Understanding Business IT Support Services
Business IT support services was not popular during the initial phases of outsourcing. As companies outsourced their IT maintenance projects, they started to scout for a third-party service provider to handle ‘Business IT support’. Companies realised the invaluable benefits of IT outsourcing and hence decided to outsource other activities in addition to IT maintenance. Thus IT suppliers specialised in offering exclusive ‘Business IT support’.
Some of the benefits of outsourcing ‘Business IT support’ are cost-saving and availing specialist expertise. For instance if a company is in need of Business IT support services in London, a IT supplier can provide support from any part of the globe through a centralized help desk. Hence the company gets the same benefit of availing the service of an IT support company in London and at a much reduced price. Formerly, if the organisation was not able to find an IT support services provider in UK, their options would have been limited. Alternatively, they may have to find an IT supplier elsewhere and pay for their travels and consulting to avail ‘Business IT support’.
The engagement model is a challenge. Companies still adopt the conventional outsourcing model. It is worth to explore a non-conventional model like co-sourcing. This helps companies to retain business control. However, many companies still work with an IT supplier on the basis of outsourcing mode of engagement. Since, this does not yield the necessary results, ‘Business IT support’ is perceived to be a poor service.
‘Business IT support’ is offered across the spectrum of activities including IT consulting and IT Managed Services. In addition to specialist IT suppliers, Consulting companies and System integrators also offer this service. Consulting companies and System integrators lack the niche expertise and moreover they charge a hefty fee. Individual consultants also offer this service, but may not be able to cater to the needs of large organisations. Therefore, an IT supplier who offers co-sourcing mode of engagement is the ideal choice.
Some of the benefits of outsourcing ‘Business IT support’ are cost-saving and availing specialist expertise. For instance if a company is in need of Business IT support services in London, a IT supplier can provide support from any part of the globe through a centralized help desk. Hence the company gets the same benefit of availing the service of an IT support company in London and at a much reduced price. Formerly, if the organisation was not able to find an IT support services provider in UK, their options would have been limited. Alternatively, they may have to find an IT supplier elsewhere and pay for their travels and consulting to avail ‘Business IT support’.
The engagement model is a challenge. Companies still adopt the conventional outsourcing model. It is worth to explore a non-conventional model like co-sourcing. This helps companies to retain business control. However, many companies still work with an IT supplier on the basis of outsourcing mode of engagement. Since, this does not yield the necessary results, ‘Business IT support’ is perceived to be a poor service.
‘Business IT support’ is offered across the spectrum of activities including IT consulting and IT Managed Services. In addition to specialist IT suppliers, Consulting companies and System integrators also offer this service. Consulting companies and System integrators lack the niche expertise and moreover they charge a hefty fee. Individual consultants also offer this service, but may not be able to cater to the needs of large organisations. Therefore, an IT supplier who offers co-sourcing mode of engagement is the ideal choice.