When You Should Outsource Your Business IT ?
July 28, 2022
Have you been thinking it’s time to add IT to your team of employees?
You can choose to outsource an IT service for your business. You can also choose to hire an internal resource for IT instead. How do you determine which and when? Let’s break it down to determine the right choice and timeline for you.
When you use a manages service provider like Seifert Technologies, you have access to an entire team of professionals to meet your IT service needs. Understanding your needs is the first step in determining if your business is a good fit for outsourcing your IT services. Here are some of the things that you should consider as a business owner.
The Cost Breakdown
Internal IT Resource Cost Breakdown
- Recruitment and Hiring- Potential costs when finding or hiring new employees. Things like advertisement fees, background checks, skills tests, and paperwork administration. This also can relate to hiring wages and offering competitive wages. In a local setting, competitive pay ensures you the best chance of securing the best fit employee. If you're looking to hire an IT person, you most likely want the best fit for the job.
- Onboarding- "HR professionals state that onboarding should take at least 3 months In the case of full-time employees." Onsite employees need more orientation and training. This period will allow them to learn your company and the ropes. The longer the onboarding period, the more expensive it will cost. The longer onboarding occurs, the better the employee will understand your company.
- Office Supplies and Benefits- Supplies can include computers, phones, and computer software. It can even include things like more office furniture if needed. You are responsible for providing space and materials for inhouse employees. You should budget allocated pay toward sick days and vacation days. Benefits can include insurance, retirement, and or pension. These things are also required for full-time employees.
Outsourced IT Service Cost Breakdown
- MSP Value- When it comes to Managed Service Providers, cost equals quality. The more money you put into finding and hiring a trustworthy MSP, the higher quality their work will be. This has been the experience of other employers anyway. You will reap the benefits of an expensive MSP, which could make you more money later on.
- Onboarding- "While working with outsourced developers you only need from a few days up to 1 week to onboard them.” Outsourced IT service providers will need less onboarding than internal hires. They won’t need to learn info about your company outside of the project they’re hired for. They won’t need to learn the ropes. This means IT outsourced onboarding will be cheaper.
- Surprise Costs- As before mentioned, if you choose an unreliable MSP, you may be losing money in the long run. Cheaper costs upfront are not always the right choice. Think about long term goals when choosing where to spend money. You also need to pay attention to what the contract with an outsourced provider covers. Sometimes there are things that aren't in the contract that classify as extra charges or fees. These things will also lead you to spending more money in the long run as opposed to initial cost.
The Size of Your Company Matters
You will know it’s time to hire full-time IT when your business begins growing and your employee count is up. “If you have less than 25 employees, you rarely need an in-house IT person.” When you reach around 100 employees you should consider an in-house IT person. Your needs depend on the team you have already equipped. A team between 75-100 employees offers enough to keep your IT person busy. This ensures your money is being used well.
Hiring an IT person before your business is big enough can cause more harm than good. Just think about the additional costs of internal employees. As a business, you have to consider vacation, benefits, sick time and the costs of expertise on implementing technology, monitoring, server maintenance, and cyber security. Often, outsourcing your IT provides
Focus on Your IT Support Needs
Do You Need Someone Onsite to Work on Immediate Issues Often?
If you answered yes, you should consider hiring a full-time internal IT employee. Outsourced IT services will take longer to reach you when you have onsite issues if they can even reach you at all. This is not always possible with remote outsourced IT services. If this happens often, it may be better to have someone onsite all the time to solve problems.
If you answered no, you could consider a hybrid support option. This means having both a full-time IT person and an outsourced IT vendor. This is the most expensive option, but it is also the best option for the quality of your IT support. You get to use the pros of each option to your advantage. Like hiring a full-time IT person, this option won’t make sense until your company is large enough to do so.
Do You Have Tech Savvy Employees?
Tech Savvy employees will be more comfortable with an outsourced provider. This is because they will know how to interact with the outsourced provider online. Those bad with technology would do better with an internal IT person. This is because they won't get confused trying to navigate virtual communication. You may need onsite IT people even sooner than numbers say if your employees are bad with technology.
Do You Have and or Use Legacy Systems?
