The challenges of an IT department and why managed services could offer a solution

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With more expectations being put on IT organizations, IT organizations need to find capacity to change. Employing managed services could help with this transition.

The Growing Pressure on IT Teams

Companies must keep their IT stable while simultaneously meeting ever-higher customer expectations. But simply maintaining stability is no longer enough: digitalization is challenging companies across all sectors to use technology as a competitive advantage. Where IT was once seen mainly as support, it is now essential for innovation and growth. IT needs to drive technology forward and innovate faster than ever.

For smaller and established companies, this is not always easy. How do IT organizations find the time and resources to make this change? Alongside high IT costs, there is often a lack of capacity for necessary improvements. IT provides not only stability but also valuable insights for business decisions, automates processes, and helps reach new markets.

In-House vs Managed Services

A crucial question for many companies is whether to handle IT entirely in-house. Smaller IT teams, in particular, face enormous challenges and often struggle to have all the required knowledge. Where outsourcing was once primarily about cost savings, it has now become a smart way to shift focus. For instance, by outsourcing application maintenance, the IT team gains the space to innovate and make improvements that further the organization. This allows the IT team to focus on projects that add value without being bogged down in daily maintenance.

For many companies, outsourcing is a logical solution in this complex environment. Small teams may not always have all the expertise required to maintain modern technologies. As a result, more companies are opting for Platform as a Service (PaaS) or switching to cloud solutions. This enables IT teams to take a forward-looking approach and act as true business partners rather than merely providing operational support.

Immediate benefits of Managed Services

Many IT systems are outdated, and with staff turnover and high pressure, maintenance is often a challenge. The more customized applications a company has, the harder it is to keep them updated. Managed services can make a difference here. When a company hires an external party for IT management, it often brings immediate benefits. For instance, during the provider’s onboarding, insights into processes arise, often leading to improvement and standardization opportunities. Additionally, the managed services provider can help optimize the code and logic in applications. The organization immediately benefits from this: systems become more stable, disruptions decrease, and transitions to new environments become easier. This gives the IT team the space to focus on innovations that move the company forward.

Bart Dix Managing Partner

Bart Dix

Managing Partner