It’s the middle of Tuesday night, and your organization’s primary server has failed. Critical documents are off-limits to your employees, no sales are made online since the website is down, and you are losing your profits as you wait for repairs. Who do you contact?
Many Oklahoma business owners have faced this same problem. The issue of how to address IT for their company often causes much sleeplessness among entrepreneurs in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, or Norman.
The decision to go with managed IT services or to build an in-house IT strategy is about staying worry-free, supporting your company’s growth, and ensuring its long-term success.
What Is the Difference Between Managed IT Services and In-House IT?
Think of managed IT services like having a team of technology experts on speed dial, except they’re already monitoring your systems before problems occur. Instead of hiring your own IT staff, you partner with a company that specializes in keeping businesses running smoothly. These outsourced IT services handle everything from preventing cyberattacks to ensuring your data stays backed up and secure.
In-house IT means building your own tech team from scratch. You hire IT professionals who come to your office every day, learn your specific systems inside and out, and become part of your company culture. They’re your people, handling your problems, on your timeline.
Pros and Cons of Managed IT Services
Let’s talk about what working with a managed service provider actually looks like in practice.
Benefits of Managed IT Services
You Get a Whole Team for Less Than One Salary: Instead of hiring one IT person who might be great at networks but struggles with cybersecurity, you get access to specialists in every area. Need someone who understands the latest ransomware threats? They’ve got you covered.
No More Surprise IT Bills: Remember when your old server died and you had to shell out thousands for emergency repairs? With managed services, you pay the same amount every month, and most surprise expenses disappear. You can actually budget for your IT costs instead of crossing your fingers.
Problems Get Fixed Before You Know They Exist: Modern IT solutions include monitoring tools that watch your systems around the clock. Your managed service provider often knows about potential issues before they cause real problems.
Your Business Can Grow Without IT Headaches: Adding new employees? Need more storage? Managed IT services scale as your needs change. No more scrambling to hire new IT staff when business is booming.
Someone’s Always Available: Server crashes don’t follow business hours, and neither do good managed service providers. Having 24/7 support means you’re never truly alone when technology problems strike.
Cons of Managed IT Services
You’re Not Calling All the Shots: Some business owners struggle with not directly managing their IT operations. When you need changes made, you’re asking another company to make them, which can feel like you’re not in complete control.
Your Success Depends on Their Success: If your managed service provider has problems, you might feel the impact too. Choosing the right partner becomes crucial because your business operations are tied to their performance.
Communication Can Get Tricky: Since your IT support comes from outside your company, there might be times when they don’t fully understand your business processes or culture.
Pros and Cons of In-House IT Teams
Building your own IT team is like having your own personal technology department. Here’s what that really means for your business.
Advantages of In-House IT
They’re Your People: When you hire internal IT staff, they become part of your company culture. They understand your business goals, know your employees personally, and can make decisions that align perfectly with your company’s values.
Instant Help When You Need It: Got a problem? Your IT person is probably just down the hall. There’s something reassuring about having someone physically present who can immediately tackle whatever technology issues arise.
They Know Your Business Inside and Out: After working with your specific systems for months or years, your internal team becomes incredibly efficient at solving problems. They know which printer always jams and exactly how your business operates.
You Build Your Own Expertise: Having an in-house team means you’re developing technology knowledge that stays with your company. This internal expertise becomes valuable over time.
Challenges of In-House IT
The Costs Add Up Quickly: Beyond salaries, you’re looking at benefits, training, equipment, software licenses, and ongoing education. These expenses can multiply faster than many business owners expect.
One Person Can’t Know Everything: Today’s technology landscape is incredibly complex. Your IT person might be excellent at fixing computers but struggle with advanced cybersecurity or cloud management.
What Happens When They’re Sick or Leave?: If your IT person takes vacation or finds a new job, your business can be left vulnerable. Building redundancy into a small IT team is expensive and challenging.
Keeping Up Is Exhausting: Technology changes constantly, and keeping your team current requires ongoing training, certifications, and time away from their regular duties.
IT Staffing Considerations for Oklahoma Businesses
Here’s something many Oklahoma business owners don’t realize: our state’s growing tech sector has created serious competition for IT talent. Companies like Boeing, Devon Energy, and expanding healthcare systems are all competing for the same pool of qualified IT professionals.
This demand drives up salaries and increases employee turnover. Small businesses in Oklahoma often find themselves struggling to recruit and retain experienced IT professionals.
How to Choose the Right IT Solutions for Your Business
Making this decision doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are some practical questions to ask yourself:
What’s Your Comfort Level With Risk?: If the thought of your IT systems going down keeps you up at night, managed services might give you more peace of mind. If you prefer having direct control over everything, an in-house team might be worth the extra investment.
How Complex Is Your Technology?: If you’re running standard business software and need typical IT support, managed services can probably handle everything you need. If you’re in a specialized industry with unique requirements, you might benefit from dedicated internal expertise.
Where Is Your Business Headed?: Planning to double in size over the next few years? Managed services scale more easily. Expecting steady, predictable growth? An in-house team might provide the stability you want.
Business IT Solutions: Finding the Right Balance
Here’s a secret that many successful Oklahoma businesses have discovered: you don’t have to choose just one approach. Some companies hire a small internal team to handle day-to-day issues while partnering with managed service providers for specialized services like cybersecurity monitoring.
This hybrid approach lets you maintain some direct control while accessing expertise and resources that would be too expensive to build internally. It’s becoming increasingly popular among mid-sized businesses that have outgrown simple solutions but aren’t ready for enterprise-level IT departments.
Making the Decision for Your Oklahoma Business
At the end of the day, this decision comes down to what makes sense for your specific situation. There’s no universally right answer, but there is a right answer for your business.
Consider starting with an honest assessment of where you are right now. How much are you currently spending on IT? What problems do you face regularly? What keeps you awake at night worrying about technology issues?
Then think about where you want to be in three to five years. Will your current approach get you there, or do you need to make changes now to support your growth goals?
Conclusion
Choosing between managed IT services Oklahoma providers offer and building your own internal IT team is one of those decisions that can significantly impact your business’s future. Both approaches have helped countless businesses succeed, but success depends on choosing the right fit for your unique circumstances.
Managed services work well for businesses that want predictable costs, access to specialized expertise, and the ability to focus on their core operations. In-house teams work well for businesses that need direct control, have unique requirements, or have the budget to build comprehensive internal capabilities.
The most important thing is making a decision based on your actual needs, not what you think you should do or what worked for another business. Your company is unique, and your IT approach should reflect that uniqueness.
Ready to Optimize Your IT Strategy?
Deciding between managed IT services and building an internal team doesn’t have to be a lonely decision. Many Oklahoma business owners find it helpful to talk through their options with someone who understands both approaches.
Whether you’re leaning toward managed services, considering an in-house team, or exploring a hybrid IT services model, getting professional input can help you avoid costly mistakes and make a decision you’ll be confident about for years to come.
Contact us today for a straightforward conversation about your IT needs. We’ll help you cut through the confusion and develop a strategy that makes sense for your business, your budget, and your goals.