If you have or use custom systems, an internal full-time IT person is crucial. A full-time IT person will learn the custom system quicker being onsite. They will have more time to perfect the ins and outs of the systems. They are also much more willing to learn. Some outsourced providers will choose not to learn your custom systems. If you're putting time, effort, and money into a custom system, the internal IT person should get to know it. They should learn how to use it completely and well.
To Conclude
Before deciding on a full-time internal IT resource or outsourced IT, look at your company. Make sure you're ready to take that step. Look at your employee count and your support needs. Look at how good your employees are with technology and check your finances. After you're ready to take that next step, look at the pros and cons of internal vs. outsourced IT. Notice where your business is at and decide which choice is best for you. Seifert Technologies IT Service is here to help. Contact us today to get a jumpstart on making the right decision!
AI isn’t just a buzzword anymore, and it’s not just for Fortune 500 companies. It’s quietly reshaping how businesses—especially small and mid-sized ones—manage their IT, protect their data, and improve productivity. Yet for many business owners, AI still feels like something out of reach. Maybe you’ve heard of ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot, but you’re not quite sure how it fits into your world. That’s where we come in! We’re breaking down what AI means for your IT operations today—and how Managed IT Service Providers (MSPs) like us are helping businesses like yours get ahead without getting overwhelmed. What AI Is Doing for IT Management at SMBs (Right Now) From cybersecurity to automation, AI is already making IT faster, smarter, and more secure. Here’s how: 1. AI-Powered Cybersecurity AI tools are becoming essential to detect and stop threats to your business before they become disasters. 24/7 threat detection : Tools like SentinelOne and Microsoft Defender use AI to monitor your systems in real-time and spot suspicious activity—even before a human could. Phishing protection : AI analyzes emails and links to catch impersonation attempts and scam messages. Automated response : If a threat is detected, AI tools can automatically isolate infected systems and prevent spread—within seconds. This is key, pairing your 24/7/365 threat detection with 24/7/365 action! 2. Smarter IT Automation AI isn’t just about fighting cybercrime—it’s helping businesses save time, reduce manual work, and operate more efficiently. Here are some examples of how AI is automating key IT functions behind the scenes: Predictive maintenance : AI can flag hardware or software issues before they cause downtime. User behavior analysis for better permissions control : AI tools can monitor how employees use systems and flag risky access patterns—helping prevent accidental data exposure or insider threats. Intelligent alert prioritization: Instead of flooding your IT dashboard with noise, AI filters and ranks alerts by severity—so real issues don’t get buried under false positives. Self-healing systems : In some cases, AI can detect and fix common problems (like restarting a frozen service) without any human involvement. These aren’t hypothetical tools—they’re already in use by MSPs and IT platforms supporting businesses like yours every day. 3. Productivity Gains with Tools You Already Have If your business uses Microsoft 365, you already have access to AI—and probably aren’t using it fully yet. Microsoft Copilot (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams): Draft emails, summarize meetings, or create reports with just a few clicks. Summarize long threads and documents Build presentations or clean up Excel data without formulas or formatting headaches. Outlook Suggestions : AI can suggest meeting times, draft responses, or flag important messages. Teams AI features: Transcripts, highlights, and action items from meetings—delivered directly after the call. These tools don’t require a tech degree to use—they just need someone to turn them on, configure them properly, and show you how to use them. That’s where we come in. Our job is to make it easy, secure, and practical for you so you can focus on what you know best…your business. Why Business Owners Shouldn’t Wait AI isn’t going away. And for businesses that get ahead of it, there’s a real opportunity to: Outpace competitors with faster decisions and smarter tools Protect against modern cyber threats Reduce costs through automation and efficiency Empower employees with tools that make work easier, not harder The good news? You don’t need a full-time IT team or a PhD in machine learning. You just need the right partner to guide you. Let’s Talk About AI for Your Business Curious about what AI could do for your business? Overwhelmed by options and don’t know where to start? Let’s fix that. Schedule a call with our team to discuss your business, your systems, and where AI could make the biggest difference—today and in the future.
