Most businesses these days rely heavily on computer systems in order to run. They process our orders, store customer information, run our websites and host numerous software applications, among many other things. While all of this technology makes it easier to run your business and provides you with many advantages not previously available, technology isn’t perfect. At some point, you are likely to run into a problem, and when that time comes you’ll need some help to fix it.

The question you then need to ask yourself is “Do I want on-site IT support or remote IT support?” Some businesses choose to hire people to run their IT systems, and they work only for your business. Others choose to outsource this part of the business and instead rely on off-site IT support. If you are unsure of which method to go with, and which one is best for your business, here are 3 things that you need to consider.

1) The Costs

The first thing you want to think about is the costs associated with IT support. For instance, if you want to go with an on-site solution, there is a lot that you need to pay for. You need to hire a new employee – which means paying their salary and benefits – and you need to have the right equipment for them to work with. You’ll also need to spend time looking through candidates and then training them to work with your specific systems.

On the other hand, you could outsource your IT solutions. Rather than spending money on a new employee, and all that goes with it, you could put a fraction of that cost towards working with an outside IT support company. For many businesses, this is the more affordable option, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right choice.

2) How Much IT Support You Need

The next thing you want to consider is how much IT support your business actually needs. Are you running just one computer, and you only occasionally need assistance when it isn’t working? In situations like this, it doesn’t really make sense to hire someone full-time to run your IT support in-house. On the other hand, if you are a large company that is constantly dealing with issues related to IT, or you want people on staff whose job is to improve the systems you already have in place, it might make more sense to hire someone full-time.

In the end, it’s not so much what you are spending, it’s whether or not you can justify the costs. No matter which method you go with, you want to feel like you are getting your money’s worth.

3) The Speed Of Assistance

Finally, you should think about how quickly you need to have your IT support able to respond. While off-site IT support is not slow, it isn’t as fast as someone who is already in the office. If you’re in the type of business where you need your systems up and running at all times, and even a small downtime is catastrophic, then perhaps having someone on staff is the safer route. Alternatively, if a problem with your IT is more of an inconvenience and only happens infrequently, then having someone on staff doesn’t make sense financially. In this instance, you could afford to wait just a little longer and work with an off-site IT support team instead.

Important To Analyze Your Business Before Deciding

There is no right answer when it comes to deciding between on-site or off-site IT support. It all depends on where your business is at, what your IT needs are, and what you can afford. Take some time to inspect your business closely, and you should discover what solution works best for you.