IT Director: In-House or Outsourced?

Employing a full-time IT director who can make sure your IT systems and processes are fit for purpose has never been more important, but it’s also an expensive undertaking. That’s when an outsourced, independent IT director service can be a huge help. But how do you know when it’s the right time to seek an experienced IT director’s expertise and what are the benefits of using an outsourced provider vs. recruiting in-house?   

The benefits of an in-house IT director

Although having a full-time IT director is an expensive way to fill your skills gap, it does provide several benefits. 

An in-house IT director will get to know how your business operates and understand your infrastructure inside-out. They’ll also know how your team use your IT systems so they can identify opportunities for improvement through tech and software development. As you grow, they’ll also be able to recruit and bring in fresh faces and new ideas to help you achieve your specific goals.

The downsides of an in-house IT director

The most obvious downside of hiring an in-house IT director is the expense. If you run a small business then you may not have the budget to hire a full-time or even a part-time IT director, with the associated recruitment costs, salary and benefits all to consider. There’s also the requirement for regular training to keep the IT director up to date on all the new tools and systems that can optimise the business. There may also be some knowledge gaps, with even the best in-house IT directors having areas they are inexperienced in.  

The advantages of an outsourced IT director

An undoubted benefit to your business is the ability to have C-suite skills on tap without the hefty salary requirements of an experienced IT director. You can choose to hire someone for a few hours or days every quarter to solve a particular problem, evaluate a new supplier, or work out how to optimise a business process. 

Outsourced IT directors will also have experience of what works well for other growing businesses in a variety of sectors. They will have solved all sorts of different problems and challenges, from short-term projects to long-term strategy development, and that can give them a broader spectrum of knowledge than an in-house IT director might typically possess.

Due to the varied nature of the role, they’ll also have up-to-date knowledge of many of the new innovations and ideas in the industry. Because of this, they’ll be able to provide strategic insights and mentoring to your in-house employees.