The Real-World Benefits of Keeping It All In-House
For many businesses with up to 100 employees, in-house IT management is a constant balancing act for leadership. You need reliable technology, strong cybersecurity and fast support, but hiring an in-house IT team can be expensive and difficult to scale. Plus, simply making a quality IT hiring decision can be challenging when you or your team don’t possess excellent IT skills yourself. The key decision to keep IT in-house vs. outsourcing is often a financial one. Many business owners assume that keeping IT in-house is more affordable than hiring an IT Managed Service Provider (MSP)—but that’s not always the case. In fact, outsourcing IT to an MSP can provide real cost savings while also delivering substantial incremental value. Let’s break down the numbers of the outsourced MSP vs. in-house IT decision so you can make the best choice for your business. The True Cost of Hiring an In-House IT Team If you're considering hiring an internal IT person, it’s essential to understand the full cost of employment, not just the salary. Here's what you can expect to pay for a single IT manager (estimates only, may vary by geographic location):
In today's competitive market, efficient design and build processes are crucial for manufacturing and maintenance success. Partnering with an engineering services firm that utilizes the latest technology, software and tools can offer significant advantages.
Seifert Technologies recently partnered with the Stark Education Partnership (SEP), Fairless High School and Perry High School and provided a career day for the students. The objective was to provide an insight to local area high school students on the careers and opportunities available right here in Stark County. Our presentations focused on the services which we provide to our clients related to Engineering, IT, and Staffing. We featured interactive displays on Robotics, Machine Design, 3D CAD, PLC Motion Control, IT Infrastructure, Power BI, Software Development, and Career Services. Jaecey Hudson holds the position of Career Champion at Stark Education Partnership (SEP). Her role places her within several local High Schools including Fairless and she counsels the students on their career paths. Jaecey was instrumental in scheduling the day with Fairless High School. SEP is a catalyst, engaging and collaborating with education, business, civic and community stakeholders to drive sustainable improvement and innovation to provide all students with education and career success. SEP serves education, business, and community organizations in the Stark County region as a connector and partner. SEP collaborates with local foundations to ensure a continued focus on meeting emerging needs and works in complementary fashion with other nonprofits throughout the region. Stark Education Partnership’s vision to build generations of successful individuals who fulfill their potential and grow roots in Stark County is brought to life by engaging students in real-world workplace experiences. We also worked closely with the Robotics / STEM department at Perry High School to plan the day for these students. Stephanie Laskey and her team from Perry were the high school coordinators for the event. The Perry Local Project Lead the Way classes emphasize various engineering aspects, spanning from introduction to engineering design, computer manufacturing, digital electronics, aerospace engineering, to principles of engineering. Students were enthusiastic and actively involved in witnessing engineering principles in action at Seifert Technologies. They gained insight into the structure of engineering firms and the key attributes of successful engineers. They left Seifert Technologies with new information, eager to apply their newfound knowledge in the world of engineering. To learn more details about the services of Seifert Technologies, contact us at (330) 833-2700 or sales@seifert.com. Please visit www.seifert.com for more information on our full range of capabilities. For more information related to SEP, please visit www.edpartner.org .
Manufacturing can be traced back to the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution changed the way that manufacturers worked all over the world. There were inventions of new machines and technology. The new production made manufacturing cheaper, faster, and more efficient. The Industrial Revolution changed manufacturing for the modern world. In the First Industrial Revolution, which began in the late 18 th century was a significant change in human history. It transitioned to industrial societies, fueled by innovations in textile manufacturing, steam power, and iron production. This period increased efficiency in the mass production of goods. The invention of the steam engine led to the increase of railways. The First Industrial Revolution was the first step in modernizing the world. The Second Industrial Revolution is known as the Technological Revolution. This happened in the mid-19th century and was known for the adoption of electric power. This transformed the manufacturing process in steel. It led to the invention of the telegraph, telephone, television, and radio. Advancement in transportation was drastically improved leading to increased urbanization. The Third Industrial Revolution is known as the Digital Revolution. It happened in the late 20 th century with digital technology. This was the rise of the internet and digital computers. This changed the way people interacted with each other. The World Wide Web was developed. This led to the digitalization of every known modern aspect of life. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is referred to as Industry 4.0. This revolution is known for technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), 3D printing, and robotics. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is expected to have impacts on society to increase quality, production, and drive economic growth.
