These days, the vast majority of small businesses use outsourcing — 90%, according to a recent survey. IT services are the most commonly outsourced business need. With the rise of e-commerce opportunities and cybersecurity risks, small business IT outsourcing just makes sense. What kinds of IT services can you — and should you — outsource to professionals?
Essential Small Business IT Outsourcing Services
Our list has recommendations for solopreneurs, small teams, and companies with hundreds of workers.
1. IT Strategy and System Mapping
Technology can provide incredible improvements for your small business operations, from helping your remote work team get more done to making inventory tracking easier. A good IT strategy identifies ways for your business to take advantage of powerful tools.
IT consultants examine your current operations and recommend technology solutions that offer better, faster, and more user-friendly results. Think of IT strategy like a map: you point to the destination, and our team charts the route to get you there.
Another IT essential for small businesses is system mapping. You need to know what your current network assets and vulnerabilities are before you can protect them effectively. System mapping looks at:
- Data storage systems
- Software platforms
- Websites
- Firewalls
- Hardware and system devices, including mobile devices
2. Network Security / Business Cybersecurity
Cyberattacks don’t just affect Fortune 500 companies. Nearly 75% of small businesses experience cyberattacks, ransomware attacks, or data theft.
Hiring a network security team is one of the best investments you can make. Here are some ways small business IT outsourcing improves your cybersecurity:
- Helping you choose, install, configure, and update network firewalls to protect your system
- Setting up encryption technology for data storage, safeguarding sensitive business data, financial records, payment card information, and client info
- Managing updates for all network devices so you have the latest security patches
- Designing a mobile device management policy that keeps employees productive but avoids dangerous security vulnerabilities
- Creating data backup and disaster recovery plans for your critical information
- Recommending trustworthy antivirus solutions for malware and ransomware
There’s no substitute for expertise when it comes to cybersecurity. Don’t risk your livelihood with subpar protection.
3. SaaS Integrations
Software-as-a-service platforms make running your business easier, which is why Shopify is so popular. You may already use SaaS tools to manage sales, track customers and leads, or balance your finances. Software can even help with precise manufacturing tasks.
Unfortunately, SaaS apps rarely play nice with each other. If you’ve ever experienced the headache of switching between multiple applications for basic business tasks, you know what we mean.
Skilled IT professionals can turn separate tools into an all-in-one business management solution that’s perfect for your company. Want wholesale pricing on your eCommerce store? Consider it done.
4. Security & Compliance Consulting
Regulatory compliance can be a sticky subject for SBOs. A growing number of industries, organizations, and customers expect you to follow detailed data security guidelines:
- PCI DSS for credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payments
- NIST CSF for cybersecurity best practices
- HIPAA for organizations that handle protected health information
- CIS Controls prioritizing security best practices to mitigate the most prevalent cyberattacks against your systems and networks
You can’t afford to risk customers and valuable contracts because of mistakes; IT compliance management services help you design, implement, and track compliance for your entire business — even if you have remote workers or 250+ employees.
5. Automated IT Workflows
IT professionals can set up automation tools to make IT processes more manageable and cut down on the stakes. Automated workflows streamline time-consuming tasks such as:
- Technology reporting
- New hire and termination processes
- Recurring customer issues
One specific use case of an automated IT workflow that could benefit you is new user onboarding. Automating tasks such as creating user accounts across multiple platforms, applying necessary licenses, and setting up end-user workstations ensures a smooth and efficient onboarding experience. This not only saves time and resources but also minimizes the risk of human error, ultimately enhancing overall productivity and security.
6. Tech Support
Why hire a full-time tech to sit around the office when you can get flexible support with cloud-based small business IT outsourcing? For minor issues, our remote tech support helps your staff over the phone or via video chat. For complex issues or hardware problems, we visit your location and provide prompt repairs. This flexible option can save you lots of money and deliver excellent results.
Does Your Business Need Managed IT Services?
It makes sense to weigh the pros and cons of IT outsourcing for small businesses versus building an in-house team. Focus on these factors:
- Network complexity: Do you have a small office or many devices and employee work locations?
- Costs: Will you really save money hiring full-time staff instead of outsourcing IT?
- Time: Is your schedule too busy to consistently handle security updates, anti-malware subscriptions, and firewall settings?
- Compliance: Do you have the necessary experience with data security compliance for your industry?
Many SBOs end up pleasantly surprised when small business IT outsourcing saves them money instead of costing more.
Benefits of Outsourcing SMB IT Services to CIO Tech
We provide all the IT services small businesses need. Outsourcing your IT to our friendly team offers significant benefits:
- Better data security and breach prevention
- Expert assistance and friendly guidance
- Cloud-based tools for disaster mitigation
- Less anxiety about malware attacks
- Cutting-edge software solutions
Stay current with the latest technology and cybersecurity advances without worrying about hiring, training, or managing tech staff.
All the IT Services Small Businesses Need
At CIO Tech, we’re experts in IT, but our team is also approachable and affordable. With our managed IT services for small businesses, you don’t have to worry about headaches from hardware problems, vulnerabilities from missed software updates, helpdesks on another continent, website crashes, or other common IT issues. We handle everything with a smile. Contact us to see why our small business IT outsourcing is so popular.
