When is the time to consider hiring IT services?

IT services constitute a crucial component for the operation and growth of organizations in today's digital age. These services encompass the application of technical and business knowledge to facilitate the creation, management and optimization of information and business processes.

The IT services market is characterized by a variety of skills and categories, including design, construction and execution, as well as business process, application and infrastructure services. Outsourcing these services offers organizations the opportunity to access specialized expertise and additional resources to meet their technology and business needs.

We will explore when is the right time to consider purchasing IT services and how they can benefit businesses in their quest for efficiency, security and competitiveness in today's market.

What do IT services consist of?

“IT services are services used by organizations to create, manage and deliver information, as well as assist with other business functions. Services include consulting, software development, systems integration, as well as hardware implementation and education. Taken together, the broader IT services market is made up of several segments, including outsourcing, managed services, security services, data management and cloud computing”, explained Statista in one of its more recent reports on the area.

Investment in IT services has grown in recent years and will continue to do so in the future, according to Statista projections: In 2020, investment in IT services was $1.07 billion and in 2024, this investment is expected to rise to $1,501 million.

The lack of qualified personnel in IT services continues to be a problem

As technology advances and companies increasingly innovate in their processes and flows, the lack of experienced personnel to address the challenges that reality presents to businesses becomes more noticeable. And this includes the area of IT services.

The MIT Technology Review conducted a survey of various technology leaders, in which 64% said that candidates for their IT vacancies lacked the skills or experiences necessary for the position. And another 56% showed general concern about the shortage of high-value and experienced candidates.

It is also an issue that was analyzed in a report by the Gartner firm: There, 64% of the IT executives interviewed confessed that talent shortage is the most important impediment when adopting emerging technologies.

“Talent availability is cited as a primary factor inhibiting adoption among the six technology domains included in the survey: IT infrastructure and platform services, networking, security, digital workplace, IT automation and storage, and database", they stated in the document.

When is it time to hire IT services?

It is crucial not to let a shortage of IT services talent hinder the progress of your business. Fortunately, there are numerous IT outsourcing companies that offer high-quality, budget-friendly services.

However, before considering outsourcing IT services, it is essential to evaluate several key aspects, as it will help you determine the right time to look for external IT services and make the most of the opportunities they offer.

• Assess business needs

The first step in determining when is the right time to hire IT services is to evaluate the specific needs of the company. This involves considering various factors, such as the size and scale of the operation, short- and long-term business objectives, as well as internal budget and resource constraints.

If a company is experiencing significant growth or plans to expand its operations, it will likely need to improve or update its technological infrastructure to meet additional demands. In such cases, it may be beneficial to consider outsourcing IT services to provide the expertise and resources needed to implement scalable and efficient solutions.

• Do you need to optimize operations? It's time for IT services

Another key time to consider hiring IT services is when a company faces challenges in terms of operational efficiency and productivity. This can manifest itself in the form of outdated or inefficient processes, data security issues, or difficulties keeping up with the latest technologies and market trends.

By leveraging IT services, a business can gain access to subject matter experts who can identify areas of improvement and recommend customized solutions designed to optimize operational efficiency and improve overall business performance.

Also, ask the IT service provider how long they have been offering this service, so you can determine their range of action and experience.

“There are many reasons why choosing an experienced IT company is a wise decision. For example, it ensures that you use the right technologies or strategies to manage your business. This is true because such a company will likely have experienced significant technological changes over time. Therefore, they can advise on the right tools to install in your business system to increase efficiency”, they explained in Enterprise World magazine.

• Help with risk management and data security

Data security is a growing concern for businesses across all sectors, especially in a landscape where cyber threats are constantly evolving and becoming more sophisticated. If a company lacks the internal resources necessary to implement and maintain a solid cybersecurity strategy, it may be time to consider hiring IT services specialized in this area.

IT services can help a company identify potential vulnerabilities, implement proactive security measures, and respond effectively to potential security incidents. This not only helps protect the company's and its customers' confidential data, but also reduces the risk of costly and damaging disruptions to business operations.

“Cloud security was expected to grow almost 25 percent between 2023 and 2024, which would make it the fastest growing segment in the IT security market, largely due to growing demand for solutions in the cloud as an increasing number of companies migrate to the cloud”, they noted on the subject in a Statista report, which shows the importance of the security area when we talk about contracting IT services.

Ultimately, there is no “perfect” time to consider hiring IT services, as each business faces unique circumstances and challenges. However, by assessing business needs, optimizing operational efficiency, and managing data security risks, a company can determine when the time is right to seek outside information technology assistance. By doing so, you can position yourself more strongly to meet current and future market challenges, and make the most of opportunities for business growth and success.

Do you need a team to help you optimize your IT services processes? At Rootstack, we have +14 years of experience supporting companies in their digital transformation. Contact us.

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