In-house Tech Support vs. Managed IT Support: 10 Main Differences You Should Know

Today, most businesses rely heavily on technology for their day-to-day operations. As such, an effective IT support system is essential for any organization. But with so many options available, how do you know which is right for you? One of the primary differences between them lies in who provides the service: in-house or managed IT support.

In-house IT support

An internal service provided by a company's employees. This type of support often requires a more significant upfront investment to hire and train the proper personnel. It can also require substantial ongoing costs, such as salaries, benefits packages, and other employee expenses. The primary benefit of this option is that it provides direct control over service levels and response times.

Fully Managed IT Services

A third-party service provider that provides expertise and advice to businesses on their technology needs. The benefit of managed IT services is that it offers greater flexibility than traditional in-house models, as there are no long-term contracts or extra overhead costs associated with hiring personnel. However, you will be relying on the knowledge and capabilities of the third-party provider for your IT support.

Here are ten key differences between In-house Tech Support and Managed IT Support that you should consider when deciding which option is best for your business:

1. Cost

When we talk about cost, we mean both the upfront and ongoing costs of each model. Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages in terms of price.

In-house IT support: With this model, the upfront costs are typically higher as it requires a business to hire and train personnel. Ongoing charges such as salaries and benefits packages will also be incurred.

Managed IT support: The upfront costs of this approach are usually lower than in-house since there is no overhead associated with hiring employees. However, ongoing fees for the managed service provider may be charged depending on the type of contract.

2. Control

Organizations often desire direct control over their IT support services to meet customer demands and standards.

In-house IT support: This model provides greater control as the organization will have a team of employees who can be held directly accountable for service levels and response times of their helpdesk support.

Managed IT support: With this approach, organizations may need help maintaining the same level of control since they rely on an external provider. The managed service provider has processes that they must follow and cannot always guarantee specific service levels or response times.

3. Expertise

Having experienced personnel is essential when it comes to providing quality IT support services. Organizations should consider the level of expertise and experience that each option can provide.

In-house IT support: Hiring personnel means you have access to their skills and experience. It allows organizations to tailor their team to meet specific needs or requirements.

Managed IT support: With this model, organizations will rely on the third-party provider's knowledge and capabilities for their IT support. They may also benefit from any specialist expertise or industry experience that the managed service provider already has in place.

4. Flexibility

Businesses should also consider how much flexibility they need when adjusting their IT support services as business environments change over time.

In-house IT support: Organizations may need help to adjust the size and scope of their in-house team as business needs evolve. It can also be challenging to scale up or down quickly if needed.

Managed IT support: This approach offers greater flexibility as there are no long-term contracts or extra overhead costs associated with hiring personnel. With managed IT services for small businesses, they can quickly scale up or down depending on your short or long-term business requirements.

5. Responsiveness

Having a fast response time is essential when it comes to providing quality IT support services. Organizations should consider how quickly they can expect a response from each option.

In-house IT support: With this model, you have direct control over service levels and response times, so you know what to expect from your IT team.

Managed IT support: The response time of the managed service provider will depend on the terms of your contract and the processes they have in place. However, this approach typically offers a more responsive solution backed by an experienced team who can quickly respond to any issues.

6. Security

When it comes to securing data and protecting networks from threats, organizations should consider the level of security each option can provide.

In-house IT support: This approach provides greater control and visibility over who has access to your networks and data. It also allows for more customized security protocols tailored to your specific requirements.

Managed IT support: With a managed service provider, you will benefit from their expertise in security solutions as they typically have access to better tools and resources than an in-house team would. However, there may be less control over who has access to data if the provider manages it on behalf of multiple clients.

7. Scalability

Organizations should consider how much scalability each model can offer as business needs change or grow over time.

In-house IT support: This approach may limit organizations to the resources they can access as they can only sometimes scale up or down quickly in response to changing business needs.

Managed IT support: With this model, organizations typically benefit from better scalability as there are no overhead costs associated with hiring personnel and no long-term contracts that must be maintained.

8. Proactive Maintenance

Having proactive maintenance processes in place is essential to preventing and reducing downtime. Organizations should consider the level of preventative maintenance each option can provide.

In-house IT support: This model provides greater control over preventative maintenance schedules as you are responsible for developing and monitoring your procedures.

Managed IT support: With a managed service provider, they will typically have automated tools in place that monitor systems 24/7 and identify any issues before they become problems.

9. Compliance

Organizations should consider the level of compliance each option can provide for industry regulations such as HIPAA and PCI.

In-house IT support: This approach provides greater control over compliance procedures as you are responsible for developing and monitoring your processes.

Managed IT support: With a managed service provider they typically have extensive experience in meeting industry regulations, so you can be confident that your systems are compliant.

10. Access to the Latest Technology

Organizations should consider the level of access to the latest technology each option can provide.

In-house IT support: With this model, organizations may need help to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of technology as they have limited resources.

Managed IT support: This approach typically provides better access to the latest tools and technologies as managed service providers constantly invest in new technologies that benefit their clients.

Conclusion

By evaluating these ten main differences between in-house IT support and managed IT support, organizations can decide which option is best for their business needs. Although both options offer unique benefits, understanding how these solutions compare will help ensure that you select the best fit for your organization.

The key to making the right decision is understanding your needs and how each option can address them. By considering factors such as cost, scalability, security, proactive maintenance, compliance, and access to the latest technology, you will be better equipped to decide which type of support is best for your business.

It is important to note that in-house IT support and managed IT support can benefit organizations depending on their unique needs. By understanding the ten main differences between them, you can determine which option is most suitable for your organization and ensure that it meets your requirements. Regardless of your chosen model, having a reliable IT support team can help improve business operations and reduce downtime. With the right service provider or in-house team, you can ensure that your systems remain secure, up-to-date, and compliant with industry regulations.