As technology continues to drive evolution and innovation in the enterprise space, small businesses and medium-sized businesses in San Francisco have come to recognize the power of information technology to drive increased productivity and growth. However, most of these businesses don't have the resources to hire a full-time IT advisor.
This is where outsourced IT advisory services come in. With an outsourced IT advisor, small businesses gain access to a C-level executive without keeping them on their payroll.
Before we dive into the benefits of working with an outsourced IT advisor in San Francisco, let's make sure we understand clearly what services they offer. Simply put, an IT advisor is responsible for managing an organization's IT system and functions– with a specific focus on the big picture.
They react to changing trends and address unanticipated issues that may threaten productivity or profitability to ensure that enterprise IT is positioned strategically and in a way that supports larger business missions. An outsourced IT advisor provides these services for a fixed monthly rate, which helps businesses avoid the enormous expense of paying a salaried employee.
An outsourced IT advisor thinks beyond technical needs and considers the company's needs as a whole from a strategic business perspective. Outsourcing an IT advisor means bringing a senior leader to the executive table who acts as an extension of your team. It's a critical step for small businesses ready to move to the next level of technology integration for business success. Here are the benefits businesses stand to gain by having an outsourced IT advisor in San Francisco.
1. Independent Leadership
This is perhaps one of the most significant benefits of having an outsourced IT advisor in San Francisco. Whether your needs involve assessing a current IT infrastructure, solving a pain point, or implementing automation within your organization, sometimes your internal executives can be too close to things to view them objectively.
Bringing in an outsourced IT advisor from an independent firm ensures that any recommendations, guidance, and advice received are always coming from a place of objectivity and in the company's best interest. There's no pressure to recommend a hardware or software product, specific system, or vendor, which allows the outsourced IT advisor to carefully vet those options and make decisions that best serve the company.
2. Help Your Business Save Money
Hiring an outsourced IT advisor in San Francisco is almost always a less expensive option than hiring a full-time, in-house one. Not only is there a cost-saving in terms of salary, but an outsourced IT advisor does not require benefits or even office space. You also don't incur other typical hiring, on-boarding, and training expenses, saving you a considerable amount of money that you can channel to your core business functions. What's more, an outsourced IT advisor can be scheduled on a recurring basis or as needed at a fraction of what a full-time executive would cost.
Beyond that, one of the roles of an outsourced IT advisor is to make sure your IT infrastructure is positioned to support maximum cost-efficiency. They can assess outside vendors, renegotiate contracts and even make necessary changes to recoup costs, lower operating costs, and uncover significant savings. Your outsourced IT advisor is your resource to keep costs under budget and provide the technology your business needs.
3. Access to a Wide Range of Skills and Expertise
Your in-house IT team probably doesn't have the kind of high-level experience or big-picture expertise that an outsourced IT advisor would bring to the table. These professionals have a wealth of experience gained from working with different organizations in different industries, where there are opportunities to learn from experience.
This allows them to develop innovative solutions that your internal team maybe haven't thought of yet. Using outsourced IT advisory services, you get access to professionals who have the skills and expertise to handle vital roles such as IT budgeting, resourcing, security, and disaster recovery with confidence and assurance.
4. All the IT Help You Need
In a full-time role, an IT advisor is usually responsible for planning the high-level aspects of a company's technological infrastructure, from software to security and beyond. The company then typically also has a multiple-person IT team responsible for more on-the-ground stuff, like updating software and generally making sure everything is running smoothly.
However, most San Francisco small businesses don't have a big enough IT budget that allows the hiring of any IT staff as well. Luckily, most outsourced IT advisory companies also handle the lower-level responsibilities usually taken on by the IT team—from supporting your company's networks to troubleshooting issues with your website, allowing you to make the most of your IT budget.
5. Stronger IT Security Strategy
As a small business owner or manager, it can be challenging to determine which technology strategies are best for your business. It's easy to get excited about the latest technology meant to improve operations, but not all good ideas are good for you. In most cases, you may end up going with an IT strategy that is more reactive than proactive.
An outsourced IT advisor can help ensure your IT strategy is proactive, reliable, and aligned to your business goals. They are experts in industry trends, outcome alignment, and strategic planning and prioritization. Your outsourced IT advisor will spend time learning about your business and culture while evaluating opportunities, risks, and gaps, then use the insights gained to develop an IT roadmap that is prioritized and sequenced to address short and long-term business goals.
When it's time to add an IT advisor to your company, outsourcing the role is a strategic move that comes with many benefits. At On Time Tech, we offer small businesses in San Francisco the opportunity to work with experienced IT advisors. We can help you make strategic IT decisions that align technology with your organization's objectives and pave the path to business success.
With On Time Tech, you have an outsourced IT advisor who understands your business needs and can confidently implement technology solutions to fulfil your business objectives, increase your competitiveness and drive your business forward. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how an outsourced IT advisor in San Fransisco can help you meet your goals.