A recent Forbes article stated that most companies’ IT departments spend their time being reactive, simply just trying to maintain their technology. As stated in the article by Dan H. Miller, CIO of Massage Envy Spa, “If too much time is spent “keeping the lights on,” the IT department is seen as a cost center, a non-innovator or even a roadblock due to its inability to deliver quickly.” Miller expresses IT needs to be proactive and innovative in creating new and effective ways to help the business grow. Sadly many businesses get stuck, as Miller states, “We became trapped in fire-fighting mode – reacting to every issue that came up to keep things up and running. This took time and effort away from longer term projects and quick wins for the department.” When an IT department is reacting to every issue, they become limited, there is no time to implement new and strategic plans that will grow and enhance the business.
In today’s growing world of technology, in order to be successful, IT departments must be foreseeing, always staying one step ahead, thinking of the new innovative ways to run, manage, and support the business. Unfortunately, all of the daily IT issues that occur take priority over any new strategic projects. In order for most businesses to obtain this proactive approach, they must free up their IT department. Miller states again, “To truly free myself and my team, outsourcing key functions of our infrastructure – particularly, the heavy maintenance items – was the best option.” Miller recognizes that in order to be the IT department that his company needs to grow, outsourcing aspects of IT is the only way to achieve this vision. Many businesses, especially SMBs do not realize this. Their IT departments become a problem instead of a solution.
Miller continues, “Above all else, outsourcing strategically within our organization has allowed IT to put our focus where it’s needed… An IT department truly shows its value when it takes a proactive approach to the business’ technology capabilities and can fully align with their customers.” With the way technology is advancing, the only way to keep up and maintain the growth of the business is to outsource aspects of IT. The benefits of doing so yield an IT department that has time to focus on innovative and strategic solutions that will drive the business. Outsourcing IT, especially the support and management of IT, will free up resources such as time and money, which can be put to better use for growing revenue. Overall, outsourcing will transform IT, helping it to be seen as the proactive, innovative, and strategic department that it should be.
Contact me to discuss the benefits of outsourcing IT.
E-mail me at Christopherm@consultcra.com.