would be easier to have one company as the go-to for all things technology and cybersecurity.
Leading IT providers have understood this need. As a result, they are offering more than just IT support. They now include security-as-a-service in their offerings, so that customers can benefit from 24/7 IT and security support for one fixed monthly price.
Start Your IT and Security Outsourcing Journey Today!
If you’re serious about working with a new IT and security support partner to improve your business and contribute to long-term growth, this is your next step. Book a 15 minute, no obligation video call with me via this link.