As your business grows, so do your IT needs. Whether you're a manufacturer, retailer, accountant, solicitor, or anything in between, you'll eventually ask: Wouldn't having someone on-site give me more control and cost savings?
Not quite.
For most companies, especially those with less than 250 employees in sectors across the board, building an internal IT department is often more hassle and cost than it's worth. Here's why outsourcing your IT support is usually the smarter move.
The Hidden Cost of In-House IT
Hiring staff is expensive - and not just in terms of salary. Once you factor in benefits, training, recruitment, and tools, the trust cost adds up fast. And for small-to-medium sized businesses, you're likely hiring just one or two people.
But here's the problem:
- One IT person can't know everything. Cyber security, cloud platforms, networking, backups, compliance... it's too much for one person to master.
- They can't work 24/7. What happens when they're sick or on holiday and a server goes down? Or it's two in the morning and you need it fixed before your business day starts?
- They might leave and when they do, they take their knowledge with them.
Why Outsourcing IT Works Better
Partnering with a trusted (and preferably local) IT provider means you get a full team of specialists, for less than the cost of hiring in-house. Here's what you gain:
Broader Expertise
Outsourced IT providers have specialists in everything from backups to security. Whether you need helpdesk support or strategic advice, the right expert is always on hand, no need to upskill or recruit.
24/7 Monitoring and Support
(And in Apex's case, 365 days a year too!)
Your IT provider doesn't sleep, so your systems stay protected and maintained around the clock. That's peace of mind you'll never be able to get from a one-person in-house IT department.
Predictable, Scalable Costs
Instead of surprise expenses or expensive hires, you get a fixed monthly fee that covers everything - from proactive monitoring to onsite support. As you grow, your service scales with you.
Fewer Distractions
You and your team can focus on what matters: delivering projects, servicing clients, and growing your business, without being pulled into IT firefighting.
Strategic Technology Guidance
The best IT partners don't just fix problems, they help you plan ahead. Whether it's cloud strategy, security improvements, or disaster recovery, they guide you through what's next, not just what's broken.
"But I've had an IT provider before..."
Finding the right IT provider is like shopping for a new car, you need to find the one that has all the specs you need, will be reliable based on what you need it for, and is the right fit for you. If you've experienced slow response times, poor communication, or recurring issues, that's not the right provider for you.
A great IT partner will:
- Be responsive and friendly
- Understand your industry
- Proactively solve problems
- Be equipped and dedicated to a business of your size
- Keep your systems running smoothly
- Communicate in jargon-free, plain English
Think of them as your off-site IT department, not a vendor, but a true extension of your business.
Sector-Specific Smarts
At Apex, we understand that different industries, as well as different sizes of businesses, have different IT needs. The right outsourcing partner will tailor their support accordingly. For example:
- Manufacturing businesses may want to focus on an IT provider who specialises in robust network infrastructure, uptime during production, and secure file sharing
- Retail businesses may want to find an IT partner who has experience in fast, secure systems, WiFi support, and cyber security for their data
- Legal and Accountancy firms may want to partner with an IT provider who specialises in data compliance, document management, and reliable remote access and virtual environments, as well as cyber security and accreditations
- Construction businesses may want an It partner who has extensive experience in on-site connectivity, mobile workforce tools, and data security
Focus on What You Do Best
At the end of the day, you didn't start your business to manage or troubleshoot printers or PCs.
Outsourcing IT lets you hand that responsibility over to a dedicated team, giving you the tools, support, and confidence to scale your business without distraction and mitigated risk.
Don't sink time and money into building an IT department from scratch before considering whether an outsourced IT provider would be a better option for you in the long term, and strategically.