A challenge facing business owners today is the implementation of adequate IT support and follow up maintenance. Another factor to consider is whether to outsource or hire an in-house IT technician. Managed IT Services for small business is a recent phenomenon and a viable alternative. While it is evident that cost varies from country to country and depend on the level of services you require, a few rough estimates and average pricing for IT related services can be summarised.
How much does an In-House Tech cost?
If you decide to go for a full-time employee to deal with your IT services you can expect to pay a salary of anything between €40,000 and €65,000. The latter is for more experienced technicians, and the average pay is around €45,000. The cost includes salaries, bonuses and profit sharing schemes. However, they exclude fringe benefits and perks. Also, you will need to cater for sick leave, payroll tax and holiday leave which may amount to an additional €10,000. Of course, if you choose to go down this road, you need to purchase an adequate IT Management System application. The cost of such a system could be in the €1,000 range, and you will also need to train employees to use the new system which adds more costs in lost time for employees. The cost is also dependant on the number of users and workstations.
Is Outsourcing a costly solution?
For small business owners outsourcing may be the most cost-effective option. You avoid having to pay a full-timer a salary and save on training your employees. With most service providers charging an hourly rate, this type of IT support can be extremely cost-effective. You are actually purchasing expert knowledge and know how. The visiting techs bring with them all the resources and if necessary even a backup team to support them, and this makes it easy to budget and forecast future expenses.
How does Outsourcing work?
The process starts with a system evaluation and recommendations from the IT support team you engage. An objective assessment at the outset is vital to determine the exact level of service and cost of the endeavour. A serious IT service provider will not inflate prices by providing unnecessary services but offer an honest evaluation. They will also make recommendations for work they will perform to meet your unique needs and only tasks you request of them. This kind of service is hands-on, with a real person in place to answer all your questions. Costs are difficult to predict precisely as they entirely depend on several factors such as the age and number of servers, along with the number of desktops in use. For average small businesses, this option offers enormous savings over hiring a full-time, in-house IT technician. Furthermore, you can purchase blocks of hours as required.
What about Managed IT Support Services?
Managed IT Support Services have become cost-effective and viable options for businesses. Remote monitoring is a reality and can provide 24/7, 365 coverage and support. You can purchase proactive monitoring along with server maintenance, desktop PCs, and also remote machines. This service is typically available for a flat monthly fee and is a low-cost option which can start with managed antivirus protection, later adding email monitoring for spam, archiving, desktop PC and mobile device monitoring. You can also add data backup and other related services at a later date, minimising the costs at the outset. A flat rate subscription makes it easy to plan and budget, eliminating any costly and unexpected surprises. This kind of IT support is fully automated and never rests, continually monitoring, maintaining and protecting your valuable information system. The monthly cost for Managed IT services for small businesses ranges from $300 to $2,000 a month for 24/7 protection of your IT system, workstations and data.
If you want an obligation free quotation, please contact us for a meeting, and we will recommend the best and most cost-effective system for your business.
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