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WHY CIOS ARE CHOOSING TO OUTSOURCE LOCALLY

Localized technology outsourcing, sometimes referred to as co-managed IT solutions, is changing the way CIOs and enterprises think of IT outsourcing. By partnering with a local IT professional and their experienced technicians, outsourced technology is no longer just a way to cheapen labor costs. As many CIOs can attest, it is often difficult to get innovative, differentiated outcomes when you turn IT over to someone across the country, and especially across the world.

Beyond just the normal helpdesk or customer service concerns of traditional technology outsourcing, selecting a local company to assist with technology initiatives within an enterprise has gained popularity. Here’s a look at a few reasons why:

  • Diversifying Needs – Beyond traditional outsource models like IT helpdesk or offsite data centers, CIOs are looking for outside assistance from trusted technology experts that are local enough to make onsite strategy sessions and assist with infrastructure installations and hardware updates. Most importantly, they are able to have a deeper relationship with the enterprise than a legacy outsource model provides. This frees CIOs and their department to focus on IT solutions and department strategies.
  • Security Accountability – Particularly beneficial for technology in certain industries, local outsource companies can offer a level of security clearance and confidentiality that would be difficult to enforce in an offshore outsource setting. Working with a local organization, CIOs find that it is easier to ensure proper security of their confidential or proprietary data. The same can be said for the enforcing regulatory and compliance requirements.
  • Collaboration and Structural Flexibility – By using a company that is local, there is an elimination of issues related to timing and scheduling. The traditional outsource relationship often made collaboration difficult. A simple morning meeting for a CIO or IT manager would often be during a graveyard shift for their outsourced supervisor. Selecting a local outsource company would mean that your business hours are essentially the same.
  • Software as a Service and Cloud – The need for companies to have their own data centers continues to plummet with the rise of SaaS and Cloud Computing. This decline in house applications gives way to the possibility for other, more focused outsource opportunities. Adding on-site support or remote monitoring and maintenance, gives CIOs more time to focus on adding innovation.
  • Delegation Capabilities – An offshore or non-local company cannot swap out old hardware, or perform physical inspections of network equipment and infrastructure. CIO’s would still have to rely on their internal staff to perform these necessary, but tedious tasks, taking them away from larger IT initiatives and projects. Having the capabilities to outsource all of these tasks is only possible with a local outsourcing company.

CIO’s or IT managers that are looking to truly free up their staff to focus on business strategy, innovation and implementation of new technology, can only obtain this by outsourcing their IT locally. It’s the goal of localized, domestic outsourcing to take on many day-to-day IT tasks, such as routine maintenance, internal support, and employee training, by establishing a co-managed IT solution that works in concert with your internal IT team.

Is this a pain point of your enterprise? What are you doing to free up your time?

Ryan Lakin