Should You Hire IT Staff or Outsource?

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IT Outsourcing vs. Hiring Assessment

Answer 8 questions to discover the best IT solution for your business

Decision Framework: When to Outsource vs. Hire

Key factors to consider in your IT staffing decision

✓ Outsource IT When...

  • You have fewer than 50 employees
  • Your IT needs are variable or unpredictable
  • You need 24/7 coverage and expertise
  • You want predictable monthly costs
  • You need multiple skill sets (networking, security, cloud, etc.)
  • You're growing quickly and need scalability
  • You can't afford downtime when IT person is unavailable
  • Hiring budget is limited ($90K-$140K+ too high)

Consider Hiring When...

  • You have 100+ employees with stable IT needs
  • Your business has very specific, unique IT requirements
  • You need on-site presence 40+ hours/week
  • You have budget for $100K+ annually (salary + benefits + overhead)
  • You can handle turnover and 3-6 month hiring delays
  • You're willing to manage HR, benefits, and performance reviews
  • You have redundancy plan for when they're unavailable
  • One generalist can handle all your IT needs

The Hybrid Approach

Many businesses use managed IT services to supplement existing staff. Your IT person handles day-to-day tasks while managed IT provides after-hours support, specialized expertise, and backup coverage.

Discuss Hybrid Options

Common IT Staffing Scenarios & Solutions

Scenario 1: Startup (5-15 employees)

Challenge: Need professional IT but can't afford $90K+ salary

Solution: Fractional IT services (20-40 hours/month) for $2,000-4,000/month

Annual Savings: $60,000-$110,000

Scenario 2: Growing Business (25-50 employees)

Challenge: Current IT person is overwhelmed; considering second hire

Solution: Managed IT to supplement existing staff + specialized expertise

Benefit: Get team expertise without second $90K+ hire

Scenario 3: Established Business (50-75 employees)

Challenge: IT person quit; facing 4-6 month gap to hire replacement

Solution: Managed IT for immediate coverage + strategic guidance

Benefit: No gap in coverage; may decide not to hire at all

Scenario 4: Specialized Industry (Medical, Legal, etc.)

Challenge: Need HIPAA/compliance expertise single hire doesn't have

Solution: Managed IT with industry-specific compliance experts

Benefit: Certified compliance team without premium salary

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