Phishing, Smishing, and Vishing are all ways that people try to get sensitive information from other people. They are all done in similar ways, but they have different ways of getting this information. It is important to know the difference between the three and how it looks when someone is getting targeted. Phishing Phishing is an online scam that gets sent to email accounts. It consists of getting sent a link or attachment from an unfamiliar email domain. When a user clicks on the link or attachment that is when the sender gets access to data. There are many different types of phishing to watch out for. Some of include spear, email, and whaling. Spear phishing is when someone specifically targets one person. They do this by adding their name, job, or social life. Whale phishing is when someone targets a big target like a manager, owner, or celebrities. They target these people since they have a lot of information on companies or other people. Smishing Smishing is a scam that gets sent as a text message (SMS). Scammers send a text to a target. The text that the target receives looks like a text from a trustworthy company. The scammers make the message look like it is the real company, and they send a link that they want the target to click on. There are different ways that these messages look. It can look like you won money or a prize. It can also look like a tax report or bank statement. Vishing Vishing is a scam where the target gets called over the phone rather than receiving a text message or email. The target is selected, and they call trying to convince them to download software for their device. How To Protect Yourself from All Three There are many ways to prevent these things from happening. Most importantly, do not click on links or attachments from unknown sources. Report suspicious emails, text messages, or calls that you receive. When you report these, you protect yourself and others from getting information taken. Seifert Technologies’ IT Division is your source for cybersecurity awareness. We are a registered agent of KnowB4 Products ( www.knowbe4.com ). These products implement sate of the art programs which: Send fully automated simulated phishing attacks, using thousands of customizable templates with unlimited usage Train your users with access to the world's largest library of always-fresh awareness training content AI-Driven phishing and training recommendations based on your users' phishing and training history Use Assessments to gauge proficiency of your users in security knowledge and security culture attitudes Easy user management using Active Directory Integration Contact our IT Service Team To learn more details about cybersecurity training contact us at (330) 833-2700 or sales@seifert.com. Please visit www.seifert.com/itservices for more information on our full range capabilities.
For over 10 years the team at Seifert Technologies has participated in the Toys for Tots program. Every year, our employees show their support by donating new toys which are then delivered to local area families. It is an awesome way to give back to our Stark County community. We also want to thank all of our employees for their wonderful donations. Way to go team!
Last month we celebrated a very special evening. Leslie Callahan, who has been with our firm since the beginning years, celebrated her 30th year with the organization. Team members from both our offices in Massillon and Nashville gathered to celebrate this well-deserved accomplishment.
At Seifert Associates, we have been meeting the challenges of hiring technical talent for decades. Finding the right candidate for the right position can be a challenge. Thus, we have put together a list of the top questions we get from HR and give ideas on how to overcome the challenges we face in today’s job market. What Are the Top Hiring Challenges Today? First, we must talk about current hiring challenges. Today, employers encounter new recruitment hurdles as the job market progresses. Employers' obstacles and difficulties arise when it comes to recruiting and hiring qualified candidates. These challenges can come in many forms, such as a shortage of skilled workers, a highly competitive job market, or a lack of diversity and inclusion in the hiring process. The rapid changes in both technology and the evolving job market also contribute to these hiring challenges. Employers must overcome these hiring challenges to attract and retain top talent, as well as build a thriving workforce to drive organizational growth and success. Here is a List of the Top Concerns for Hiring: Finding Quality Candidates Attracting the right talent for a technical position is an employer's foremost concern. The more skilled the requirements are, the more the employee is sought after. With a limited workforce and intense competition for top-tier candidates, employers struggle when it comes to finding technical talent. Along with that, employers struggle to engage with candidates who are not actively seeking a new position. We spoke about the importance of collaborating with a recruiter who has strong experience with finding technical candidates in a previous blog, which you can review HERE . Attracting the Right Technical Talent Another challenge that employers face is attracting the right talent for a technical position. Highly skilled candidates today look for more than just a competitive salary. Candidates want to collaborate with a company that has a quality work culture. But they also want to seek employment with companies who share the same values, as well as have great benefits and a good understanding of work life balance. In fact, 46% of job seekers cite company culture as very important when choosing to apply to a company, and a shocking 47% of employees cite that company culture is the driving factor when looking for a new job. Skills Gap and Training
